Assistant Director of Housing - Business Services Director

Job Description

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Job Category:
Limited
Employment Type:
Regular
Job Profile:
Finance Director (B)
Job Summary:
The Division of University Housing at the University of Wisconsin - Madison is seeking an experienced financial professional for the position of Director of Business Services. University Housing is a forward-looking and innovative organization with a well-established tradition of excellence. This position reports directly to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration/Director of University Housing and is a member of the senior leadership team for the Division, as well as a highly visible partner on the university campus.

The Business Services Director for University Housing provides strategic vision, leadership, and oversight to ensure the long-term financial stability and operational effectiveness of the Division of University Housing. This position leads the Business Services team through the direct and indirect supervision of approximately eight employees and serves as a trusted subject matter expert for internal and external stakeholders, including campus committees, workgroups, and institutional leadership.

As a member of the Division's Leadership Team, the Director of Business Services contributes to the overall management of the Division, including policy development, strategic planning, and organizational decision-making. Leadership Team members are responsible for advancing the Division's mission, vision, and core values through collaborative leadership and strategic stewardship.

In addition, the Director serves on the Division's Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Executive Management Team, providing leadership and guidance to support business continuity, risk management, and organizational resilience initiatives.

Job Responsibilities
A. Directs strategic planning initiatives and establishes objectives for multiple finance functional areas to ensure appropriate use of financial, administrative, and staffing resources and alignment with the strategic plan
Provide strategic leadership of Housing's financial operations, including budget development, forecasting, capital planning, debt management, and long-term financial sustainability.
Direct accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting functions to ensure accurate financial management, analysis, and organizational decision support.
Ensure compliance and strengthen internal controls by overseeing financial policies, regulatory requirements, risk management, and audit activities.
Lead the development and continuous improvement of financial systems, processes, and procedures to enhance operational efficiency and accountability.
Supervise and develop financial and administrative teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement.
Serve as a strategic advisor and business partner to Housing leadership and stakeholders, providing financial analysis, recommendations, and guidance to support organizational goals.

B. Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
Provide a clear onboarding program for Business Services staff.
Demonstrate the ability and willingness to delegate effectively and to hold direct reports accountable; promoting the professional growth and development of the entire team.
Be a strong decision-maker, with transparency in decision-making and management; the ability to make good, consistent, and fair decisions.
Provide a comprehensive and continuous program to support retention of employees including professional development, training, and coaching for all Business Services staff.

C. Serves as a divisional representative and subject matter expert to institutional leadership and internal and external stakeholders providing financial direction and information, fostering collaborative relationships across multiple functional areas, and representing the interests of the division.
The ability to work with and support cross-functional teams and to foster teamwork.
Be proactive and positive; interact professionally with a diverse group of associates, peers, managers, suppliers, clients and customers.

D. Participates in the development, maintenance, and monitoring of automated financial information systems and budgets, and disseminates updates and results to leadership when appropriate.

E. Oversees, reviews, develops, recommends, and implements policies and procedures for internal and external financial reporting, budgeting and financial operations.

F. Serves on Divisional leadership team.
Member of the Executive Management Team (EMT) for University Housing's Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and is authorized and expected to activate COOP, as needed. Provide leadership and make decisions regarding emergency management and/or the COOP plan whenever the plan is partially or fully activated. Members of the EMT are expected to provide after-hours contact information.

G. Determines personnel needs and the personnel resource allocation plan.
Partner with Housing Human Resources to ensure a holistic plan for personnel resource planning and forecasting.

Work Schedule:
Primary schedule is 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Extra hours as priorities dictate. Schedule will be determined at time of offer. University Housing is a 24/7 operation and may require the Director to be available for late night or weekend work/events.
Key Job Responsibilities:
Serves as a divisional representative and subject matter expert to institutional leadership and internal and external stakeholders providing financial direction and information, fostering collaborative relationships across multiple functional areas, and representing the interests of the division
Participates in the development, maintenance, and monitoring of automated financial information systems and budgets, and disseminates updates and results to leadership when appropriate
Oversees, reviews, develops, recommends, and implements policies and procedures for internal and external financial reporting, budgeting and financial operations
Determines personnel needs and the personnel resource allocation plan
Directs strategic planning initiatives and establishes objectives for multiple finance functional areas to ensure appropriate use of financial, administrative, and staffing resources and alignment with the strategic plan
Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
Department:
Division of University Housing, Business Services

The Division of University Housing houses over 9,000 residents within 21 residence halls and 2,400 residents in three graduate and family apartment neighborhoods. University Housing's Dining program serves the residents of the residence halls, as well as all UW-Madison students, faculty, staff, and the public. University Housing's annual budget is just over $150 million dollars. Food is provided through a number of venues across campus, including dining markets, coffee shops, and convenience stores. The Division of University Housing employs over 475 full-time employees and 2,000 student employees. In addition, the Division's summer conference program hosts approximately 17,000 guests attending over 130 different programs.
Everything we do in University Housing is to ensure the success of our residents, guests, customers, and employees in their experience on this campus and beyond. Whether we're launching new academic support services, testing out a new recipe, renovating resident spaces, organizing welcome events, inviting a new summer youth camp, cleaning our facilities, or training our staff on new work skills, it's all done to serve our residents and to support the mission of UW-Madison.
Compensation:
The starting annual salary is $185,000 or higher based on qualifications with a competitive retirement and benefits package, including vacation, holidays, and paid time off. Benefits information can be found at (
https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/
)
Required Qualifications:
Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in Finance and Business Service leadership role(s) including supervision of finance and business services staff.
Three (3) years of supervisory experience.
Experience generating long-term financial forecasts for complex organizations.
A strong background in internal controls, financial information systems, budget, and customer service is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in Finance and Business Service leadership role(s) including supervision of finance and business services staff.
Experience in the financial leadership of a university housing system or other university auxiliary enterprise.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to exercise sound judgment decision-making based on accurate and timely analyses.
Understanding of business-related legal matters.
Experience presenting financial analyses and recommendations to senior leadership.
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, including the ability to explain complex financial information to non-financial audiences.
Education:
A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field is required. A master's degree in business administration/finance or related field is preferred.

CPA certification preferred.
How to Apply:
Please submit a resume and cover letter within the online application system. The materials should address your experience relating to the qualifications listed