Career Center

Reporting to the Executive Director, this position will be responsible for providing leadership and direction to the Arizona Student Unions business and finance teams and Meal Plans Office, for a growing department of approximately 250 career staff and over 1,000 student workers, overseeing millions in revenues that are expected to grow substantially in the coming years. This role will be responsible for managing the Unions' budget, performing financial analysis, forecasting, developing and making recommendations for operationalizing financial goals, and will have primary oversight of financial reporting and compliance with institutional requirements and best practices.

The Student Union Memorial Center is one of the largest student unions in the United States. At a size of 405,000 square feet, SUMC contains everything students need.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; state and optional retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develops the annual budget for the Student Unions and makes recommendations to the Executive Director
• Monitors departmental budgets monthly, ensures the department units operate within approved budgets and meet their expected budget targets
• Directs the annual departmental budget process in accordance with guidelines and time frames determined by the university's central Budget Office
• Evaluates and explores opportunities to upgrade/replace existing budget process and systems
• Reviews department and unit performance by analyzing and interpreting financial data, making recommendations regarding resource needs, including staff, capital equipment/ improvements, materials, and services
• Prepares forecasts of prospective revenues and expenditures for different scenarios and presents this information to department and division leadership; prepares cash flow projections
• Evaluates and explores opportunities to upgrade/replace existing processes and systems
• Supports and improves department operations through the development and implementation of short- and long-term strategic goals
• Partners in the development of new revenue sources and contract development with external parties, including the RFP process
• Evaluates and advises on the impact of long-range planning and introduction of new programs and strategies
• Reviews and monitors monthly financial statements and departmental accounting records for all operating entities
• Establishes and maintains procedures and internal controls for recording and reporting accurate accounting data, in alignment with institutional policy and best practices
• Coordinates and/or participates in internal and external audits
• Oversees year-end process and financial reporting
• Senior management oversight and support of Business and Meal Plan offices, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, cash handling, daily sales, and the Meal Plan program, which consists of thousands of student accounts and millions of dollars in revenue. Direct reports include Assistant Director, Finance and Assistant Director of Meal Plan Office.  Meets regularly to review and assess financial processes and outcomes, delivers information and direction from university central leadership (e.g., FSO, CFO, Budget Office, etc.)
• Reviews business and finance staff performance and provides feedback for improvement as needed.  Decision-making authority includes staffing, job changes, compensation, etc.
• Attends and represents department at campus financial committee (e.g., UFO) and division meetings to remain current with university financial trends and practices; ensures information is communicated to leadership, staff and appropriate parties within the department and division; establishes related expectations for staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting or related discipline, or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 7 years of related work experience, including 3 years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in business, finance, or accounting
• Professional financial certification (CFA, CPA, etc.)