Salary/Position Classification

• $105,000+ annual, Exempt
• 40 hours per week

Purpose of Position

The Director of Finance & Management is a senior director-level leader responsible for strengthening business and financial planning in alignment with the strategic goals and growth priorities of the NPUASTS. The Director of Finance leads the organization’s financial management and business administration functions, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, internal controls, compliance, and strategic financial analysis that informs executive decision-making.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Finance & Management serves as the organization’s principal advisor on financial strategy, sustainability, and business risk. This role translates strategic objectives into disciplined financial plans, evaluates short- and long-term funding scenarios, and provides clear, decision-ready financial insight to leadership, program teams, and funding partners. The Director ensures the integrity of financial operations through strong governance, reliable reporting, and continuous improvement of financial processes.

The Director of Finance & Management works collaboratively across NPUASTS and with University of North Dakota financial and administrative partners to ensure institutional alignment, sound fiscal stewardship, and scalable practices that support mission execution. The position also provides oversight of grants, contracts, and procurement administration through direct supervision of the Grants, Contracts & Procurement Manager, ensuring lifecycle compliance, audit readiness, and business practices that enable effective delivery of programs and services.

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Planning and Oversight of External Funding

• Establishes, directs, and maintains finance and accounting processes and procedures that support accurate, transparent, and compliant financial operations
• Ensures financial processes are clearly documented, communicated, and consistently applied across the organization to promote accountability and alignment with NPUASTS mission and values.
• Ensures compliance with appropriate financial and accounting standards, and any State of North Dakota requirements, as required for the scope and work of the organization. Regulatory compliance includes but is not limited to 2 CFR 200.
• Oversees preparation, review, and approval of financial reports in a timely manner, and delivered in clear and concise analysis and summaries.
• Provides executive-level guidance and decision support related to resource allocation, capital planning, and financial sustainability across all divisions and programs.
• Leads financial forecasting, scenario modeling, and data-driven analysis to evaluate strategic alternatives, assess risk, and inform executive decision-making.
• Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, and other relevant financial activities of the organization.
• Responsible for overseeing and leading daily transactions and recording.
• Responsible for overseeing and leading management of all budgets.
• Responsible for resolving transaction discrepancies.
• Analyses and reports on financial variances and trends.
• Liaison and work collaboratively with related UND departments.

Strategic Planning and Stewardship of Internal Funding

• Serves as a trusted advisor to the executive leadership team, directors, program managers, and project managers on financial matters that impact budgets, funding strategy, and organizational risk.
• Develop goals and strategies related to the financial management of the organization in alignment with strategic goals.
• Leverage accounting and financial systems to identify trends and report information to help understand economic and societal impacts.
• Designs and approves new financial reporting artifacts as needed/requested to support strategic initiatives and special projects.
• Provides financial leadership and analysis in support of special initiatives and executive-directed projects.
• Leverages other human resources for creating efficiencies and automation for managing and reporting financial information.
• Monitors and provides recommendations of local funds or other financial assets under control of the organization.
• Participate in strategic planning discussions.

Leadership and Personnel Management

• Directly supervises and develops staff reporting to the position, including responsibility for team structure, workflow management, performance evaluation, and professional development.
• Provide strong leadership that conveys NPUASTS commitment to highest levels of operation for administration, management, employees, and users of the NPUASTS.
• Provide mentoring and direct supervision of NPUASTS personnel.
• Evaluate the structure and organizational plan for continual improvement in effectiveness and efficiency of financial systems and teams.
• Represents NPUASTS in meetings, conferences, and professional development activities relevant to financial leadership and organizational growth. 

Financial Efficiency and Continuous Improvement

• Leads identification and implementation of process improvements, efficiencies, and best practices related to financial management.
• Drives development and adoption of improved financial strategies, controls, and systems in coordination with internal and external partners.
• As it relates to finance/budget, review staffing, departmental performance, and efficiencies to make improvement recommendations for financial processes.
• In coordination with UND HR/Compensation Analyst and the Executive Director, participate in salary review processes based on data received from UND HR Partners.
• As a UND employee, it is expected to treat one another and the public in a cordial, civil, and respectful manner and at all times, practice the principles of honesty, respect, integrity, and trust in order to respect the diversity of all peoples; communicate in a professional, positive, and respectful manner; and exhibit ethical behavior.

Required Competencies

• Strategic Financial Leadership: Demonstrated ability to translate organizational strategy into sustainable financial plans, forecasts, and funding models.
• Financial Governance and Compliance: Expert knowledge of financial controls, regulatory compliance (including 2 CFR 200), and institutional fiscal policies.
• Executive Decision Support: Ability to provide clear, data-driven financial analysis and recommendations to executive leadership and governing stakeholders.
• Budgeting and Resource Allocation: Proven capability to oversee complex, multi-source budgets and make informed resource allocation decisions across programs and divisions.
• Risk Assessment and Scenario Modeling: Skilled in identifying financial risk, evaluating tradeoffs, and modeling strategic alternatives to inform long-term planning.
• Organizational Stewardship: Strong commitment to fiscal responsibility, transparency, and ethical financial management.
• Leadership and Talent Development: Ability to lead, mentor, and develop professional staff while building effective financial teams and systems.
• Process Improvement and Operational Efficiency: Demonstrated success driving efficiencies, automation, and continuous improvement in financial operations.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Effectively partners with program, operations, policy, and university stakeholders to align financial strategy with mission execution.
• Communication and Influence: Communicates complex financial information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including executives, funders, and institutional partners.
• Ability to implement strategy, align resources and people to achieve goals, and build and lead a multidisciplinary team

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or relevant field
• 5 years of progressive experience as Chief Financial Officer, Financial Officer, or relevant role; or MBA and 2 years of progressive experience as CFO, financial officer, or relevant role
• Proficient in the use of financial management software and accounting computer applications systems
• 2 years of experience in budget preparation
• Experience with accounting and transaction recording
• Experience with financial management
• Experience with interpretation and application of Federal and State regulations, including Uniform Guidance (federal guidance for grants and agreements)
• Valid Driver’s License
• Export Control Compliance:
  This position requires compliance with U.S. government export control laws and regulations. Applicants are required to be eligible for employment under U.S. export control laws and must meet the requirement of being a “U.S. Person” (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C.1324b (a)(3)). UND will not sponsor applicants for employment authorization for this position. Information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. export control laws and will be used in compliance with all laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or relevant field
• Experience with NDUS financial systems including PeopleSoft (HRMS, Finance), and Jaggaer
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation, Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) designation, Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM)
• Experience with corporate financial law and risk management practices
• Supervisory experience
• Experience at non-profit, university and/or government institutions