Executive Director, Finance & Business Operations

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

In conjunction with the Chair and the Departmental Administrator / CFO (DA), the Executive Director (ED) is responsible for the overall finances for the Department of Pathology and Cell Biology. The ED performs financial analyses and modeling and directly assists in setting strategic goals for the department, improving financial performance and identifying areas of financial, clinical, and academic opportunity.

The ED will support the DA in coordinating and directing broad financial and management functions for the department in support of teaching, medical research, and clinical care.

A key part of this role is to provide management with guidance and tools to inform decision-making, based upon strategic financial planning and thoughtful analysis. The incumbent will inform executive management of the department's financial status on a regular basis, from a university perspective down to a divisional and / or program level. The ED serves as a liaison to university business offices of both the medical center and to NYP finance offices.

The ED will lead and direct the budget and finance team; manage the procurement and accounts payable business office; oversee clinical revenue cycle operations; and is responsible for sponsored project administration including pre- and post-award activities, recruitment and retention planning, clinical trials, subcontracts, and contracts. Will perform other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

40% Oversees Department budget, financial planning, and maintenance of financial services

• Provides the DA and senior leadership with a departmental operating budget including clinical practice, research and education, and fund balance activity. Maintains and enhances a complete and systematic set of financial reports to inform decision-making at various levels of the organization.
• Will oversee clinical revenue cycle operations with both internal and external teams to ensure optimization and process improvements / potential centralization
• Serves as a central liaison for the department for matters related to the department's budget and financial operations to CU and NYP finance offices.
• Advises, educates and serves as an internal consultant for departmental fiscal officers and senior management on budget and financial issues.

25% Forecasting and strategic planning

Ensures effective financial integration of sponsored projects and internally supported research operations into departmental budgeting and financial planning processes through coordination with the departmental research administrative staff .

• Provides project management support for new strategic initiatives and development of business plans to support justification of new business opportunities.
• Provides insight and creative problem-solving through thoughtful budget analysis, forecasting, and modeling.
• Maintains knowledge of developments and trends in finance and administration including technological advances.

20% Directs the path finance team

• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations.
• Sets the tone and direction for professional development activities and team dynamics.
• Oversees human capital planning.

10% Reporting and compliance

• Ensures compliance with all contractual, regulatory, hospital and university policy requirements.
• Collaborates with the various reporting groups and fiscal officers within the department to ensure all financial reporting and analysis is consistent, professional, and accurate.

5% Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent in education and experience, plus seven years of related experience. Master's degree preferred.

Other Requirements

• Requires an MBA in accounting or finance related field and ten years of progressively comprehensive experience in large complex organizations, preferably in a healthcare or medical school setting.
• Strong understanding of healthcare or medical school operations and finances including fund accounting, physician practices and grant finances.
• Demonstrated skills in problem assessment, and resolution and collaborative problem solving in complex, interdisciplinary settings.
• Strong customer service skills, demonstrating tact and sensitivity in stressful situations.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills.
• Must be a motivated individual with a positive and exceptional work ethic.
• Excellent oral / written communication, interpersonal, organizational, analytical and computer (e.g., Word, Excel, Power Point, other database software, etc.) skills.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, changing environment, take initiative, be flexible, and perform multiple tasks.
• Self-starter with a well-developed aptitude for quantitative analysis, capable of working with minimal oversight to set priorities, and problem solving.
• Work closely and effectively with a diverse group of senior administrators and faculty.
• Possesses experience in developing project plans and strong project management skills.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.