Operations and Finance Manager

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University.

Hiring staff for fit makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

BASIC FUNCTIONS :

The Operations and Finance Manager is responsible f or managing the financial processes and associated administrative f unctions of the REDCAM of f ice under the direction of the Director of Finance.

This responsibility includes driving the timely execution of contracts, purchase orders, invoices, and all other associated financial f unctions.

This responsibility also includes maintaining up-to-date awareness of the status of projects as it relates to financial actions required and keeping well-ordered and complete records.

The purpose of the Manager is to ensure that REDCAM creates and effectuates best -in-class financial processes and meets all financial requirements f or each capital project on time.

Key to this role is the ability to develop an effective working relationship with colleagues within the REDCAM team who are directly responsible f or the direct management of capital projects, relationships with vendors and commercial partners, and / or internal operational activities.

It is also key to this role to develop effective working relationships with relevant University of f ices such as the Of f ice of Procurement and Contracting and Accounts Payable.

NATURE AND SCOPE :

The Operations and Finance Manager will also work closely with REDCAM vendors to help ensure that all necessary reporting and payment are timely and complete, that any contract changes or new contracts are developed and executed in a quick and quality manner, and that ultimately the University is in full receipt of goods and services a vendor is contracted to provide in the most cost-effective manner.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES :

• Ensures that REDCAM financial processes are efficient, well-documented, and timely.
• Maintains complete, accurate, and up-to-date awareness and records of all contractual and financial activities required by REDCAM projects, partnerships, and operations.
• Delivers routine and ad hoc updates and reports on the status of REDCAM contracts, purchase orders, invoices, and any related financial process.
• Supports the Director of Finance in the analysis of current project and general REDCAM financial accounts, as well as the projection of potential deficits and the solving of budget gaps.
• Monitors and manages contract execution in partnership with REDCAM colleagues and the Office of Procurement and Contracting.
• Monitors and manages timely pay out of invoices in partnership with REDCAM colleagues and Accounts Payable.
• Partners with other University offices to ensure REDCAM is meeting University standards and policy as it pertains to financial management.

CORE COMPETENCIES :

• Contracting and Procurement : Provides full cycle oversight and management of specific contracts and procurement.
• Maintains and ensures completeness of all required documentation.
• Financial Management and Budgeting : Analyzes budgets corresponding to REDCAM projects and operations, including current and past trend in all areas of revenue, operational expenses, and capital expenditures.
• Systems-Thinking and Operations : Builds awareness of and adeptness at navigating all steps of financial processes at Howard.
• Identifies and implements opportunities for process improvement. Ability to provide strategic oversight and management of tasks, workflows and requisite resources as necessary for projects.
• Ability to detect and monitor environmental risks to ensure quality assurance / control and safety. Ability to implement, monitor and regulate procedures, tasks, or activities to achieve the targeted results.
• Teamwork : Increases the effectiveness of departmental teams through collaboration, continuous learning and supporting others.

Sensitive to diversity in all its forms.

• Respects and is committed to learning from others.
• Ability to motivate and engage employees through effective communication and coaching.
• Conflict Management : Ability to use appropriate interpersonal skills and methods to reduce tension and resolve conflict in difficult and complex situations to achieve resolution or adherence to laws and / or regulations.
• Communication and Customer Service Skills : Communicates clearly and compellingly with diverse stakeholders in both oral and written forms;

anticipates and responds to customer needs in a high-quality and courteous manner.

• Commitment to Equity : Passionate about serving diverse populations at all levels in a professional and culturally aware manner regardless of background or social / economic circumstance.
• Building Trust : Ability to create a work environment that encourages others to practice respect, demonstrate open communication, and promote accountability.
• Organizational Sensitivity : Ability to understand the institution’s mission, the function of the specific work unit and how it works with other work units to serve the campus and surrounding communities.
• Civic Sensitivity : Ability to understand the impact and implications of decisions on Howard student residents, the Howard workforce, and key stakeholders.
• Adaptive Creativity : Excels in constantly changing environments and adapts flexibly in shifting projects or priorities to meet the needs of a dynamic transformation effort;

comfortable with ambiguity and non-routine situations.

Problem-Solving : Approaches work with a sense of possibility and sees challenges as opportunities f or creative problem-solving;

takes initiative to explore issues and find potential innovative solutions that are of benefit to diverse interests and populations.

Accountability : Ability to be relied upon to ensure that projects within areas of responsibility are completed in a timely manner.

Ability to monitor programs and / or activities and take corrective action when necessary.

• Dependability : Does whatever it takes to consistently deliver with high quality under tight deadlines; successfully manages projects through strong organization, balancing of multiple priorities, detailed work plans and specific goals.
• Objectivity : Ability to make decisions without regard to personal prejudices, biases, and experiences.
• Stress Tolerance : Ability to deal with high stress situations calmly and effectively.
• Decision Making : Knowledge of and ability to use effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions and / or reaching conclusions.
• Ability to take action consistent with available f acts, constraints, and anticipated consequences.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS :

Graduated from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree business administration, finance, or related field.

A minimum of five (5) years of extensive, progressively responsible professional experience in business administration, finance, project management, or related field.

Experience in lieu of education will be considered if candidate can effectively demonstrate the ability to manage and administer large and complex contracting and financial projects.