Manager, Academic Finance & Operations - Office… at Temple… · United…

Temple University's Provost’s Department is searching for a Manager, Finance & Operations!

Become a part of the Temple family and you will have access to the following:
A hybrid work schedule
Full medical, dental, vision coverage
Paid time off
9 Federally Observed Paid Holidays
3 Personal Days
Tuition remission - eligible employees and their dependents can obtain a degree TUITION FREE
A generous retirement plan and so much more!

Salary Range:
$58,580 - $70,000
A variety of important factors are reviewed by HR when considering salary, including job duties, the applicant’s education and experience, all relevant internal equity considerations, department budget, and funding source.

Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Vice Provost for Finance and Administration (VP) or delegate, the Manager, Academic Finance and Operations serves as a strategic and operational partner within the Office of the Provost’s shared services model. This role provides high-level support to academic and administrative units in the areas of finance, human resources, and operational planning. Working across units, the manager ensures consistent and compliant execution of university business processes, supports long-range budget development and financial analysis, and leads initiatives to improve operational efficiency.

The manager collaborates closely with Vice Provosts and Directors and serves as a liaison to central university offices, including Finance, HR, Research, and Facilities. They provide expert guidance on policy implementation, financial reporting, and administrative planning, contributing to both day-to-day operations and strategic decision-making. This position plays a key role in fostering consistent service delivery, supporting academic excellence, and advancing the university’s commitment to stewardship, transparency, and continuous improvement. This role ensures consistent and compliant execution of university business processes, supports long-range budget development and financial analysis, and leads initiatives to improve operational efficiency within their assigned portfolio.

This role functions within a shared services framework, meaning the manager may be assigned to support one or more academic administrative units. While all managers will share core financial and operational functions, specific responsibilities may vary depending on the portfolio’s size, complexity, and specialized needs. The Manager operates as the primary financial decision-maker for their assigned portfolio, exercising independent judgment on routine financial and administrative matters and escalating only complex or policy-sensitive decisions to the Vice Provost.

The ideal candidate will have strong collaborative and communication skills, a service-oriented mindset, and the ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on execution.

The Manager creates ad hoc financial reports for the Vice Provost and Department Directors; interacts with other University fiscal units and outside vendors on financial matters, including processing payments for students and faculty. Performs other duties as assigned.

* This position requires the following background checks: criminal history review.
* Please attach a cover letter and current resume.

Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, higher education administration, or related field.
At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in finance and administrative management, preferably in a higher education environment.
Demonstrated experience developing and managing six (6) to seven (7) figure budgets and human resources processes.
Experience managing or providing a high level of support to multi-unit program budgets.
Demonstrated experience managing budgets, human resources processes, and staff supervision.
Advanced knowledge of compliance requirements for multi-source funding, including grants, contracts, and philanthropic awards.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Preferred Education and Experience:
Master’s degree.

Required Skills and Abilities:
* Strong skills in financial modeling, analysis, and presentation.
* Proven ability to work in a matrixed environment and with multiple stakeholders.
* High emotional intelligence and ability to build relationships across diverse units.
* Adaptability and comfort with both ambiguity and structure-building.
* Commitment to inclusive excellence and equitable administrative practices.
* Ability to exercise discretion, use professional and independent judgement to make decisions and work independently with minimal supervision.
* Ability to develop and manage a budget.
* Ability to prioritize, maintain confidentiality, complete multiple budgeting tasks, and meet deadlines.
* Ability to interpret and apply University policies and procedures, including collective bargaining agreements (e.g., TUGSA).
* Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
* Project and team management skills.
* Understanding of HR policies and procedures.
* Excellent oral and written communication skills, along with the ability to effectively interact with a diverse group of students, staff, and faculty and all levels of administration.
* Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
* Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and databases.

Preferred Skills and Abilities:
* Knowledge of Banner, Kronos, Cognos.
* Experience supporting graduate student funding (assistantships, fellowships, scholarships).

Essential duties:
Core Responsibilities Across All Shared Services Managers:
These functions will be performed by all individuals in this role, regardless of assigned unit:

Financial Planning and Budget Management:
Develop, monitor, and reconcile operating and restricted budgets across assigned units.
Prepare multi-year financial plans and projections; lead annual budget submissions.
Provide financial analysis and advice to senior leaders on spending trends, deficits, and funding opportunities.
Approve financial transactions and maintain oversight of fiscal compliance.

Administrative Operations:
Oversee day-to-day business operations, including workflow approvals, purchasing, invoicing, and expense reporting.
Serve as a liaison to university central offices (Budget, HR, Purchasing, Controller’s, etc.).
Coordinate space planning, equipment ordering, and office needs as required.

Human Resources Support:
Prepare and process hiring requests, payroll forms, one-time payments, and reclassifications.
Coordinate onboarding and separation procedures for faculty, staff, student workers, and temporary employees.
Assist in HR functions such as hiring student workers and staff.
Track position control numbers (PCNs) and support unit leaders with organizational planning.

Compliance and Policy Alignment:
Ensuring financial and administrative practices are in compliance with university policies, sponsor requirements, and unit-specific needs.
Maintain internal controls and prepare for internal/external audits.

Reporting and Data Management:
Produce regular and ad hoc financial and operational reports.
Monitor financial data for trends, variances, and accuracy; recommend actions based on findings.
Maintain confidentiality due to exposure to sensitive and confidential data.

These functions may be assigned depending on the unit’s scope or mission. Managers may perform one or more of the following, based on portfolio needs:
Oversee program fee setting, billing, and reconciliation for study abroad programs.
Liaise with Student Financial Services and Bursar on international tuition, third-party billing, and scholarships. Coordinate tuition remission, stipend processing, and award disbursement for undergrad and/ graduate students in partnership
Administer, monitor, and reconcile university-wide graduate fellowship and scholarship programs (e.g., NSF, NIH, Fulbright, Bond Hill).
Support visa payments and travel logistics for faculty teaching abroad.
Manage international financial compliance and reporting (e.g., IIE Open Doors).
Support graduate assistantship appointments and ensure compliance with the university collective bargaining agreement.
Collect, analyze, and report data on award impact and student progress.
Manage grant-financed and non-credit program budgets (e.g., DestinyOne).
Coordinate with program leadership on fee-for-service activities and course budgeting.
Support summer programs, bridge funding, or unit-driven innovation initiatives.
Support event budgeting, stipends, and engagement-related purchases or contracts.
Process payments, honoraria, and contracts for academic programs, speakers, trainings, and events.
This position is assigned a hybrid work arrangement (on-campus and remote), the duration of this hybrid work arrangement is at the discretion of Temple University and the Department.

Temple University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all in every aspect of its operations, including employment, service, and educational programs. The University has pledged not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or veteran status.

Compliance Statement: In the performance of their functions as detailed in the position description employees have an obligation to avoid ethical, legal, financial and other conflicts of interest to ensure that their actions and outside activities do not conflict with their primary employment responsibilities at the institution. Employees are also expected to understand and be in compliance with applicable laws, University and employment policies and regulations, including NCAA regulations for areas and departments which their essential functions cause them to interact.

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You may request a copy of the report by calling Temple University’s Campus Safety Services at 215-204-7900.