Assistant Dean of Finance and Administration

Assistant Dean of Finance and Administration

Bookmark this Position Posting Print Preview | Apply for this Job

 Posting Details 

Job #  | 042375
Department Code  | 21201-2010
Department  | School of Management
Job Title  | Assistant Dean of Finance and Administration
Location  | Syracuse, NY
Campus  | Syracuse, NY
Commitment to On-Campus Experience  | Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in-person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.
Pay Range  | $156,000 - $217,000
Pay Determination  | Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.
Staff Level  | S6
FLSA Status  | Exempt
Hours  | Standard University business hours

8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)
Hours may vary based on operational needs.
Job Type  | Full-time
Unionized Position Code  | Not Applicable
Job Description  | The Assistant Dean of Finance & Administration serves as the senior financial executive overseeing the financial management, planning and analysis, and main administrative functions of the Whitman School of Management. Reporting to the Dean, this role is responsible for planning and execution of comprehensive fiscal operations, financial modeling for decision making, monitoring of key performance indicators, operational management, and related policies, procedures and internal controls for an approximately $150 million annual budget.

The Assistant Dean is part of the senior leadership team of the Whitman School, while also partnering with the senior finance and budget team of Syracuse University, to advance Whitman’s academic mission and growth objectives. This position will lead and support an organizational culture of modern financial management, including stewardship of tuition and gift accounts, clear data analyses and tracking, making recommendations for executive decision making, forecasting and identifying/evaluating opportunities for improvements and growth; budget preparation, management and reporting; coordinating administrative functions across teams; ensuring compliance with institutional and accreditation policies and regulations; and continuous process improvement and assessment.

Education and Experience  | MBA or equivalent advanced degree relevant to the position preferred, with professional certifications in related areas being a plus. 10+ years of financial planning, analysis and management experience. Strong analytical, financial, and operational management skills. Demonstrated organizational excellence of leading people within a modern and efficient FP&A environment, leveraging technological tools, advanced data analysis, and data visualization to drive informed decision-making and operational effectiveness.

Skills and Knowledge  | Leadership and strategic and operational experience, including knowledge of best practice regarding efficient and effective usage of existing financial resources. Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making skills, with an ability to think critically and strategically about financial impact. Extensive knowledge of financial models, revenue streams, and regulatory frameworks, preferably within higher education or similarly complex environments. Strong understanding of endowment and gift management, capital project financing, financial oversight, risk assessment and budgets. Excellent technical proficiency, including related to analytics and data visualization. Proven experience with leading high-performing budget teams, including performance management and accountability. Outstanding collaboration skills and excellent verbal and written communication, including ability to be both concise and detailed, and working with a variety of stakeholders. Need to be proactive and forward thinking, including ability to emphasize problem solving, multi-task multiple priorities and secure stakeholder buy in. Positive attitude and willingness to continuously improve.

Responsibilities  | Strategic financial planning & analysis Oversight of and leadership over Whitman’s budget (approximately $150M annually). Develop, maintain and refine a comprehensive multi-year financial plan for Whitman, including sensitivity analyses and due diligence; analyses of income and expenditure patterns and capital expenditure needs; forecasting; internal controls, external grants and contracts, and budget execution. Create financial models and analytics for decision making to support Whitman’s strategy, projections and priorities. Contribute financial and operational insight into academic policies and practices. Evaluate financial and operational requests from units and centers, including staffing patterns and needs, and how they contribute to Whitman’s goals. Communicate clearly and transparently about critical issues relying on data visualization. 
Operational excellence Identify and track performance across a select group of KPIs that are tied to institutional goals. Build and maintain dashboards and other communication tools to report on these KPIs. Identify process improvements, conduct financial feasibility studies and pricing strategies analyses, examine net impact of opportunities, develop processes, policies and internal controls for stewardship of endowment and gift accounts (in conjunction with Advancement team and other offices), manage space and infrastructure plans and needs (such as IT), and special projects; includes forecasting, risk assessment, and compliance.
Management & representation Direct supervision of Whitman staff administrative leaders and their direct reports in Budget, Administration, Faculty Support, IT and Facilities. Create culture of continuous improvement and training to program leaders. Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including acting as a liaison to a variety of offices within Whitman and across Syracuse University, notably the central budget team.
Fund management Assess fund management (restricted and unrestricted) to ensure proper usage in line with intent and restrictions. Fiscal stewardship of endowments and gifts in conjunction with Advancement team. Other duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements  | Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment  | Not Applicable
Application Instructions  | In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University  | Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About the Syracuse area  | Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement  | Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans  | Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community  | Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.

Quick Link  | https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/111457
Job Posting Date  | 11/04/2025
Application Deadline  |
Full Consideration By  |
Job Category  | Staff
Message to Applicants  | 

Applicant Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

621 Skytop Road | Suite 1001 | Syracuse, NY 13244 – 5300 | 315.443.4042
© 2017 - Syracuse University, All Rights Reserved. | Accessibility | Privacy | Accreditation | syr.edu