Director of Finance & Divisional Finance Lead (0216U), Graduate Division Ops - #83630

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We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

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Departmental Overview

The Graduate Division works to guide and assist students from the moment of application for admission, through the various milestones of their progress, to the completion of their degree requirements. We provide academic, personal, and professional support services that are vital to the everyday well-being and life-long successes of Berkeley master's, professional, and doctoral students.

As the authoritative resource and chief advocate for graduate education, the Graduate Division ensures the equitable administration of policies governing graduate studies across Berkeley's 14 schools and colleges. As the administrative arm of the Academic Senate's Graduate Council, we partner with the faculty and staff of each program and the deans of each school and college to maintain the world-renowned quality of Berkeley's graduate education.

The Graduate Division is committed to expanding the diversity of Berkeley's student body and supporting students from all backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented groups, in their academic, personal and professional journeys. We're here to help you build community and make our campus your new home.

Our overarching vision in the Graduate Division is to not only expand the diversity of the graduate student body at Berkeley but also to ensure that our Black and other underrepresented graduate students have the tools, resources, and community of support they need to thrive in their graduate studies.

Learn more at grad.berkeley.edu.

Position Summary

The Director of Finance serves as the Graduate Division's functional financial manager and Divisional Finance Lead (DFL), independently overseeing and performing advanced analysis, forecasting, and resource planning for a complex $100M+ budget. The position develops and implements financial systems, reporting frameworks, and internal controls; evaluates financial risks and opportunities; and provides expert guidance on policy, budget strategy, and long-range planning. As a working manager, the role executes high-level analytical work while directing and training finance staff and advising departmental managers on financial practices and decision-making. The incumbent presents financial data and recommendations to senior leadership to inform strategic direction, ensure policy compliance, and support sustainable, mission-aligned resource allocation.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 01/22/2026. For full consideration, please apply by 02/04/2026.

Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Management

• Acts as the lead for all Graduate Division financial operations, directly performing advanced analysis, forecasting, modeling, budgeting, and reporting for a $100M+ portfolio.
• In partnership with the Chief Administrative Officer, executes high-level financial activities such as complex fund modeling, staffing commitment analysis, multi-year salary and FTE forecasting, and strategic planning.
• Develops, implements, and oversees financial systems, tools, processes, and reporting frameworks.
• Ensures that financial operations meet Controller's Office deadlines, maintain compliance, and align with internal controls.
• Provides functional direction and guidance to staff, ensuring consistent practices, accurate reporting, and adherence to university policies.
• Presents complex financial data, models, and multi-year projections to division leadership, translating analysis into clear recommendations that directly inform the Division's strategic direction, resource allocation decisions, and long-term planning.

Advanced Financial Analysis & Resource Planning

• Performs hands-on highly complex analytical studies, including scenario modeling, multi-year planning, variance analysis, and resource forecasting.
• Designs and maintains advanced financial models that integrate salary budgets, faculty start-up and retention commitments, enrollment trends, and academic policies.
• Builds the annual operating budget and forecast in CalPlanning; performs quarterly variance analysis and updates projections throughout the year.
• Generates and refines financial reports, dashboards, and decision-support tools used by leadership to guide long-term strategic priorities.

Policy Leadership & Internal Controls

• Serves as the Division's subject matter expert on university financial policies, budget rules, resource allocation principles, and internal controls.
• Develops and recommends internal procedures and policy improvements to strengthen financial stewardship.
• Ensures compliance with campus and systemwide policies, conducting analysis and advising leadership on risks, opportunities, and policy impacts.

Training, Communication & Functional Oversight

• Provides functional leadership by training staff, faculty, managers, and new hires on financial systems, processes, and policy application.
• Assesses training needs, develops tools and resources, and standardizes financial practices across the Division.
• Communicates policy updates, compliance requirements, financial processes, and the overall divisional fiscal status clearly to ensure transparency and consistency.
• Liaises with internal and external stakeholders, representing the Division in financial discussions and maintaining strong collaborative relationships.

Supervision and Functional Leadership

• Supervises 2 finance staff while continuing to perform high-level analytical and strategic work.

Participates in Graduate Division staff meetings, retreats and professional development.

Other duties as determined by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of finance policies, practices, and systems, and ability to communicate those to a variety of stakeholders with different levels of understanding of financial policies and systems.
• Ability to identify, collect, analyze, and report on complex data in an ever-changing environment.
• Expert ability to effectively communicate complex information to management both verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner, and adjust to changing economic conditions.
• In depth ability to use organizational skills to multi-task in a high-volume environment.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to function as a member of a team, and train new team members and managers.
• Advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Expert interpersonal and consultative skills requiring organizational savvy; expert service orientation and critical thinking skills; attention to detail.
• Expert ability using organizational skills to multi-task in a high volume environment.
• Advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $135,000.00 - $160,000.00.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is eligible for up to 40% hybrid work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.