Job Description

The Business Solutions & Analysis Team is comprised of a team of business officers who are highly trained and efficient in University business functions. This office sits in the Business and Financial Affairs Division. We strive to be a trusted and innovative partner delivering exemplary business services in support of the DU community.
Position Summary
The Senior Director of Finance and Operations reports to the Business Solutions and Analysis team and provides leadership and oversight for financial management, human resources, and operational functions across the assigned units, managing an annual portfolio budget exceeding $65 million. This role is responsible for leading a team that serves academic and administrative units and includes a manager and multiple business officers, ensuring all financial and HR transactions are processed accurately and in a timely manner. The Senior Director is the primary knowledge expert for their units' budgets and holds full responsibility for tuition and discount administration (when applicable) and financial forecasting/budgeting.
The Senior Director partners closely with University Leadership throughout the budget development process to ensure budgets are accurate, aligned with institutional priorities, and effectively managed.
Essential Functions
Team Leadership & Operations Management

• Lead and manage a team responsible for executing all financial, payroll, and HR transactions for the assigned units.
• Ensure operational excellence by maintaining high standards for transaction accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
• Collaborate closely with leadership to foster a high-performing team environment and cultivate a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement

Financial Oversight & Forecasting

• Responsible for tuition and discount management for academic units, ensuring proper application and documentation.
• Develop, maintain, and monitor financial budgets and forecasts for assigned units.
• Act as the subject matter expert for unit budgets, providing detailed knowledge and management of financial status with leadership.

Budget Development & Partnership

• Collaborate closely with University Leadership during the annual budget development process.
• Provide detailed financial analysis, data, and insights to support effective budget planning and resource allocation.
• Ensure budgets are realistic, compliant, and properly maintained throughout the fiscal year and support the University's strategic goals.
• Ensure all transactions comply with university policies, regulatory standards, and audit requirements.
• Prepare and organize documentation for audits and internal reviews.
• Address operational or compliance issues promptly to maintain process integrity.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Financial management expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and analysis for large, complex budgets
• Knowledge of HR and payroll processes, policies, and compliance standards
• Proficiency with ERP and financial systems (e.g., Banner, Salesforce, PeopleSoft) and reporting tools
• Leadership and team management skills for multi-layered operational teams
• Advanced data analysis and reporting skills using Microsoft Excel and Microsoft 365
• Skill in developing realistic, compliant budgets aligned with institutional priorities
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for partnering with leadership and cross-functional teams
• Ability to quickly resolve operational and compliance issues and make sound decisions in complex environments

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or related field
• Minimum 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial and administrative roles.
• Demonstrated experience managing large budgets ($30M+) and supervising multi-layered teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MBA, MPA, or similar).
• Experience in higher education or similarly complex organizations.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (Banner, Salesforce, PeopleSoft), and financial reporting tools

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) December 12, 2025.
Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.
Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 14.
Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $115,000-$130,000.
The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate's sex or any other protected status.
Benefits:
The University of Denver offers , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the .
Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's .
All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.
Advertised: December 05, 2025
Applications close: December 12, 2025

Skills Required