Assistant Director of Finance & Business Operations

Job Summary:

The Assistant Director of Finance & Business Operations serves as the senior operational finance leader for the School of Medicine (SOM) Dean's Office and is responsible for translating strategic priorities into operational execution. Reporting to the Business Affairs Director, this position provides executive-level leadership for the daily management of finance operations, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, resource planning, commitments, and operational business services.

This position serves as the operational counterpart to the Business Affairs Director by ensuring that financial priorities are executed consistently, teams are effectively led, and operational objectives are achieved. The Assistant Director develops leaders, establishes accountability, improves operational effectiveness, and creates a culture focused on execution, continuous improvement, and exceptional customer service.

The incumbent is expected to be both a highly credible finance professional and an experienced people leader capable of leading managers, mentoring emerging leaders, making complex operational decisions, and ensuring outstanding service delivery across the organization.

Position Purpose:

This position exists to:

• Lead day-to-day Finance, FP&A and Commitments operations.

• Build and develop a high-performing finance leadership team.

• Ensure operational excellence and accountability.

• Improve customer service across Business Affairs.

• Translate strategic priorities into operational execution.

• Strengthen financial stewardship across the organization.

• Develop scalable financial processes and internal controls.

• Serve as the operational leader for Business Affairs in the absence of the Business Affairs Director.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Finance Operations Leadership (30%)

  • Direct all daily financial operations.

  • Oversee annual budgeting and forecasting.

  • Lead labor planning and position budgeting.

  • Oversee monthly and annual financial reporting.

  • Review complex financial analyses.

  • Monitor financial performance and emerging risks.

  • Ensure compliance with University and School financial policies.

  • Establish service standards and performance expectations.

  • Resolve complex financial and operational issues.

  • Ensure timely completion of operational deliverables.

• Leadership & Organizational Development (25%)

  • Directly supervise finance leadership staff.

  • Coach managers and supervisors.

  • Build leadership capability throughout the organization.

  • Establish accountability measures.

  • Conduct performance management.

  • Develop succession plans.

  • Lead hiring and onboarding.

  • Improve employee engagement.

  • Develop training and mentoring programs.

  • Foster a culture of ownership and accountability.

  • Ensure managers effectively delegate work and develop staff rather than functioning as individual contributors.

• Financial Planning & Analysis (20%)

  • Lead long-range financial planning.

  • Develop financial forecasting models.

  • Perform scenario planning.

  • Evaluate financial performance trends.

  • Recommend resource allocation strategies.

  • Guide executive decision-making through sound financial analysis.

  • Improve forecasting accuracy.

  • Lead financial performance reviews with leadership.

• Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement (15%)

  • Standardize financial processes.

  • Improve internal controls.

  • Eliminate inefficiencies.

  • Reduce turnaround times.

  • Improve customer experience.

  • Develop operational metrics.

  • Lead process improvement initiatives.

  • Improve communication between Finance, Procurement, HR, and other Dean's Office functions.

• Executive Partnership (10%)

  • Translate strategic initiatives into implementation plans.

  • Lead implementation of executive priorities.

  • Represent Business Affairs on committees.

  • Present financial recommendations to executive leadership.

  • Coordinate cross-functional initiatives.

  • Serve as acting leader during the Director's absence.

  • Escalate strategic issues requiring executive attention while independently resolving operational matters.

Work Location:

Hybrid – this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of four (4) days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings.

Why Join Us:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a public education, clinical and research facility serving 4,500 students and a world-class medical destination at the forefront of life-changing science, medicine, and healthcare. CU Anschutz offers more than 42 highly rated degree programs through 6 schools and colleges and receives over $500 million in research awards each year. We are the single largest health professions education provider in Colorado, awarding nearly 1,450 degrees annually. Powered by our award-winning faculty, renowned researchers, and a reputation for academic excellence, the CU Anschutz Medical Campus drives innovation from the classroom to the laboratory to the delivery of unparalleled patient care. Read CU Anschutz Quick Facts here.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation, and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package, including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options

• Dental: Multiple plan options

• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision

• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay

• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year

• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)

• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)

• Holiday Days: 15/year

• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses

• ECO Pass: Reduced-rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

• Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.

  • Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis.

• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible finance leadership and supervision experience.*

• Three (3) years of experience leading budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and organizational finance.*

• Three (3) years of experience leading organizational change and operational improvement initiatives.*

*Experience may be obtained simultaneously.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA, MPA, CPA, CMA, or similar graduate degree or certification.

• Academic medicine or higher education experience.

• Experience managing large, complex operating budgets.

• Experience leading multi-level management teams.

• Experience developing emerging leaders.

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of financial management principles and practices, including budgeting, forecasting, financial planning and analysis, financial modeling, labor planning, resource allocation, variance analysis, financial reporting, and internal controls.

• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic priorities into clear operational plans, assign responsibility, establish timelines, monitor progress, and ensure successful execution.

• Demonstrated ability to provide senior operational leadership for complex finance functions and ensure the accurate, timely, and consistent delivery of financial services and work products.

• Demonstrated ability to prepare and present high-quality financial analyses, forecasts, reports, recommendations, and executive-level presentations.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial and operational information, identify risks and trends, evaluate alternatives, and develop practical, data-informed recommendations.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex and competing priorities, adapt to changing organizational needs, and ensure deadlines and commitments are met.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex financial and operational information.

• Demonstrated ability to supervise and develop managers, supervisors, and professional staff through coaching, mentoring, feedback, performance management, and succession planning.

• Demonstrated ability to lead hiring, onboarding, training, and professional development efforts that strengthen technical capability, leadership effectiveness, and team performance.

• Demonstrated ability to foster a collaborative, service-oriented, and results-focused culture that promotes ownership, continuous improvement, professional development, and trust.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Questions should be directed to: Adam Kanallakan, ADAM.KANALLAKAN@CUANSCHUTZ.EDU

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until the position is filled. For best consideration, apply by November 3rd, 2026.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as $89,208 to $128,638.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine-preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety-sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.