Executive Director, IT Finance & Administration

The Executive Director, IT Finance & Administration evaluates, administers, and directs all business and administrative matters including budget, operations, programs, and personnel administration for the assigned department. This position also provides financial analysis and strategic planning, as well as oversees the budgetary controls in partnership with various levels of management.

Core Responsibilities:

• Directs, implements, coordinates, plans for and evaluates the business operations for the department/division, which may include statistical, performance and managerial reporting, decision and budget support, capital planning, and process improvement.
• Develops and ensures adherence to department’s annual budget, in accordance with University guidelines and policies. Participates in financial analysis and planning including monitoring and reporting on monthly budget variances and opportunities to improve performance.
• Advances strategic financial plan and makes recommendations to senior management on how to best execute the department’s plan.
• Formulates department policies and guidelines to carry out the University and department mission.
• Oversees the review, approval and reporting of all expenditures. Reviews and approves financial transactions.
• Creates and manages support systems to assure availability of cost effective supplies, equipment, and management information.
• Monitors contractual obligations and ensures consistency with departmental budget, goals, and programmatic initiatives.
• Evaluates existing internal controls and approval processes, and makes recommendations on how to improve fiscal integrity and operational efficiency.
• Implements department human resources actions, which may include hiring, terminations, salary etc.
• Recruits, trains and prepares performance reports for staff.
• Establishes and continuously assesses the effectiveness of the internal controls within the unit and compliance with University policies and procedures.
• Ensures employees are trained on controls within the function and on University policy and procedures.

Department Specific Functions:

Technology powers everything from teaching and research to student success and institutional excellence. As the Executive Director, IT Finance & Administration, you will help shape how technology investments are planned, managed, and executed across the University of Miami’s academic enterprise. This is more than a finance leadership role. It is an opportunity to serve as a trusted advisor to University and IT leaders, guiding strategic decisions, driving operational excellence, and ensuring resources are aligned with the University’s mission and long-term goals. If you enjoy connecting strategy with execution, building strong partnerships, leading high-performing teams, and turning complex financial data into meaningful business insights, we’d love to hear from you.

In this role, you will:

• Develop and execute financial and operational strategies that support the University’s technology vision and align investments with academic, research, healthcare, and institutional priorities.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to University and IT leadership, providing financial insights, forecasts, dashboards, and recommendations that support executive decision-making and long-term planning.
• Lead all aspects of IT financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, variance analysis, capital planning, resource allocation, and year-end close activities.
• Oversee workforce and compensation planning, including personnel budgets, position management, costing allocations, payroll reconciliations, merit planning, and workforce forecasting.
• Direct software asset management, enterprise licensing, vendor relationships, contract negotiations, and technology investments to maximize value, compliance, and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure strong financial stewardship through oversight of operating, capital, restricted, and gift accounts, while maintaining appropriate controls, compliance, expenditure management, and approval processes.
• Partner with stakeholders across the University, including Finance, HR, Procurement, and FP&A, to support strategic initiatives, institutional planning, and data-driven decision-making.
• Lead departmental Workday financial operations, approvals, reporting, and business process administration while serving as a key liaison and subject matter expert for financial systems and processes.
• Drive operational excellence by improving processes, enhancing reporting capabilities, strengthening internal controls, and increasing organizational transparency and efficiency.
• Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and service excellence.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years progressive leadership experience in finance, operations, administration, technology, or a related business function
• Experience partnering with executive leaders and leading cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong financial stewardship, business operations, and strategic planning expertise.
• Ability to influence decisions, build relationships, and drive organizational outcomes.
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills.
• Experience with Workday preferred
• Experience supporting technology organizations or technology-enabled business operations preferred.
• Higher education, research, healthcare, or similarly complex organizational experience preferred.
• Background in budgeting, forecasting, organizational planning, and operational improvement preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
• Ability to maintain effective interpersonal relationships.
• Ability to manage a budget and work within the constraints of that budget.
• Ability to direct, manage, implement, and evaluate department operations.
• Ability to effectively plan, delegate and/or supervise the work of others.
• Proficiency in computer software (i.e. Microsoft Office).

Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience and/or certifications may be considered.

The University of Miami is recognized as one of the nation’s premier research institutions and academic health systems and is among the largest employers in South Florida.

With more than 20,000 faculty and staff, the University is committed to excellence and guided by a mission to positively impact the lives of students, patients, and communities locally and globally.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture where every individual feels valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully. United by shared values, the University community works together to build an environment defined by purpose, collaboration, and service.