The Assistant Dean & Chief Financial & Administrative Officer (CFAO) for the College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) serves in a senior leadership role within one of the campus’s largest, most research-intensive, and operationally complex academic units. CNAS supports a broad portfolio of instructional, research, agricultural, and public service activities and plays a central role in the campus mission through extensive research expenditures, contracts & grants activity, Agricultural Experiment Station administration, graduate and undergraduate instructional support, and complex academic and operational funding models spanning departments, Organized Research Units, and central campus partnerships. The Assistant Dean & CFAO serves as a principal advisor to the Dean, Divisional Deans, Department Chairs, and Program Directors in the areas of strategic planning, resource management, personnel management, organizational operations, space planning and utilization, financial stewardship, and other matters critical to the mission and operational health of the College. As a member of the Dean’s senior leadership team, the position participates in strategic planning, operational decision-making, resource allocation, and development of organizational priorities and operational direction for the College. The CFAO helps ensure effective resource management, operational continuity, and organizational effectiveness across a highly decentralized environment through leadership and oversight of operational planning, financial administration, budgeting, organizational analysis, internal controls, staffing strategies, compliance activities, and implementation of operational priorities across the College. The position serves as a hands-on operational leader for the College and provides direct leadership for college-level finance, human resources, academic personnel, payroll operations through Harvest Shared Services, and college-level information technology and operational systems activities. The College’s decentralized administrative structure includes approximately 10 administrative units with operations supported by Financial & Administrative Officers (FAOs) who serve as primary financial and operational advisors to Department Chairs and Directors. While these FAOs support their respective departments, they also maintain a collaborative and dotted-line reporting relationship with the CFAO in support of collegewide coordination, implementation of campus and college priorities, stewardship of College resources, and development of consistent administrative practices across CNAS. This position spans both strategic leadership and hands-on operational management within one of the campus’s most complex academic environments. The CFAO must build effective working relationships while providing clear direction, establishing operational boundaries, resolving conflict, and helping prevent operational, financial, or personnel issues from escalating unnecessarily. The full salary range for the CFAO is $143,000 - $285,000 annually. However, the expected pay scale for this position is $178,500 - $270,000 annually. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience, and other business and organizational needs. Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. Currently, we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff. As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. A presentation may be required as part of the recruitment process.
degree
Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
Required
experience
10 - 15 years of related experience.
Required
Must pass a background check.
required
Required
Advanced skills in strategy development, systems planning and change management. Progressively responsible senior level management experience. Knowledge of business & accounting operations in a large, complex, multi-faceted organization. Strong knowledge of common organization-specific and other computer application programs. Advanced project management skills, including the capability to manage capital projects. Excellent skills to work collaboratively and act persuasively in sensitive situations; skills in conflict management techniques. Advanced knowledge of administrative management theory and ability to translate knowledge into practice. Excellent ability to establish metrics for department and employee goals which measure effectiveness of contributions to efficient operations of department. Excellent leadership abilities to oversee multiple functions or departments through subordinate managers. Ability to work effectively & sometimes persuasively with all levels within the organization. Skills in establishing and implementing customer service standards. Excellent ability to establish metrics for department and employee goals which measure effectiveness of contributions to efficient operations of department. Advanced knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques; human resources and risk management planning; accounting and payroll. Advanced knowledge of contracts & grants administration, restricted fund management, AES/ANR funding and operations, gift and endowment stewardship, instructional and research support funding, and complex academic resource management practices. Demonstrated ability to rapidly assess complex situations, synthesize operational, financial, organizational, and policy considerations, prioritize competing demands, and implement practical solutions in fast-moving and often ambiguous environments. Demonstrated ability to establish operational boundaries, interpret policy in situations where guidance may be limited or conflicting, and support effective resolution of sensitive operational and organizational matters. Ability to build collaborative relationships with Financial & Administrative Officers (FAOs), Department Chairs, Program Directors, and administrative leadership in support of coordinated college operations and consistent administrative practices. Demonstrated ability to support organizational continuity and operational effectiveness during periods of organizational change, staffing transition, operational strain, or heightened institutional risk. Advanced knowledge of compliance practices, audit coordination and response, operational risk management, and internal control principles within a complex research university environment. Demonstrated ability to scope operational and information technology needs, support development of technology-enabled operational solutions, and work collaboratively with campus partners to improve access to operational data, reporting tools, and system functionality.
Advanced skills in strategy development, systems planning and change management.
Required
