Working Title: Financial and Operations Manager - School of Professional and Continuing Education
State Role Title: Financial Services Specialist II
Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)
Position Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime
College/Division: School of Professional & Continuing Education
Department: 100066 - Professional & Continuing Education
Pay Band: 5
Pay Rate: Pay Range
Specify Range or Amount: 58,000 - 61,000
Is this a JMU only position? No
Is this a grant-funded position? No
Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No
Beginning Review Date: 07/03/2026
About JMU:
At James Madison University (JMU), we’re more than just a publicly funded institution — we’re a vibrant, welcoming community located on a stunning campus where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive. Our mission is to prepare students for a bright future, and we believe that starts with supporting the people who make it all possible: our employees.
Why Work at JMU?
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional journey and personal wellbeing:
- Generous Leave: Enjoy paid vacation, sick leave, parental leave, community service leave, and 19 paid holidays annually.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access high-quality health insurance options that fit your needs.
- Retirement Options: Plan for your future with retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System.
- Employee Well-Being: Our Balanced Dukes program promotes wellness and work-life integration through resources, events, and support.
- Tuition Waiver Program: Advance your education with our tuition waiver program for undergraduate and graduate courses taken at JMU.
At JMU, we believe in Being the Change — and that starts with creating an environment where you can grow, contribute meaningfully, and feel supported every step of the way.
Discover what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment
General Information:
JMU's School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) fosters learning across lifespans through transformative education and enrichment. SPCE offers a range of programs, including youth camps, adult degree completion, professional and workforce development, and lifelong learning, as well as partners with academic units across JMU to support a number of online or off-campus degree and certificate programs.
SPCE seeks a Finance and Operations Manager to provide strategic oversight and guidance on all of SPCE’s fiscal processes, including budgeting, fiscal reporting, reconciliation, and forecasting. As a self-supporting unit, SPCE’s financial operations are complex, dynamic, and multi-faceted, and we are seeking an experienced fiscal manager to advise and support SPCE leadership in financial and revenue generating activities.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Financial and Operations Manager
Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the School of Professional & Continuing Education’s (SPCE) self-supporting financial and operational portfolio. This position serves as the school’s chief financial and operations strategist, shaping long-term fiscal planning, resource allocation, and operational effectiveness in alignment with JMU’s mission and SPCE’s strategic plan. Responsibilities span personnel and non-personnel budgets for programs across multiple colleges and schools, Sponsored Programs, and a variety of public/private partnerships. This role operates at an elevated strategic level focusing on long-range financial planning, cross-university partnerships, and enterprise-level operational strategy to ensure SPCE remains financially strong and operationally agile as it expands its impact across JMU, the Commonwealth, and beyond.
Strategic Budget Leadership and Financial Planning
Directs the development, implementation, and monitoring of multi-million-dollar operating and program budgets across SPCE and university partner colleges.
Designs sophisticated financial models and scenario-planning tools to guide strategic decision-making and enrollment planning.
Serves as a key member of the SPCE senior leadership team, delivering timely and actionable fiscal intelligence to inform immediate decisions and long-range strategies.
Partners closely with the SPCE’s Dean and Associate Dean and partner Deans to evaluate program and partner budgets for sustainability and return on investment, ensuring alignment with JMU¿s strategic and financial objectives.
Ensures compliance with all state, federal, and university fiscal regulations while establishing and continuously improving internal controls and auditing processes.
Financial Management, Analysis, and Policy Development
Functions as SPCE’s chief fiscal officer, coordinating and evaluating complex budgets across multiple funding streams and university partners.
Advises program directors and academic leaders on financially sound practices to support enrollment growth and long-term program viability.
Develops and communicates financial policies and procedures that meet state, federal, and JMU requirements, ensuring transparent and timely dissemination to stakeholders.
Oversees revenue distribution to academic units and partners, ensuring accuracy and strategic alignment.
Leads the preparation of high-level financial reports, forecasts, and technical analyses for internal and external stakeholders.
Operations, Facilities, and Staff Leadership
Provides strategic oversight for SPCE’s operations and facilities, supervising 2 full-time staff positions, by providing leadership, coaching, and professional development opportunities.
Ensures the operations team proactively identifies and addresses facility and operational needs to support program and operational excellence.
Oversees key HR and operational processes, including ePARs, PARs, and PAWs for instructor and staff compensation.
Builds a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, empowering staff to streamline processes and enhance service delivery across the school.
Qualifications:
Fiscal management experience, including reporting, audits, reconciliation, and budgeting
Exceptional skills in Excel, data management, and forecasting
Experience in human resources and supervision
Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and visual)
Strong attention to detail, and ability to present complex data to multiple stakeholders
Additional considerations:
Experience in higher education
Experience with state purchasing systems and regulations
Experience with PeopleSoft Student Administration, HR, and Finance
Additional Posting Information:
Conditions of Employment:
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
EEO Statement:
James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
Reasonable Accommodation:
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or [email protected]. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.
