Associate Director, Finance

University of Wisconsin-Madison

. Provide budget and financial support for academic and non-academic support units across the College of Engineering .

Posted 10/14/2026full-timeMadison • Wisconsin • United StatesSenior💰 $125,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in budget management, financial reporting, and compliance with financial regulations. Proficient in utilizing ERP systems and financial information systems to support academic and non-academic units effectively.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Budget ManagementFinancial ReportingAnalytical SkillsStaff SupervisionWorkday Experience

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Budget PreparationFinancial AnalysisSpreadsheet ProficiencyActivity-Based Budget ModelingMetric-Based Budget ModelingFinancial ForecastingFinancial ControlsAutomated Financial Information SystemsGenerally Accepted Accounting PrinciplesFiscal Policy Interpretation

Soft Skills

Problem-Solving SkillsCommunication SkillsRelationship BuildingAdaptabilityTraining Development

Tools & Technologies

ERP SystemsSpreadsheetsPivot TablesDatabases

Industry Keywords

Higher EducationFinancial ComplianceBudget Process CoordinationFinancial PlanningGrant Management

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

ERP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide budget and financial support for academic and non-academic support units across the College of Engineering
Report to the Associate Dean for Finance & Administration
Collaborate with the Finance team, college leadership, and department and unit administrators
Develop financial reports, budgets, and forecasts
Establish financial controls to manage resources effectively and according to applicable policies and procedures
Monitor and coordinate the annual budget process
Coordinate fiscal year-end closing
Conduct future financial planning and projections
Monitor budget-to-actual expenditures
Recommend action on budget and forecasting questions
Ensure the college’s financial plan aligns with the College Strategic Plan Framework
Supervise two key members of the finance team
Plan, schedule, and direct financial operations, budgets, allocations, and compensation plans
Participate in maintaining and monitoring automated financial information systems, accounts, and ledgers
Implement personnel resource allocation plans, including hiring, training, supervision, and resolution of personnel issues
Develop and monitor gift funds
Direct solicitation, review, and awarding of funds from grant programs and integrated research projects
Interpret, disseminate, and implement fiscal policies and procedures
Ensure compliance with financial rules, regulations, and guidelines
Represent and communicate financial data to broad audiences
Implement initiatives through coalition-building and influence without direct authority
Provide training, continuous improvement, and subject matter expertise in budget and financial management

Requirements

What you’ll need

High level budget or financial experience
Experience preparing budgets, financial reports, and spreadsheets
Experience interpreting and analyzing financial data
Ability to continuously maintain eligibility to work in the United States
Ability to provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field is preferred
Extensive years of budget or financial experience preferred
Higher education experience preferred
Workday experience preferred
Staff supervisory experience preferred
General knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and applicable university, state, federal, and non-federal rules and regulations preferred
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills preferred
Ability to independently determine priorities preferred
Skills in ERP systems, spreadsheets, pivot tables, and databases preferred
Experience with activity-based and metric-based budget modeling preferred
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships preferred
Ability and willingness to learn and adapt to new systems preferred
Ability to develop and provide training preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

Partially remote work arrangement, with up to 2 days remote and 3 days onsite after the initial 3-month training period
Remote work eligibility
Equal opportunity and inclusive work environment
Disability or pregnancy-related accommodations during the hiring process
Potential flexibility based on experience and qualifications through negotiable starting salary