Careers

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Chief Operations Officer (COO), manages the fiscal operations of Information Technology (IT) and serves as a key liaison to the COO. Analyzes IT expenditures to identify opportunities for cost savings and standardization across the University. Provides financial oversight, develops budgets, and monitors spending. Prepares detailed reports and proposals, and formulates policies to establish new revenue streams. Oversees IT facility renovations, manages IT facilities and warehouse staff, and collaborates with campus offices to ensure effective maintenance operations.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for overseeing IT's financial operations, including budget planning for operating, capital, and revenue funds. Manages all fiscal functions such as budgeting, accounting, financial analysis, rate setting, accounts payable/receivable, capital projects, facility repairs, and contract administration. Holds signature authority for fund releases and solutions implementation. Oversees university funds exceeding $1M, revenue operations over $100K, and capital projects up to $10M.
• Collaborates with the COO to develop multiyear fiscal goals. Manages fund allocation, financial planning, payroll and budget analysis for IT. Develops, presents, and defends budget information to executive management and establishes procedures for annual budget preparation. Prepares budget proposals, coordinates review processes, and develops forecasts. Manages the MGHPCC budget, ensuring accurate and timely billing and financial reporting to member institutions.
• Negotiates and implements campus and system-wide IT licenses; develops pricing model for such licenses where required. Tracks usage to develop metrics and ensure compliance with relevant terms and conditions of the licenses.
• Develops initiatives and internal finance policies to implement strategic objectives related to establishing new revenue streams, billing, planning for projected deficits, financing major renovations, and resolving fiscal problems. Responsible for accuracy and timeliness of departmental financial reports including on-going improvement and clarification of these reports.
• Liaises with internal and external budget and audit agencies to ensure compliance with State and University financial regulations. Develops effective relationships with external agencies. Acts as the Chief Operations Officer liaison with campus offices (Deans, Budget Office, Controllers Office, President's Office) to facilitate processes. Coordinates ongoing training and investigates user reporting needs, pursuing new report creation as needed.
• Plans, designs and oversees all IT facility renovation projects. Oversight of staff responsible for IT facilities and warehouse operations including liaison with campus offices responsible for IT facility maintenance operations. Maintains working relationships with key campus offices such as Physical Plant, Facilities and Campus Planning, Space Management, EH&S, and public safety.
• Directs a centralized payroll and student employment process for IT, ensuring accuracy and adherence to University timelines and standards. Implements and maintains a standard time reporting process for both employees and student workers. Develops standardized salary rate metrics, establishes a student supervisor group, and provides leadership to ensure consistent hiring and employment practices across IT departments.
• Manages Enterprise Cellular Services. Develops business processes, streamlines workflows, reviews and revises policies, and monitors expenditures.
• Develops general business procedures to maximize efficiency and effectiveness, both within the department and for IT related processes across campus.
• Maintains confidentiality of all information related to IT employees and participates in sensitive HR/labor relations discussions.

Other Functions

Performs other related duties and special projects as business needs dictate.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Masters degree and 5 (five) years of progressive work experience in accounting or a related field; or a Bachelor’s degree and 7 (seven) years of progressive experience in accounting or related field. 
• Five years supervisory experience and strong supervisory, leadership, team building and coaching skills.
• Experience in the leadership of a complex organization, and responsibility for significant budgets, strategic planning, and regulatory oversight.
• Mastery of standard accounting principles and procedures.
• Technical aptitude with computer software including business process systems, databases, spreadsheets, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and data reporting. Ability to produce complex documents/reports, perform analysis, and utilize databases.
• Understands, is committed to, and implements University and departmental affirmative action and non-discrimination regulations, policies, and principles as appropriate.
• Effective communication skills both written and verbal, including public speaking; ability to communicate on various levels with key constituents, and staff at all levels of the organization.
• Able to deal with emergent situations and to work calmly under stress.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Experience working within a large, complex organization.
• Experience working within the public sector or a higher education institution.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday 40 hours a week. 
• Some nights and weekends may be required as business needs dictate. 
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position is non-unit, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees Non-Unit (Professional/or Classified) Employee Personnel Policy.

Salary Information

Salary is commensurate with experience. 

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage, please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.