Director of Financial Systems & Planning

DIR, Finance

Master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and six years of appropriate experience or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and eight years of appropriate experience.

The Director of Financial Systems & Planning will serve in a hybrid role supporting both Finance & Accounting and Principal Gifts & Strategic Initiatives, reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Operations/Chief Financial Officer (AVP/CFO). This position will lead the change management efforts for Advancement’s Workday ERP transition and system alignment, in addition to providing financial modeling, projections, and strategic support for principal gift initiatives. The Director will collaborate with stakeholders across the enterprise to enhance financial reporting, inform decision-making using data and emerging technologies, and ensure alignment with institutional priorities.

ERP Implementation & Financial Systems Alignment

• Develop and deliver Advancement-specific training on Workday financial processes and related systems.
• Assist with transitioning reporting structures using Workday-specific fields, values and data architecture.
• Support the design and build of Foundation Accounting System 3.0 (FAS 3.0), including data mapping from PeopleSoft to Workday.
• Develop, document, and create Advancement-specific Workday reports and dashboards.
• Partner with stakeholders to ensure alignment across Workday, endowment administration tool and related financial systems.
• Support organizational readiness and change management efforts leading up to and following Workday go-live.
• Leverage AI-enabled tools to enhance system design, reporting automation and user adoption of Workday financial processes.

Financial Strategy & Modeling

• Familiarize with Principal Gifts needs and initiatives
• Lead business planning and financial modeling efforts for principal gift visioning and proposal development.
• Partner with academic, clinical, or university leadership to translate vision into financially viable philanthropic proposals, including helping units identify funding needs, pinpoint costs and timing for these needs and then scaling those needs for specific philanthropic asks.
• Assess operational, capital and endowment needs associated with proposed initiatives and growth strategies.
• Conduct scenario analyses evaluating gift structures, payout assumptions and long-term sustainability.
• Produce and refine financial projections, business plans and ROI analyses to support principal gift solicitation strategies, including rapid-turnaround projects. Work with unit accounting teams to build capacity for more philanthropic partnership.
• Develop multi-year financial models and projections to support eight and nine-figure principal gift proposals and campaign initiatives.
• Utilize AI-driven analytics and modeling techniques to enhance financial projections, scenario analysis and decision support for principal gift initiatives.
• Produce and manipulate complex Excel documents for funding needs around philanthropic visions.

Financial Reporting, Data Architecture & Insight Generation

• Review and analyze quarterly and annual financial reports, including underlying data structures and rollups.
• Evaluate and enhance financial reporting processes to improve clarity, consistency and usability.
• Support the evolution of data models and reporting frameworks aligned with Workday and broader system changes.
• Analyze and translate complex financial data into actionable insights for stakeholders across Finance & Accounting and Principal Giving.

Stakeholder Engagement, Planning & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Participate in campaign visioning and principal gift proposal discussions, providing financial perspective and guidance.
• Collaborate with finance, budget, legal and operational teams to ensure alignment with institutional policies and long-term planning.
• Leverage AI-enabled tools to enhance stakeholder communication, surface insights and support data-driven decision-making across cross-functional teams.
• Facilitate communication between functional areas to support coordinated execution of initiatives and system changes.

Commensurate with education and experience. The University of Florida offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Affordable State Health Plans: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Comprehensive Coverage: Life and Disability Insurance
• Secure Retirement Options: Generous plans to safeguard your future.
• Paid Time Off: Including 11 paid holidays, as well as family, sick, and vacation leave.
• Professional and Personal Growth: Opportunities through UF Training & Organization Development, leadership development, LinkedIn learning, and more
• PSLF Eligibility: We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligible Employer

The University of Florida offers a competitive benefits package. Click here to learn more.

Master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and six years of appropriate experience or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and eight years of appropriate experience.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• CPA licensure preferred.
• Experience in implementing and configuring a large-scale ERP, including setup and maintenance of financial structures, chart of accounts and accounting rules. Experience in the higher education or public sector ERP implementations is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to drive adoption of new technologies and systems, including leveraging emerging tools such as AI to enhance processes, improve decision-making and increase operational efficiency.
• Experience with unitized endowments, including the management and reporting of pooled investment funds.
• Strong understanding of financial processes, accounting principles and financial reporting, including the use of ERP tools for generating financial reports.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think through issues and provide alternate, well-defined solutions.
• Experience in change management, including developing strategies to facilitate organizational adoption of new systems and processes.
• Experience in developing and delivering end-user training and support materials.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on delivering high-quality results within established timelines.
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities and meet project deadlines.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal abilities, and the capacity to engage effectively and collaboratively with a wide range of individuals are essential.
• High-level proficiency in all aspects of Microsoft Office with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel preferred, including experience with pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, complex formulas, data analysis, reporting, and chart creation.
• Support the University’s commitment to creating a respectful and collaborative work environment that values integrity, professionalism, and mutual respect in all interactions.
• Proficient in the following areas: Windows operating systems, internet browsers and email platforms. Familiarity with donor databases, contact management systems, and tracking systems is also highly preferred.
• The ability and willingness to travel. A valid driver license and good driving record are essential.*

*Business expenses are reimbursed through a standard accounting system. The ability to pay for expenses using your own personal credit card or funds and have them reimbursed is essential.

In order to be considered for this position, you must upload a cover letter and resume with application. All application materials must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

Visa sponsorship(s) is not available for this position.