About this role
Job Summary
At Purdue University, your work can help advance one of the nation's leading colleges of agriculture while supporting the teaching, research, Purdue Extension and engagement activities that address some of the world's most important challenges. As the Director of Financial Affairs, you will serve as a strategic financial leader and trusted advisor to the Dean and college leadership, helping drive informed decisions that support Purdue's mission and long-term success.
In this highly visible leadership role, you will oversee financial management and business operations across a diverse portfolio with approximately $270 million in annual operating and grant expenditures. You will provide strategic guidance, lead a high-performing finance team, and ensure responsible stewardship of university, state, federal, sponsored, and donor resources while advancing operational excellence and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities Include
- Provide strategic financial leadership and business oversight for the College of Agriculture's academic, research, and engagement operations.
- Serve as a key advisor to the Dean and college leadership, offering financial analysis, recommendations, and guidance on strategic initiatives and their financial impact.
- Direct the management and administration of approximately $270 million in annual operating and grant expenditures.
- Oversee budget development, forecasting, financial planning, reporting, and analysis to support informed decision-making.
- Ensure the proper administration, utilization, and reporting of federal, state, university, sponsored, and other funding sources.
- Lead business improvement initiatives that strengthen operational effectiveness, efficiency, and service excellence.
- Develop and oversee recharge rates and financial models for units across the college.
- Authorize and approve financial transactions and business activities in accordance with university policies and regulations.
- Interpret and apply University, Federal, State, and sponsoring agency policies, procedures, and requirements.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Assistant Directors, Business Managers, and support staff, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
- Build strong partnerships with college leaders, faculty, staff, central business offices, and university stakeholders.
- Identify emerging risks, opportunities, and financial trends to support the college's evolving priorities and long-term success.
What Sets Us Apart This role offers the opportunity to influence decisions at the highest levels of one of Purdue's largest and most impactful colleges. You will help shape financial strategy across a broad portfolio that supports groundbreaking research, student success, global engagement, and innovation in agricultural, food, life, and natural resource sciences. As a member of the college's leadership team, you will work alongside university and college leaders to solve complex challenges, drive meaningful change, and ensure resources are aligned with strategic priorities. The scope, visibility, and impact of this position create a unique opportunity to contribute to initiatives that extend well beyond campus and positively impact communities across Indiana, the nation, and the world.
What We're Looking For
- Required: Education and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree.
- Eight years of experience in business management, finance, accounting or related field.
- Skills Needed: Demonstrated quantitative analytical skills and ability to solve complicated problems with little or no precedential guidance.
- Excellent leadership, strategic thinking, communication (oral & written), problem-solving, organizational, project management, process management, and customer service skills.
- Ability to analyze, interpret and implement University policies and procedures.
- Ability to influence and build work relationships among a workforce at all levels.
- Able to foster a participative supervisory style that utilizes teamwork to successfully guide the work of others.
- Must possess a learning orientation to changing technology impacting business processes, e.g. SAP, etc.
- Personal computer and related software skills (spreadsheet, word processing, internet, database, etc.).
What is Helpful: A degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or related field. Advanced degree or certification such as an MBA or CPA. Additional Information: To learn more about Purdue’s benefits summary CLICK HERE Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position A background check will be required for employment in this position FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime) Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions immediately Career Stream Management 5 Pay Band S090 Job Code #20002554 Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university.