Associate Director of IT Business Operations

Northeastern offers a rewarding working environment for our students and employees. Our faculty and staff are smart, dedicated people who work to create an excellent urban university experience for bright and motivated students.

Job Summary:

The Associate Director of IT Business Operations provides strategic leadership & oversight of University Technology Services (UTS) financial operations and project portfolio management. Reporting to the Chief Information Officer, this position is responsible for aligning financial planning, budgeting, and project prioritization with institutional goals and ensuring effective stewardship of IT resources.
The Associate Director supervises the Business Manager (Civil Service) & Project Manager (A&P), ensuring coordination between financial operations and project execution. This role exercises independent judgment in financial strategy, portfolio governance, and operational planning, and serves as a key advisor to UTS leadership on resource allocation, project prioritization, and organizational effectiveness.

Job Description:

• Provide strategic leadership for IT financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and multi-year financial modeling.

• Oversee development and monitoring of departmental budgets, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and initiatives.

• Review financial analyses, projections, and reports to inform executive decision-making.

• Advise the CIO and leadership on financial risks, trends, and investment strategies.

• Ensure appropriate financial controls and compliance with university policies and state regulations.

• Provide oversight of the IT project portfolio and Project Management Office (PMO) function.

• Establish and maintain project intake, prioritization, and governance processes aligned with institutional strategy.

• Review and evaluate project business cases, including cost-benefit and return-on-investment analyses.

• Monitor portfolio performance, timelines, risks, and resource utilization.

• Partner with the Project Manager to ensure successful delivery of projects and continuous improvement of PMO practices.

• Align financial planning processes with project lifecycle activities and resource allocation.

• Oversee coordination of budget development with project planning and execution timelines.

• Ensure accurate tracking and reporting of project-related financials.

• Provide integrated reporting on financial performance and project outcomes to leadership.

• Directly supervises the Business Manager (Civil Service – financial operations), Project Manager (Administrative & Professional – project execution and PMO).

• Establish performance expectations and provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development.

• Foster collaboration between financial and project functions to ensure operational effectiveness.

• Provide functional guidance and support during peak workload periods or critical initiatives.

• Support development and execution of UTS strategic and operational plans.

• Identify and implement improvements to financial processes, project governance, and operational workflows.

• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for financial and project operations.

• Prepare and present executive-level reports to senior leadership and governance bodies.

• Provide oversight of major vendor relationships, contracts, and financial commitments.

• Advise on procurement strategies and long-term vendor planning.
• Ensure alignment between vendor investments, financial planning, and project priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimal Qualifications:

Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance or a related field. Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, project management, IT operations, or related areas. Demonstrated experience managing budgets and/or overseeing project portfolios. Experience supervising staff or leading cross-functional teams. Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent. Experience in higher education or public sector environments. Experience with ERP and financial systems (e.g., Banner, Workday). Experience establishing or managing project portfolio governance or PMO functions and Smartsheets.

This position requires a background check.

Salary Range

$94,382.00

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Benefits

University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Service (CMS). Please visit our Employee Benefits page to learn more about our comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision benefits, sick and vacation days, and participation in the State Universities Retirement System.

Transcripts

Copies of unofficial transcripts are accepted; however, official transcripts for all earned degrees will be required of candidates selected for final interviews.

Northeastern Illinois University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and invites applications from Women, Minorities, Veterans and Persons with Disabilities, as well as other qualified individuals. Northeastern Illinois University's positions are contingent upon the University's receipt of its State of Illinois appropriation.