Director of SCL Finance & Administration

Student & Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters including public service, health, wellbeing, connection and belonging, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad.
Within the Division of Student and Campus Life (SCL), the SCL-OVP financial and operational support team ensures the effective deployment of Information Technology, Facilities, Accounting, Data-Driven-Decision Capabilities, Risk Management, Management/Financial Reporting, Data and Business Analytics, and Financial Planning support services to departments within the division. Working collaboratively as integrated cross-functional partners, leaders from the SCL-OVP support team strive to enhance day-to-day operational effectiveness, deliver timely business reporting and information to stakeholders, manage key divisional processes, and steward financial and capital resources on behalf of the SCL-VP.

   

Reporting to the Sr. Director of Divisional Finance and Administrative Business Operations, the Director of Finance and Administration is a key member of the leadership team and serves as the chief business partner and financial administrator for all allocated and administrative units in the division — including the Dean of Students, Campus & Community Engagement, the Einhorn Center, Cornell Careers, Athletics & Physical Education, Cornell Health, and the SCL Vice President's Office. This position provides direct oversight of financial and operational resources for complex units within the division with an operating budget of approximately $130 million, including all reporting and business analytics activity, general accounting, internal controls and financial planning. This role provides strategic guidance to the unit leaders and business managers, regularly partnering with divisional and department leaders to ensure effective management within each department, and also partners with the Sr. Director and/or the Associate Vice President of SCL, Operations and Enterprises on the development of key metrics, trend analyses, and financial projections in aid of resolution-making. The Director also serves as a strategic conduit between assigned unit leaders and SCL's administrative service teams — including Human Resources, Facilities, Accounting, and IT — and regularly serves as an ad-hoc member of the leadership team for each unit supported. The Director is directly involved in the capital planning process for supported units, working to ensure long-range financial plans provide the resources needed to support those capital project needs. The Director also serves as a backup/delegate for the Sr. Director as needed, and regularly interfaces with the SCL executive team, Associate Vice President, and Vice President. In addition, the Director oversees administrative services such as purchasing, payment processing, and travel processing managed through the MOU with the university Shared Services Center (SSC).

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

 

Success Factors

• Analyze business trends, behaviors, data, processes, and policies and connect this information to financial impacts and business/service opportunities
• Apply solid leadership and communication know-how in a complex, high-volume, ever-changing environment, this role can operate both proactively and collaboratively to plan, delegate and prioritize appropriately in order to help ensure confidence and stability when meeting competing established time frames from a variety of constituents
• Partner with department directors and business managers to create and evaluate forward-thinking business strategies that align with and support the unit and divisional mission
• Develop strong working relationships with key SCL divisional service providers (HR, IT, Business Services, Facilities, Alumni Affairs, Communications, etc.) to ensure allocated and administrative units are effectively supported and that divisional and university processes, initiatives, and strategies are communicated and implemented at the departmental level.
• Ensure that departmental staffing strategies, business plans, facilities projects, and forward-thinking initiatives are well-communicated, fiscally responsible, and in alignment with unit and divisional objectives and guidelines
• Advocate for continued synergies between university and divisional systems, processes, and goals and departmental needs, opportunities, and operational expectations

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business administration, financial management, operations management, personnel management or related field; at least 5 years of professional experience or equivalent combination of relevant experience and education required.
• Experience in strategic financial planning and/or sales analysis in a fast-paced and high-volume enterprise, business, or university setting
• Prior experience in navigating, implementing, and leveraging complex financial databases to review and report on company/unit performance
• Customer service skills and demonstrated ability to communicate (both written and verbal) with a broad range of clients, constituents, and customers. 
• A high level of organizational skills, time management skills, and attention to details.
• Strong analytical, creative problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
• Must possess a strong teamwork philosophy and knowledge of how to motivate staff in a fast- paced work environment, with a devotion to fostering a culture of inclusion.
• Ability to work quickly, effectively under pressure, and use sound ethical judgment in accomplishing tasks that are urgent or of a highly sensitive or confidential nature; balance conflicting priorities, and make decisions from a range of choices.
• Experience implementing new systems, policies, procedures, and best practices, and ability to collaborate with others to assist in change management tactics

• Proven experience connecting inclusion, belonging and wellbeing practices to business goals. 

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA, CPA, or additional educational certification or experience relevant to the field

• Prior experience in the field of higher education or in a campus setting

• Strong working knowledge of university budgeting and accounting policies and practices, personnel policies and procedures, and conflict management and contract negotiating practices

• Experience with developing complex analytical models
• Experience working with internal and external auditors

   

University Job Title:

Administrator VI

   

Job Family:

Administration

   

Level:

H

   

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

   

Pay Range:

$150,167.00 - $183,537.00

   

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

   

Company:

Endowed

   

Contact Name:

Caleb Yu

   

Contact Email:

[email protected]

   

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Current Employees:

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter.  You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected].

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected].

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing [email protected].

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-10-07