Manager of Financial Operations, Center for Continuing and Professional Studies

About Fashion Institute of Technology:

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), part of the State University of New York and an internationally renowned college of art, design, business and technology with a strong emphasis on liberal arts, invites nominations and applications for a Manager of Financial Operations.

Job Description:

Reporting to the Executive Director of the Center for Continuing and Professional Studies (CCPS), the Manager of Financial Operations, serves as a key financial and operations leader. This role requires strong leadership skills, with the ability to manage and supervise staff, providing strategic oversight and direction for all financial and operational functions within the department.

Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Financial Management

• Manage and provide strategic oversight of the department's financial functions and daily operations, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and fiscal accuracy.
• Supervise daily financial operations, including monthly reconciliation, quarterly report preparation, fiscal year-end closing, and conducting various financial analyses.
• Oversee program-level P&L analysis and ensure accurate budget reporting, providing detailed financial insights.
• Manage and monitor the department's Other Than Personnel Services (OTPS) expenditures, ensuring compliance with financial standards.
• Assist in the pre-award process by developing budgets, completing the necessary forms for various funders, securing required college approvals, and ensuring timely submission to meet grant/contract deadlines.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director to plan and optimize resource allocation, address funding issues, and recommend process improvements.
• Support the post-award process by allocating and tracking budgets, reconciling financials, and forecasting throughout the life of the grant/contract to prevent budget discrepancies, while processing any needed financial adjustments.
• Process purchase requisitions for supplies and equipment, complete internal service requests, and assist with travel and business expense report management.
• Act as a key point of contact with Accounts Payable, Academic Affairs, Bursars, and Sourcing/Procurement to troubleshoot and resolve financial issues efficiently.
• Ensure adherence to contract requirements and government reporting standards, utilizing financial management tools to track and report compliance.
• Oversee weekly, monthly, and quarterly assessments of the department's financial performance, comparing actual results against budget, financial, and operational goals.
• Prepare and present both short- and long-term financial and managerial reports, providing comprehensive insights for decision-making.
• Oversee monthly financial reconciliation processes and ensure the timely generation of quarterly and year-end financial reports.

Operations and Facilities Management

• Act as the primary representative for CCPS on planning and design committees for major capital projects, ensuring alignment with departmental goals and objectives.
• Serve as a liaison between CCPS and FIT's IT divisions, including Information Technology, Instructional Technology, and Software & IT, facilitating communication and collaboration on technical needs and solutions.
• Create and oversee project timelines for departmental improvements, ensuring timely and efficient delivery of projects within scope and budget.
• Partner closely with Space Planning, Facilities, Buildings and Grounds, and Information Technology to develop and implement plans for the renovation and construction of spaces, ensuring optimal use and functionality.
• Assist the Executive Director in preparing proposals for facilities upgrades and renovations, providing detailed information and recommendations for project scope and budgeting.
• Gather cost estimates from Facilities and IT departments, and work with the Budget Office, Purchasing Department, and external vendors to coordinate financials and procurement processes.
• Oversee the Other Than Personnel Spending (OTPS) aspects related to facilities improvements, ensuring accurate tracking and efficient allocation of resources.

Administration

• Manage and streamline administrative operations to ensure the department runs efficiently and effectively.
• Evaluate and improve the support services for each functional unit (HR, IT, Budget, Facilities, EHS, Space Management), fostering better coordination and communication across units.
• Lead initiatives within the management team to promote operational excellence, contributing to the department's long-term success and continuous improvement.
• Assist in maintaining up-to-date personnel records for both full-time and part-time staff, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Provide assistance with various tasks and special projects, including gathering data for annual reports, managing event logistics, and handling ad-hoc projects as needed.

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position; other duties may be assigned consistent with the classification of the position.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or other related field.
• Three (3) to Five (5) years of appropriate business experience, including expertise in financial management, accounting, or budget experience.
• Demonstrated success in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong leadership abilities with proven experience in managing and supervising staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree preferred.
• Five (5) to ten (10) years of relevant business experience.
• Prior experience in an academic or educational setting.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Proven ability to manage people, foster high performance, and create a supportive, collaborative work environment.
• Strong ability to communicate ideas clearly and effectively, both in writing and verbally, fostering smooth collaboration across teams and stakeholders.
• Previous experience managing multiple projects, meeting deadlines, and ensuring smooth execution through effective time management.
• Adept at fostering teamwork and cultivating a positive, inclusive management style that encourages collaboration.
• Proven ability to work independently to achieve objectives while thriving in team settings and resolving conflicts under pressure.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on early risk identification, swift problem resolution, and adaptability to changing priorities.
• Proven ability to handle sensitive data with integrity, ensuring privacy and confidentiality.
• Proficient in Excel, Word, Outlook, and Access for managing data and communication effectively.
• Knowledgeable in navigating government contracts, regulations, and general management processes, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency.
• Previous experience in budget creation, financial tracking, and bookkeeping to maintain financial integrity and alignment with project goals.
• Commitment to maintaining the highest level of professional and ethical standards within a diverse work environment.

Additional Information:

Please note all offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of the background check process.

Salary

Salary: $88,606.32 per year

The UCE-FIT Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) dictates the compensation, benefits, and conditions of employment. Hiring Salary: $88,606.32 per year with step increments per Salary Schedule 95, after one year of service and annually thereafter.

Job Title
Executive Assistant/Concierge (CBA)

Work Schedule

When programs are not in session- M-F, 9am-5pm, in person;
When programs are in session- T-S, 9am-5pm, in person;

Work schedule subject to change based on needs of the department.

Benefits

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) provides comprehensive employee benefit programs designed to help keep our faculty and staff and their families healthy, safe, happy, and productive. Our programs also include a variety of components to help our employees improve the quality and balance of their work and family lives, and to help them prepare for their futures.

• Retirement Plans
• Health Care Plan and Dental Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Account
• Commuter Benefit Plan
• FIT Tuition Exemption Program
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Personal, Sick and Holidays)
• 4-day Summer Workweek
• Qualifying Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

For a full list of FIT benefits, visit our benefits webpage.

Pay Equity by State Employers

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.

Visa Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship by the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

FIT is firmly committed to creating an environment that will attract and retain people of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds. By providing a learning and working environment that encourages, utilizes, respects, and appreciates the full expression of every individual's ability, the FIT community fosters its mission and grows because of its rich, pluralistic experience. FIT is committed to prohibiting discrimination, whether based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military service status, genetic information, pregnancy, familial status, citizenship status (except as required to comply with law), or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. FIT is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, including the opportunity for upward mobility for all qualified individuals. Applications from minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged. Inquiries regarding FIT's non-discrimination policies may be directed to the Chief Diversity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, 212 217.3360, titleix@fitnyc.edu.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

The working conditions for this position will be on campus, primarily in an office environment. The physical requirement for this position will require constant sitting, constant standing, frequent bending, frequent walking, and occasionally lifting 10 lbs. or less.