EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ENTERPRISE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
Apply NowCompany: University of Washington
Location: Seattle, WA 98115
Description:
As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state, and around the world. UW employees bring their energy, creative problem-solving skills to their work and are dedicated to building stronger minds and a healthier world. UW is Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, your experiences, perspectives, and unique identities will be honored at the University of Washington. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
Finance, Planning, and Budgeting (FPB) encompasses the major central financial, planning, and budgeting functions for the University of Washington, including:
Finance & Budget Strategy
Institutional Analytics & Data Support
Policy, Planning & State Operations
University Business Services
The Executive Director of Enterprise Business Solutions (EBS) oversees a team within Finance, Planning, and Budgeting (FPB). The team oversees Workday's financial features (HCM, FIN & Adaptive), which include grant and contract accounting, payroll, banking and accounting, student fiscal services, procurement, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, budgets and forecasts, and reporting systems.
The Executive Director role requires leadership and guidance to inspire team members to approach their work enthusiastically, creatively, and committedly. Fostering and maintaining excellent working relationships to achieve short-term and long-term objectives is a critical responsibility. Overseeing daily operations within a collaborative team environment is vital to ensuring the achievement and surpassing of productivity targets.
The ideal candidate who ensures the team is well-equipped with thorough knowledge while driving long-term strategic initiatives and optimizing the use of the Workday platform. This role involves managing the enhancement roadmap, staying current on functionality updates, and collaborating with API partners to align with our company's long-term goals.
Excellent business acumen and exceptional communication skills are essential for diplomatically communicating what is feasible. Additionally, the ideal candidate will foster a team culture centered on positivity, accountability, and excellence.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical Leadership in a Cloud-Based System
Leverage deep expertise in business processes and technical interdependencies, ensuring alignment with foundational design concepts, data structures, and workflows.
Lead complex Workday configuration changes across Finance modules, including Procurement, Grants, Banking/Settlement, and Central Finance/Accounting.
Oversee analysis of the Workday Finance roadmap, working with stakeholders to prioritize and manage system updates.
Support Workday update cycles by managing testing activities and ensuring smooth transitions.
Manage over $1 million in staff resources, optimizing their allocation to meet project goals.
Represent Workday Finance in major projects, coordinating resources, stakeholders, and ensuring seamless implementation while maintaining operational functionality.
Evaluate processes, identify improvement opportunities, and implement enhancements within a continuous improvement framework.
Collaborate with key stakeholders for new implementations and system optimization initiatives, including Financial Transformation (FT) and other major projects.
Team Leadership
Provide technical leadership and mentorship, fostering a high-performance, collaborative team environment.
Recruit, develop, and manage staff, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and evolving business needs.
Oversee performance management, resource planning, and staff development to maintain a skilled and motivated workforce.
Operational Support
Develop and implement best practices for operational efficiency and system capacity planning.
Lead or assist in resolving complex technical issues, providing advanced troubleshooting and clear communication of solutions.
Drive the resolution of high-priority system issues while balancing competing demands and deadlines.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Information Management, Computer Science, Engineering or related field and 7 years of experience.
OR Masters degree in Business Administration, Information Management, Computer Science, Engineering and 5 years of experience in the following.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
To include 3 years of progressively responsible leadership/management experience; demonstrated commitment to developing others to become leaders.
Experience working in the Workday domains with increasing responsibilities in project management and supervisory responsibilities.
Experience managing development / configuration teams is a cloud-based SaaS (Software as a Service) environment.
In-depth knowledge across the range of business processes.
Ability to understand business and technical design considerations and facilitate problem solving/issue resolution in the context of a customer service framework.
Understanding of related integration processes.
Demonstrated success in facilitating work groups.
Ability to communicate clearly, in writing and in verbal presentations, to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to create and assimilate business process documentation.
Extensive experience interacting with customers, including resolution of complex inquiries and efficient performance during high-volume timeframes.
Experience supporting system testing and/or data validation activities.
Create a culture of inclusion and equity throughout the team while supporting the overall culture of FPB.
Demonstrated experience in working on diverse groups and teams; respects, values, and contributes to FPB and UW's commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master's degree in Business Administration, Information Science, Computer Science, Human Resources or related field.
Experience working with Finance systems and the configuration and maintenance thereof, including experience working specifically with Workday Finance.
Experience in Workday Cross Applications such as Security, Reporting, HCM, etc.
Experience leading in a customer focused shared services environment.
Workday Certification(s): Financial Management; Human Capital Management; Integrations; and/or Experience as an implementation partner.
Working experience executing relevant business processes in a higher education environment.
Experience in the use of customer support infrastructure tools, including a case management system, knowledge base and associated reporting tools.
Experience with process improvement including tools and approach (e.g. Lean, Six Sigma, etc.).
Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.
Finance, Planning, and Budgeting (FPB) encompasses the major central financial, planning, and budgeting functions for the University of Washington, including:
The Executive Director of Enterprise Business Solutions (EBS) oversees a team within Finance, Planning, and Budgeting (FPB). The team oversees Workday's financial features (HCM, FIN & Adaptive), which include grant and contract accounting, payroll, banking and accounting, student fiscal services, procurement, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, budgets and forecasts, and reporting systems.
The Executive Director role requires leadership and guidance to inspire team members to approach their work enthusiastically, creatively, and committedly. Fostering and maintaining excellent working relationships to achieve short-term and long-term objectives is a critical responsibility. Overseeing daily operations within a collaborative team environment is vital to ensuring the achievement and surpassing of productivity targets.
The ideal candidate who ensures the team is well-equipped with thorough knowledge while driving long-term strategic initiatives and optimizing the use of the Workday platform. This role involves managing the enhancement roadmap, staying current on functionality updates, and collaborating with API partners to align with our company's long-term goals.
Excellent business acumen and exceptional communication skills are essential for diplomatically communicating what is feasible. Additionally, the ideal candidate will foster a team culture centered on positivity, accountability, and excellence.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical Leadership in a Cloud-Based System
Team Leadership
Operational Support
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.