Director of Finance and Operations at Stanford University in STANFORD, California

Job Description:

Director of Finance and Operations🔍Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford, California, United States📁Administration📅Jul 25, 2024 Post Date📅104047 Requisition #

About Us

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is made up of a three-part structure to drive global impact: Our academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet and people; Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges; The Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale. The school is dedicated to creating and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, and to creating solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.

For more information on the school, click here.

We are seeking to hire a Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) for the Earth and
Planetary Sciences (EPS) department. Geoscientists study the properties of minerals, rocks, soils, sediments and water, using multiple lenses -- stratigraphy, paleobiology, geochemistry, and planetary sciences. This work informs our understanding of natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and floods. It helps us meet natural resource challenges through environmental and geological engineering, mapping and land use planning, surface and groundwater management, and the exploration and sustainable extraction of energy and minerals. It also helps us answer fundamental questions about the origin, history, and habitability of planets.

The Earth and Planetary Sciences department has 33 faculty and staff, and approximately 60 students and postdoctoral scholars. The director is the primary liaison with other offices within the School and the university and also serves to represent the department and its administrative concerns as appropriate. This position reports jointly to the Department Chair and the Senior Associate Dean for Finance and Administration.

If you are highly motivated, up for a challenge and know how to get things done, this position may be the right career opportunity for you!Make your impact with us!

Your Responsibilities will include:

General Administration

Responsible for the accuracy and integrity of the department's business processes and practices, and their consistency with University and School policies and guidelines.

Financial Management

Direct all fiscal operations for the department, including:

Development of budget plans and resource allocation in response to departmental needs and goals.

Oversee day-to-day financial management of individual accounts and transactions, ensuring that all relevant regulations and policies are adhered to, appropriate cost controls are in place and necessary records are maintained.

Personnel Administration

Responsible for all departmental personnel activities, including:

Manage departmental administrative staff and/or acts as administrative supervisor in cases where administrative staff report directly to faculty.

Work closely with School Human Resources and central offices in administering various personnel functions.

Oversee personnel transactions for faculty, staff, students, post docs and others.

Provide administrative support for faculty recruitment, appointment and promotion procedures.

Research Administration

Manage proposal development and submittal process; supervise the staff who work closely with the PI and OSR to ensure that agency requirements and university policies are adhered to.

Oversee post-award processing and awards management, working closely with OSR, the PI and other relevant entities. Establish mechanisms whereby projects are managed effectively from award through project close-out, including all necessary financial reporting.

Student Services

Supervise the Student Services Officer, and provide day-to-day oversight, ensuring that effective support is provided to the department's students and academic program. This includes oversight of: admissions, allocation of financial aid, and coordination of teaching program (courses and degrees, time schedule, etc.), and services to graduate students.

Facilities and Property

Responsible for space planning and allocation for all faculty, staff and students.

Ensure appropriate maintenance of all department facilities and equipment

Serve as the department representative on all facilities and renovation projects

Oversee and coordinate faculty and staff moves within departmental facilities

Maintain/manage current department space and equipment inventories.

To be successful in this position, you will need:

Education & Experience:

Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience in administrative and financial management, or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills including conflict resolution. Excellent planning and organizational skills. Excellent communication skills.

Strong financial expertise in accounting, budget planning and financial forecasting.

Ability to work well with all Stanford colleagues

Demonstrated ability to establish credibility and trust with diverse groups, including faculty, staff and students

Strong expertise in grants and contract administration.

Strong interpersonal skills.

Attention to detail and accuracy.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Strong skills with Microsoft Office suite

Strong knowledge of industry standards and/or regulatory requirements.

Subject matter expertise for area(s) of responsibility.

Ability to multi-task and manage deadlines.

This position is based on Stanford's main campus with consideration given to the option for a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite), subject to operational need. Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

The expected pay range for this position is $145,000 to $185,000 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford's extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Why Stanford is for you:

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks
empower you with:

Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.

A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.

A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.

Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.

Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!

How to Apply

We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the "Apply for Job" button.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Stanford welcomes applications from all who would bring additional dimensions to the University's research, teaching, and clinical missions.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.


Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form.


Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Additional Information

• Schedule: Full-time


• Job Code: 4132


• Employee Status: Regular


• Grade: K


• Requisition ID: 104047


• Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible

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