Executive Director of Financial Shared Services

Employment Type: Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Vacancy ID: NF0010185

Salary Range: Commensurate with Experience

Position Summary/Description:

“ INTERNAL ONLY : Internal posting for permanent, time-limited, layoff priority employees of UNC -Chapel Hill, and temporary employees hired directly by UNC -Chapel Hill only.”

Hybrid: This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

The Executive Director of Finance and Procurement, ServiceFirst Academic Shared Services Center, provides strategic and operational leadership for finance and procurement services supporting participating academic schools and units. The position is responsible for building and leading a high-performing organization that delivers accurate, timely, consistent, and customer-focused financial services while maintaining strong financial stewardship and responsiveness to the distinct needs of the academic units served. The Executive Director establishes operational priorities, staffing and capacity models, performance expectations, and accountability measures to ensure effective service delivery.

The Executive Director provides leadership for a portfolio of financial and procurement activities including accounting and reconciliation, accounts payable and receivable, purchasing and procurement, financial transactions, billing, financial reporting, budgeting support, and related financial operations. The position ensures appropriate internal controls, compliance, risk management, and audit readiness while using financial and operational data to identify trends, inform resource decisions, resolve complex issues, and improve efficiency. The Executive Director also leads efforts to streamline processes, strengthen financial controls, and leverage technology and automation to improve operational capacity and financial visibility.

The Executive Director serves as a senior financial partner to deans, school leadership, business officers, and other academic-unit leaders, providing financial analysis, insight, and decision support to inform resource allocation and alignment with academic and institutional priorities. The position works closely with central Finance and Operations leadership, and other functional partners to resolve complex financial and operational matters, clarify responsibilities, strengthen enterprise practices, and balance consistency with legitimate unit-specific needs.

As a senior leader in the Academic Shared Services Center, the Executive Director is responsible for organizational structure, workforce planning, talent development, performance management, and succession planning. The position leads organizational and operational change and establishes a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and service excellence. Success requires an accomplished financial and operational leader who can build trust across diverse academic environments and deliver measurable improvements in financial performance, operational efficiency, compliance, and stakeholder experience.

Education and Experience:

Experience in performing these functions in a public research university setting is strongly preferred.

Essential Skills:

A Master’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting or a related field with prior experience in a position of comparable scope and complexity may be considered. A minimum of 10 years of progressive management-level experience in a related field. The successful candidate will be technologically savvy, innovative, customer focused, and a collaborative leader.

Demonstrated experience in leading a shared services organization, successful business process reengineering, planning, analysis; management skills that balance strategic, industry, business, and people factors; leading project management and change management functions; exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills; coalition building, facilitation and collaboration skills.

Strong planning, analysis, and management skills.

Strong leadership skills, experience leading knowledgeable subject matter experts, and developing staff.

Experience dealing with change management, both from an organizational/structural and technical/system perspective.

Experience leading complex financial systems and organizations, especially in a university setting.

Experience operating as a team member in a cohesive leadership team; willingness to participate in team interactions, thinking, and decision-making.

AA/EEO Statement:

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.