Executive Director, Finance Shared Services

Job Description

Position Purpose:

Finance, Planning, and Budgeting (FPB) encompasses the major central financial, planning, analytical, and budgeting functions for the University of Washington, including:

• Finance & Budget Strategy

• Institutional Analytics & Decision Support

• Policy, Planning & State Operations

• University Business Services

The Executive Director, Finance Shared Services, serves as the senior executive responsible for planning, directing, and controlling the University’s enterprise finance shared services function. The role provides strategic leadership for a multisite operation that delivers consistent, compliant, and customer focused financial services to academic, administrative, and campus units across the institution. 

The Executive Director of Finance Shared Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the University of Washington's consolidated finance hub model (Husky Hubs). This position directs the transformation and ongoing management of the  centralized finance hubs serving the university's schools, colleges, and administrative units, ensuring consistent service delivery, Workday Finance system optimization, and adherence to university policies and compliance requirements. The Executive Director serves as the primary liaison between FPB administration and distributed finance operations, driving standardization while respecting unit specific needs. 

Building on this foundation, the Executive Director sets the long range strategy and operating model for Finance Shared Services; oversees multiple budgetary units; and ensures service quality, operational efficiency, and strong stewardship of institutional resources. The role leads the standardization of financial processes, governance structures, performance metrics, internal controls, and ERP enabled operations to advance institutional alignment and improve financial service delivery at scale. 

As a key partner to FPB leadership, UWIT, and unit level administrators, the Executive Director drives enterprise transformation, optimizes system usage and data driven decision making, and ensures operational excellence across a complex, decentralized environment. Decisions made in this role carry significant cross unit impact and shape the financial service experience for the University community. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Enterprise Leadership, Strategy & Governance

• Define the enterprise strategy and long‑range operating model for Finance Shared Services, aligning the consolidated Husky Hubs with institutional priorities

• Lead enterprise governance by establishing service standards, SLAs, KPIs, and performance frameworks that drive transparency, accountability, and cross‑campus alignment

Organizational Design, Operations & Service Delivery

• Oversee day‑to‑day operations of the consolidated finance hub model, ensuring timely, accurate, compliant, and customer‑focused service delivery across the enterprise

• Design and optimize organizational structures, staffing models, and standardized processes to support efficient workloads, capacity planning, and continuous operational improvement

Technology, Systems Optimization & Data Enablement

• Provide executive oversight of Workday Finance utilization, ensuring consistent configuration, strong data integrity, and adoption of system best practices across all hubs

• Champion automation, digital workflows, and data-driven analytics to enhance service performance, operational reliability, and institutional decision‑making

Financial Stewardship, Compliance & People Leadership

• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and resource allocation for multiple units while maintaining strong internal controls, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance

• Lead and develop a large, distributed workforce, fostering a culture of inclusion, accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field, and ten (10) years of progressive leadership experience in finance administration, to include five or more years of senior leadership and people management experience in complex, matrixed organizations, including demonstrated talent development, coaching, and succession planning 

• Experience leading enterprise-wide organizational transformation, including operational centralization and implementation of shared services models 

• Experience with enterprise financial systems, preferably Workday Finance, including configuration concepts, operational best practices, and system optimization 

• Knowledge of higher education finance, including fund accounting structures, regulatory obligations, internal controls, and compliance frameworks 

• Ability to lead through influence within decentralized or distributed organizational structures, aligning diverse stakeholders around shared goals 

• Exceptional communication and relationship management skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive political dynamics, articulate complex financial concepts, and build consensus across executive, academic, and administrative leaders 

• Strategic and analytical thinking skills with the ability to balance enterprise standardization with unit-specific operational needs, using data to drive decisions and performance improvements 

• Proficiency in audit response, compliance oversight, and control remediation, ensuring organizational accountability and institutional risk mitigation 

• Ability to lead and manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously in a fast-moving, service-driven environment 

Desired:

• Master's degree in a related field (MBA, MPA, MAcc) 

• Direct experience with Workday Finance implementation or post-implementation stabilization 

• Familiarity with the University of Washington organizational structure and governance 

• Experience with NACUBO principles and state agency accounting requirements (SAAM) 

• Background in policy interpretation and development 

• Track record of successful change management in academic institutions 

We will begin screening completed application materials upon receipt through the close date.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

Pay Range Maximum:

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

Shift:

Temporary or Regular?

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

Union/Bargaining Unit:

About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

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.