Assistant Dean, School of Media Arts

Columbia College Chicago is an acclaimed undergraduate and graduate institution that provides a comprehensive education in the arts, communications and public relations. We constantly aim to reach our full potential as an educational innovator, incubator of new creative practice and generator of real-world success for young creatives. We are located in the heart of Chicago, across the street from historic Grant Park, and housed in some of the most iconic buildings in the South Loop.

Columbia College Chicago a private urban institution of over 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students, four-year College offering a distinctive curriculum that blends liberal arts, creative and media arts and business is currently searching for an Assistant Dean for The School of Media Arts.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Dean serves as the senior business officer for the School of Media Arts, providing leadership and direction in the areas of financial, administrative operations, human resources, capital investment, risk management, grant oversight, and cost containment strategies for the efficient and effective use of the College's resources while ensuring compliance with all policies and procedures. The Assistant Dean must be able to effectively communicate complex and sensitive information while exercising discretion, diplomacy and good judgement. The Assistant Dean works across school and college units and is expected to lead with excellent customer service, demonstrating responsiveness and making timely, well-reasoned decisions. This position reports to the Dean of the School of Media Arts (SMA).

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

- Responsible for overall fiscal wellness and financial operations of the SMA by managing financial planning, analysis and administration of all SMA funds.

- Prepare annual budget (all funds) for SMA. Plan, organize and coordinate the budget development process and timelines within the School.

- Provide high-quality and detailed fiscal analyses, projections and updates to the Dean and academic and auxiliary unit leaders. Analyze budget estimates and proposals for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures, regulations, and organizational objectives. Understand key assumptions and issues.

- Prepare monthly budget-to-actual reports, determine if allocated funds have been spent and analyze significant variances; advise the Dean or Department Chair of any budget issues and concerns; work to identify any underlying business drivers and potential problems; reconcile fiscal issues on behalf of all SMA departments. Ensure that all cost efficiencies are attained.

- Prepare forecasts of all SMA budgets with a future-oriented outlook, finding ways to control costs while sustaining growth, productivity and efficient systems for decision making.

- Consolidate individual budgets into operating and capital budget summaries which argue for or against funding requests. Review, approve, and control all SMA salary and non-salary expenditures (grant and operating).

- Provide leadership and stewardship on financial operations including purchasing, payroll, and reimbursements with attention and adherence to college policies and procedures including reconciliation and audit controls.

- Oversee all restricted funds and research programs to ensure expenditures are appropriate, allowable, and comply with guidelines.

- Partner with academic and auxiliary unit leaders to administer key operational areas and advocate for units' needs and goals.

- Analyze department needs and make recommendations for changes in staffing, facilities, space planning, workflows, technology, and administrative functions.

- Coordinate with Columbia's subject matter experts including Budget, Procurement, Accounting, Accounts Payable, Grant Management, General Counsel, Provost, Development, and Human Resources.

- Serve as a resource to the Dean and Chairs on compliance, policies, and procedures.

- Manage day-to-day fiscal operations of the Dean's Office and the Media Production Center and provide fiscal oversight for auxiliary units including Semester in Los Angeles and the Columbia Chronicle.

- Serve as the human resource liaison for SMA working closely with departments, Office of the Provost, and Human Resources on faculty and staff hiring, position changes, leaves, position reviews, employee relations, and separations; provide input and support of the alignment and implementation of strategic staffing plans.

- Provide oversight and direction of capital investment to achieve standardization, economies of scale, and efficiencies of operations; assess opportunities for centralization and/or sharing of capital resources.

- Assess, modify, and/or develop and implement processes, procedures, and/or systems to increase efficiency, accuracy, and insightfulness of data analytics.

- Work collaboratively with the Associate Dean on all matters related to the financial impact of course scheduling on instructional costs.

- Provide direction and ad hoc problem/conflict resolution to effectively triage and address emergent and/or other issues requiring assistance and support of enabling day-to-day department operations.

- Perform other related duties and/or responsibilities as assigned or required.

QUALIFICATIONS

- Master's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or related field required 7+ years of experience with increasing responsibility in budgeting, finance, or accounting preferably in higher education.

- Knowledge of various financial principles, practices, and applications including budgeting, financial planning, financial analysis, and financial reporting.

- Demonstrated ability to develop, analyze, and monitor budgets required.

- Proven ability using spreadsheet and database software for complex financial analysis, fiscal management, and financial reports. Financial modeling experience strongly preferred.

- Proven experience in operational effectiveness strongly preferred.

- Strong organizational skills; ability to prioritize, work well under pressure, and adhere to time-sensitive deadlines.

- Detailed oriented with strong problem-solving and analytical skills alongside of creative thinking and innovative approaches within a strategic perspective.

- Ability to work independently with sound judgement.

- Strong work ethic, and a high degree of personal and professional integrity, flexibility and adaptability.

- Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills required.

- Ability to establish and maintain relationships at all organizational levels.

- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

- Experience using financial software such as PeopleSoft, preferred.

- Experience working in a media or other technical industry a plus.

- Strategic planning experience a plus.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the department and/or college.

At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits.

We invite you to join our talented faculty and staff and become part of our collective aspiration to ensure Columbia prepares students for success in their creative fields through innovation, engagement and real-world experiences.

Qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.