Assistant Director of Project Finance

Salary/Position Classification

• $90,000+ Annual, Dependent on Experience, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• This position will work onsite at UND Grand Forks, ND campus

Purpose of Position

The Assistant Director Project Finance position is responsible for overseeing core business functions for Facilities Management projects. This position provides leadership, mentorship, and supervision to the Facilities project finance team, including strategic direction, procedural development, process efficiency and improvement, and expertise in finance, accounting, and various software programs used by the Facilities project finance team. This position is responsible for compliance, documenting standards of work, implementing internal controls, project accounting, reconciliation, project financial reporting, and overall project financial management.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee and conduct core business functions for Facilities Management projects
• Lead and oversee project management fiscal operations, including project creation, fund determination and setup, budgeting, purchase requisitions, accounts payable, change order, contract routing, project authorizations, accounting, reconciling, and project closeout.
• Establish, review, and monitor internal controls over financial transactions; recommend and implement process improvements to strengthen compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Direct project financial workflows, coordinating and reviewing assigned tasks to ensure timely and accurate completion.
• Meet regularly with project managers, Facilities leadership, and campus stakeholders to assess financial plans, commitments, and outcomes; provide guidance to ensure alignment with university priories and fiscal policies.
• Monitor financial performance metrics and implement corrective actions to ensure fiscal responsibility, budget adherence, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and transparency of project budgets, expenditures, and financial records.
• Apply advanced accounting principles and professional judgment to maintain and enhance departmental accounting practices and controls.
• Conduct final financial review and project closeout, including final determination and assessment of PDC fee, final billing, reconciliations, equipment inventory compilation, and facilitation of transfers to departments as applicable.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex financial issues, providing analysis, recommendations, and resolution
• Act as the financial liaison between PDC, Central Finance, and campus departments to ensure alignment and clear communication.
• Monitor compliance with State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) authorization limits through proactive budget tracking and report issues immediately.
• Identify, analyze, and promptly report financial risks, discrepancies, or compliance concerns, recommending corrective actions as needed.
• Maintain expert-level knowledge of system configuration, data flow, and integrations between AiM, Jaggaer, and PeopleSoft Financials (PSFin); identify, troubleshoot, and resolve system-related issues.
• Lead project management software testing, enhancements, and system upgrades, including test data development, defect identification, documentation, and recommendation of system improvements.
• Evaluate the impact of new system enhancements on existing financial processes and technical infrastructure to ensure operational compatibility and efficiency. 
• Reporting, data analysis, and documentation 
  • Prepare, review, and distribute comprehensive financial reports, including monthly, quarterly, and annual statements, ensuring accuracy and compliance with institutional standards.
  • Develop and maintain detailed project cost reports, tracking budgets, expenditures, encumbrances, and funding sources throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Perform complex statistical, cost and financial analysis of financial reports and data, and prepare subsequent narrative analysis for leadership.
  • Plan, review and conduct complex studies to assess project financials.
  • Collaborate with project managers and leadership to provide timely financial insights that support informed decision-making.
  • Coordinate and complete financial documentation required for project closeout, including final cost reconciliation, funding verification, and audit-ready support files. 
  • Serve as the primary liaison for internal and external data and audit inquiries, providing comprehensive documentation and clear explanations of financial transactions, processes, and internal controls.
  • Coordinate, compile, reconcile, and validate financial data to fulfill audit and ad hoc requests, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely submission.
  • Maintain and oversee required documentation for legislatively approved projects, State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) approved projects, and bond or specially funded projects to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and reporting requirements.
  • Administer document control practices and ensure compliance with institutional and state record retention policies and standards. 
• Provide strategic leadership, mentoring, and oversight of the Facilities project finance team
• Develop and communicate the team’s strategic vision, goals, and performance expectations aligned with organizational priorities.
• Provide mentorship, coaching, and professional development opportunities to team members.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Conduct performance evaluations, set measurable objectives, and support career growth and succession planning.
• Allocate workload strategically to maximize team productivity and service quality.
• Establish, document, and maintain internal controls, standards of work, and financial procedures to ensure compliance with institutional and state requirements.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and implement systems or technology enhancements to increase efficiency and transparency. 

Required Competencies

• Strong analytical skills.
• Anticipates and adjusts for problems and roadblocks.
• Requires the ability to work effectively under pressure, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet established goals and objectives.
• Ability to take initiative and be self-directed.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, including active listening, critical thinking, and the ability to write and speak concisely and express thoughts clearly.
• Demonstrated team player and treats others with respect, while confidently contributing to the team.
• Maintains a positive attitude and the ability to adapt to changes with a positive outlook.
• Ability to be receptive to new ideas and ways of doing things.
• Demonstrated ability working in a cohesive team, willing to back up and support other team members.
• Ability to quickly and rationally grasp the “big picture” goal.
• Ability to look for efficiencies in processes and offer value added suggestions.
• Ability to multi-task in a high volume, fast-paced environment while maintaining very strong attention to detail and accuracy.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field and a CPA or CMA OR Master's in accountancy
• Three years of progressive related work experience
• 1 year of supervisory experience. 
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office to include Outlook, Excel, and Word
  
  • Advanced knowledge of data analysis functions within Microsoft Excel, with ability to generate a management summary of the data
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business, accounting, finance or related field
• Experience working with building maintenance and construction practices.
• Experience in fund accounting or higher ed accounting.
• Experience with PeopleSoft, Jaggaer and AssetWorks, PowerBi, Relational Databases.
• Knowledge of NDUS and/or UND policies and procedures.