Finance and Operations Manager, The Graduate School (JMU Only)

At James Madison University (JMU), we're more than just a publicly funded institution - we're a vibrant, welcoming community located on a stunning campus where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive. Our mission is to prepare students for a bright future, and we believe that starts with supporting the people who make it all possible: our employees.

Why Work at JMU? We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional journey and personal wellbeing:

• Generous Leave: Enjoy paid vacation, sick leave, parental leave, community service leave, and 19 paid holidays annually.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access high-quality health insurance options that fit your needs.
• Retirement Options: Plan for your future with retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System.
• Employee Well-Being: Our Balanced Dukes program promotes wellness and work-life integration through resources, events, and support.
• Tuition Waiver Program: Advance your education with our tuition waiver program for undergraduate and graduate courses taken at JMU.

At JMU, we believe in Being the Change - and that starts with creating an environment where you can grow, contribute meaningfully, and feel supported every step of the way.

Discover what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

Financial Management and Budget Administration

• Manage and monitor The Graduate School's operating, graduate assistantship, foundation, and other assigned budgets and accounts.
• Perform financial reconciliation, budget revisions, purchasing and expenditure review, travel processing, and other financial operations.
• Ensure financial transactions and business practices comply with university and Commonwealth requirements.
• Maintain accurate financial records and identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Prepare financial reports, forecasts, and analyses for Graduate School leadership.
• Coordinate financial processes and deadlines across The Graduate School.

Strategic Financial Planning

• Coordinate development of The Graduate School's annual budget in collaboration with the Dean and leadership team.
• Develop financial models, projections, and alternative scenarios to support resource planning.
• Analyze financial information and make recommendations concerning expenditures, funding allocations, payment rates, and future resource needs.
• Provide timely financial information to support leadership decisions.
• Monitor year-end balances and assist with short- and long-range budget planning.

Graduate Assistantship Administration

• Supervise and support the Graduate Assistantship Coordinator.
• Oversee financial and administrative processes associated with Graduate School-funded assistantships.
• Monitor assistantship expenditures, contracts, payments, and available balances.
• Work with Financial Aid, academic programs, colleges, and university offices to identify and resolve assistantship funding discrepancies.
• Develop projections of graduate assistantship resource needs and year-end balances.
• Serve as a resource regarding graduate assistantship financial policies and procedures.
• Support consistent implementation of assistantship policies and business practices across the university.

Human Resources and Business Operations

• Coordinate human resource functions for The Graduate School.
• Provide oversight of graduate assistant hiring processes administered through the Graduate Assistantship Coordinator.
• Interpret and apply applicable university HR policies and procedures.
• Ensure personnel processes are handled accurately, confidentially, and in accordance with university requirements.
• Support development and implementation of effective Graduate School business practices.
• Work collaboratively with university offices to resolve operational and administrative issues.

Financial and Operational Reporting

• Prepare recurring and ad hoc reports related to budgets, assistantships, enrollment, revenues, and other Graduate School operations.
• Maintain records necessary for financial planning, assistantship administration, and operational decision-making.
• Review information from university systems and reconcile discrepancies when needed.
• Provide accurate and timely information to the Dean, Graduate School leadership, graduate programs, and university offices.
• Assist in improving business processes and reporting practices.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with complex financial management functions such as budgeting, reconciliation, accounting, forecasting, or financial analysis within higher education.
• Demonstrated ability to manage administrative processes and work effectively within a complex organization governed by established policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, students, and senior university officials.
• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Additional Considerations

• Experience with financial information systems such as PeopleSoft Finance or comparable enterprise systems.
• Advanced spreadsheet and financial modeling experience.
• Experience developing budgets, financial projections, and alternative financial scenarios.
• Experience with human resources policies and processes.
• Experience managing graduate assistantships, student employment, or comparable funding programs.
• Experience working in higher education or another large, complex organization.