Chief Finance Manager - Law School

The University of Minnesota is a world-class research university and one of the largest in the United States. Founded in 1851 as a land-grant university, the school now encompasses more than 55,000 students and nearly 24,000 employees on five campuses across Minnesota. With an annual operating budget of $4.5 billion a year, the University generates an economic impact of $8.6 billion on the Minnesota economy.

Set on the banks of the Mississippi River, the University is surrounded by the vibrant Twin Cities metropolitan community, known for its thriving arts, dining, and outdoor recreation culture.

Recognized as one of the country’s preeminent public law schools, the University of Minnesota Law School is a leader in preparing students to solve our time's complex social, economic, and business issues. Our exceptional faculty, innovative curriculum, and unmatched clinical and experiential learning opportunities equip students for the demands of the 21st century. View our degree programs.

We are distinguished by a rare collegial culture emphasizing teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and persuasion. Students learn to think analytically, identify the core elements of a complex problem, and develop real-world solutions—skills that are essential beyond law school for all fields of employment. Public service is at our core. Our students embrace it, our faculty and staff reinforce it, and our community benefits. 

Our faculty includes some of the world's most accomplished and productive scholars in business law, criminal justice, international law and human rights, and law, science, and technology, among other areas. A large, active network of alumni in the Twin Cities and around the globe is eager to mentor, teach and hire our students. The Law School draws a talented, diverse student body from every part of the United States and numerous countries. 

The Law School is financially well-positioned and committed to careful stewardship of its resources. The annual operating budget is approximately $35 million, not including student aid. In the last five years, the Law School eliminated previous budget deficits, completed a record-setting capital initiative, and currently operates with a surplus. The Driven to Lead campaign, which ended in June 2022, aimed to raise $80 million and secured $106 million to support strategic goals, including scholarships, professorships, research, and clinics. In addition, the endowment has grown significantly, from $110 million in 2016 to $205 million today. 

The Law School benefits from being part of one of the largest research institutions in the world and its location in vibrant and diverse Minneapolis/St. Paul annually ranks as one of the country's most affordable, livable, and literate metropolitan areas. With headquarters for 16 Fortune 500 companies, federal and state courts, and the state capitol just minutes away, the University of Minnesota is one of the best places in the country to experience law in action.

William McGeveran, Gray, Plant, Mooty, Mooty & Bennett Professor of Law, is serving as interim dean following the departure of Garry W. Jenkins in June 2023 to serve as president of Bates College. Interim Dean McGeveran has been a faculty member at the Law School for 17 years and previously served as associate dean of academic affairs from 2018 to 2022. The University is searching for the next permanent dean during the 2023-24 academic year. Interim Dean McGeveran has set high expectations for Minnesota Law, focusing on student success, DEI, fundraising, and financial strength. The next CFM will find him an experienced strategic partner and a trusted ally. 

The law faculty and the Board of Regents have adopted the following Mission Statement for the Law School: 

The mission of the University of Minnesota Law School is to provide high-quality legal education: 

• By educating men and women in the law principally through instruction leading to a Juris Doctor degree and through other high-quality programs, 
• By contributing substantially to knowledge of the legal order through the publication and other dissemination of scholarship and 
• By providing discipline-related public service to the University, the state, the nation, and the international community, and the legal profession in which it has special expertise. 

1. Attract outstanding students to prepare them to become the diverse, distinguished lawyer-leaders of the next generation. 
2. Promote curricular innovation to sustain the best legal training for a complex and evolving world. 
3. Provide outstanding opportunities to bolster student success and launch successful careers. 
4. Leverage our location in connection to and engagement with the Twin Cities while remaining global in our orientation.
5. Support the research and impact of a world-class legal faculty. 

• Work with the dean to determine strategic priorities as they relate to the budget
• Develop fiscal strategies to achieve strategic goals
• Analyze current and historical financial data to provide insights about trends, opportunities, and challenges
• Provide financial data to use in strategic decision-making
• Help lead the Law School’s participation in the University’s annual budget compact process
• Forecast collegiate revenues, including tuition, endowments, internal/external sales, and other income
• Analyze the fiscal performance of the Law School and its programs by collecting information required for planning, developing possible approaches to the resolution of problems, and working with appropriate personnel to implement solutions
• Communicate with senior leadership so that they can make fully informed decisions related to fiscal and budgetary strategy
• Manage course fee process for Law School, ensuring course fee requests are submitted, reviewed, and approved
• Work closely with Human Resources to align fiscal and HR strategies and ensure aligned resource use
• Provide oversight to Law School-wide processes, including effort certification, scholarships and fellowships, endowments, credit cards, exception reporting, and ICR redistribution, among others
• Manage the internal/external sales process for the Law School, including requisite approvals, business plans, budget and rate development, contracting, invoicing, and reporting

• Provide leadership and foster a professional and positive working environment committed to principles and practices of respect, inclusivity, continuous improvement, excellent customer service, and teamwork
• Supervise up to five employees on the Finance team in varied job classifications, providing effective leadership, training, evaluation, and talent management
• Manage the processes and activities of the finance team, including training, assigning and delegating work, monitoring workflow and special projects, and ensuring deadlines are met
• Prepare annual budget and fiscal year close processes and work with team members to meet deadlines for the budget process and fiscal year-end closing
• Develop and implement sound financial management and accounting policies and procedures that support day-to-day operations
• Ensure prompt responses to inquiries from Law School and central personnel and appropriate interpretations of University and Law School policy and procedures
• Partner with unit leadership to ensure their service needs are met by Finance staff
• Meet regularly with the Finance team to communicate policy and procedural changes, facilitate discussions, answer questions, and solicit input
• Meet regularly with individual Finance team members to discuss performance, train, answer questions, provide feedback, and implement disciplinary action as appropriate
• Conduct annual performance reviews and professional development planning for each employee
• Select and hire staff if new positions are created or current positions are vacated

• Ensure compliance with University policies and procedures in all tasks and demonstrate ethical behavior in conducting all position responsibilities
• Assist in developing and documenting operational procedures and processes on behalf of the Law School
• Create monitoring processes to ensure ongoing review and reconciliation activities are conducted by financial staff in compliance with University policies and procedures
• Respond to inquiries from internal audits and external organizations related to the financial activities of the Law School and assigned units
• Resolve problems within the Law School related to policy, procedures, and compliance for assigned units 
• Represent the Law School on University-wide committees and task forces and work collaboratively with internal and external units to improve and leverage shared knowledge and best practices
• Serve on and/or lead internal collegiate committees to improve Law School processes
• Continue professional development and awareness of University policies and procedures by attending courses, workshops, seminars, and other meetings

1. Accountability 
2. Adaptability 
3. Collaboration 
4. Communication 
5. Customer service 
6. Diversity, equity, and inclusion 
7. Initiative 
8. Job knowledge 
9. Problem-solving 
10. Professionalism 
11. Innovation 
12. Strategic thinking

Manager level will be based on qualifications met.

Manager level 2:

• BA or BS degree in finance, accounting, or related or CFA at least eight years of experience
• In place of a degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field, relevant experience in higher education finance and operation will be considered

Manager level 3:

• BA or BS degree in finance, accounting, or related field or CFA and at least 10 years of experience
• In place of a degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field, relevant experience in higher education finance and operation will be considered

Additional requirements:

• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead a team and foster a professional and positive working environment committed to principles and practices of respect, inclusivity, continuous improvement, excellent customer service, and teamwork 
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and work both independently and as part of a team 
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with multiple stakeholders (including administrators, faculty, and staff) 
• Commitment to the mission of the Law School, including fostering innovative research, providing first-rate legal education, contributing to the welfare of Minnesota and our community, and welcoming and including people of diverse backgrounds

• MBA or another advanced degree 
• Minimum of three years of supervisory experience 
• Status as or willingness to complete coursework to be a Certified Approver
• Demonstrated ability to formulate and implement financial strategies to meet academic priorities 
• Experience navigating the political and financial landscape in higher education 
• Experience working with tuition, endowments, internal/external sales and sponsored funds
• Experience with University of Minnesota Enterprise Financial System (PeopleSoft)

The CFM is a full-time, 12-month academic professional and administrative (P&A) position appointed by the dean of the Law School. The position is open until filled. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. 

A comprehensive benefits package is provided. (See our benefits page for more information.) 

Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. To ensure full consideration, submit your complete set of materials by September 18, 2023.

Apply

Nominations may be directed to the Senior Talent Acquisition Manager Jennifer Erickson ([email protected]). Review of nominations and applications for the position will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled.