Director, Financial Information Services

   

This position is located in Ithaca, New York. The successful candidate will have the option to perform this role remotely at a location of their choosing within the United States.

The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholdings for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working outside New York State.

Note: This position is for applicants that are qualified to work in the United States indefinitely. No Visa sponsorship of any kind is available for this position.

What you will do:

The Director of Financial Information Services (FIS Director) ensures the delivery of reliable and efficient financial applications to the university with a customer-focused approach. This role collaborates closely with both business and technical teams to clarify requirements, assess alternatives, and implement effective solutions.  The FIS Director develops and maintains productive relationships with vendors and Cornell Information Technologies (CIT), ensuring adherence to IT governance processes for financial systems and information delivery initiatives. The role requires adaptability to periodic organizational restructuring and the ability to advocate for the division’s technological needs in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape. In this capacity, the FIS Director has a matrix reporting structure to the University Controller and to the CIO, Ithaca.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and supervision to the Financial Information Services team, including performance management, training, and workforce planning. Lead staff through organizational changes, focusing on cross-training and developing subject matter experts to ensure knowledge transfer and continuity.
• Lead complex, multi-year projects including the anticipated replacement of major ERP systems across all campuses.  The role helps establish standards, guidance and, where needed, constrain the introduction of local systems which might complicate financial management and reporting.
• Implement emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to enhance operational efficiency and streamline financial processes
• Drive continuous improvement in business analytics, financial reporting, and system modernization to meet the evolving needs of the university.
• Collaborate across departments and campuses to align technology and data management with the university’s strategic goals while maintaining strong internal controls and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Actively lead organizational change as shared administrative systems are deployed, evolving the role to meet the expanding scope of financial and administrative collaboration across campuses.
• Serve as a division-wide IT Security Liaison and IT Director for the Information Technology Service Group (ITSG), ensuring adherence to security protocols and governance frameworks.

The role requires a strategic vision, technical expertise, and strong leadership to build high-performing, remote teams and manage transformative initiatives. Success involves managing resources, maintaining data integrity, and identifying process improvement opportunities in a dynamic higher education environment.

As the shared administrative systems are deployed over the next several years, this role will evolve to account for the expanded scope of the shared system and the teams that will form across campuses and business units to run them. Playing a leading role in the new collaboration, while supporting FIS and its customers in this transition, will be critical to the success for this position.

What we need:
We are seeking a results-driven professional who thrives in complex, collaborative environments and has the vision to lead transformative financial systems initiatives. Additionally, you will have:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferable in Finance, Accounting, Information Systems, Business Administration, with at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in administrative systems management, information technology, or a related area or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in business analysis, process mapping, and solution design.
• Experience managing large-scale IT projects and leading change initiatives in diverse, matrixed environments.

Leadership and Collaboration:

• Proven leadership in building and managing high-performing teams, including recruitment, retention, training, mentoring, and strategic planning.
• Demonstrated ability to foster collaboration between technical and financial teams, ensuring alignment across business functions and stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills, capable of translating complex technical concepts into actionable insights for diverse audiences.
• At Cornell, we value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we seek candidates who share this commitment. A successful candidate will integrate these values into leadership, team management, and collaboration practices.

Technical and Strategic Expertise:

• Experience in ERP system (e.g., Workday, Oracle, SAP) implementations or integration, with a strong knowledge of cloud-based financial systems.
• Expertise in business analysis, process mapping and solution design for complex financial systems.
• Demonstrated success in developing, managing, implementing, maintaining, and upgrading complex application systems, including business intelligence tools.
• Experience with IT governance frameworks, security protocols, and compliance standards.
• Familiarity with emerging technologies such as Aritificial Intelligence, Robotic Process Automation, and business analytics, and experience integrating these into financial operations.
• Strong understanding of IT governance frameworks, security protocols, and compliance standards.
• The ability to effectively identify and adapt to the evolving needs of a dynamic organization.
• Proven track record in leading large-scale IT projects and change management initiatives.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more items that we would prefer you to have, but not required:

• Advanced degrees (e.g., MBA, Master’s in Information Systems)
• Project Management Certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2).
• Accounting, Audit or Internal Control Certifications (e.g., CPA, CMA, CIA, COSO).
• IT Certifications (e.g., CISA, CISSP)
• Experience within higher education, healthcare, or other complex organizational settings with decentralized financial systems.

What we offer:

Great benefits that include educational benefits, access to a plethora of wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, health care options to choose from, generous paid leave provisions:  3 weeks of vacation, 12 university paid holidays (including end of year winter break through New Year’s Day) and superior retirement contributions.

An active and diverse community to work and thrive in, Cornell is situated in picturesque Ithaca, New York, the heart of the Finger Lakes. Ithaca is home to two academic institutions, state parks, waterfalls, gorges, and a wide range of art galleries, theaters, eateries, wineries, and breweries. Ithaca has something to suit all ages and interests!

   

Familiarize yourself with Cornell’s COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university’s COVID-19 services and information.

  

University Job Title:

Mgr Finance III

Job Family:

Fin/Budget/Planning

Level:

H

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$140,279.00 – $171,453.00

Remote Option Availability:

Remote

Company:

Contact Name:

Tammy Dibble

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law. 

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

2024-12-03