Background: 

The Penn State Nittany Lions are the athletic teams of Pennsylvania State University, located in State College, Pennsylvania. For most sports, Penn State participates as a member institution of the Big Ten Conference and NCAA Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the highest level of collegiate level play. It is one of only 15 universities in the nation that plays Division I FBS football and Division I men's ice hockey. Two sports, men's volleyball and women's ice hockey, participate in different conferences because they are not offered in the Big Ten Conference. The men's volleyball team competes in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) and women's ice hockey competes in Atlantic Hockey America (AHA). The fencing teams operate as independents.

Penn State has one of the nation's most comprehensive and successful student athletic programs with twenty-nine varsity programs, most at the Division I level.

Any interested candidates should contact TurnkeyZRG directly.

Contacting Penn State University will only delay consideration of your qualifications.

Position Summary: 

Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Finance and Business/Treasurer, the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Finance and Business Operations is responsible for the comprehensive management of strategic budget and financial operations within Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA).  The successful candidate will serve as the strategic thought partner to the Director of Athletics, working in tandem with the University and financial leadership to proactively identify areas of opportunities for operational and procedural efficiency, revenue growth and strategic investments/capital planning.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Serves as a member of the Finance and Business leadership team.

• Works with the Director of Athletics to strategically manage all aspects of departmental budget, including operations, compensation, scholarships, and capital projects.

• Partners with internal department leaders to effectively manage the budget, proactively analyzing revenue and expense opportunities to balance departmental investment with profitability/cash flow optimization.

• Serves as the strategic financial thought partner in capital planning efforts, including the development of financial projections across a multitude of potential current and future capital investments.

• Responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring fiscal operations, including policies and procedures, to ensure financial stability of ICA.

• Assists in the development of annual revenue goals and proactively monitors progress among revenue generating units; establish KPI’s across the department to transparently and accurately report on performance and variances.

• Effectively manages department capital-project funding and financing and monitors and ensures annual maintenance budgets are incorporated into ICA budgets.

• Oversees data gathering for annual EADA and NCAA reporting.

• Manages ICA Business Office staff and develops responsibilities and reporting lines that yield high efficiency staff.

• Effectively communicates and monitors budget process and reporting.

• Serves as liaison with various University departments, as directed by Senior Vice President of Finance and Business and Director of Athletics.

• Works collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders.

• Ensures financial and business policies, processes, and services are developed and executed to advance the strategic mission of ICA in compliance with state, federal, and University guidelines.

Candidate Requirements:

• Minimum of 10 years of senior-level accounting, finance, and reporting experience with increasing levels of responsibility.

• Experience working in a senior-level role in large intercollegiate athletics department.

• CPA preferred.

• Strategic thinker with exceptional planning and communication skills.

• Inquisitive and detail oriented.

• Trustworthy and honest, with highest level of integrity, ethics, and personal accountability.

• Management style that fosters a collegial work environment and supports diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Work Arrangement:

This position offers a flexible work arrangement that combines remote and on-campus work. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. 

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and references at www.turnkeyzrg.com

Note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not exhaustive. Duties and responsibilities may be subject to change based on organizational needs and the evolution of Penn State Athletics.

Penn State’s Commitment:

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission. Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. 

Campus Security Crime Statistics:

To review the Annual Security Report which contains information about crime statistics and other safety and security matters and policies, please go to https://police.psu.edu/annual-security-reports, which will also explain how to request a paper copy of the Annual Security Report.  

Background Check:

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.