Description

Position Overview

The SSC Finance Manager manages the day-to-day finance activities and supervises finance staff in the Shared Service Centers. This is a full-time position responsible for building relationships with the units served, supervising the daily financial and accounting business processes of the SSC, and supporting a culture centered on delivering excellent customer service.

The SSC Finance Manager will ensure that SSC finance staff provide timely and professional services that support and enhance the instructional, research and service goals of the units served. The SSC Finance Manager will be expected to maintain successful relationships and frequent communication with Deans, Directors, Chairs and PIs of academic, administrative, or research units. The SSC Finance Manager will make staffing and workload assignments to ensure expedient processing of financial transactions. This position is also responsible for establishing and monitoring internal control procedures and ensuring compliance with University, State, and Federal Guidelines.

The SSC Finance Manager will report to the SSC Director and is expected to work with the SSC Director to implement strategic plans for improving processes and services. The SSC Finance Manager will be accountable to central financial offices to ensure the implementation of financial policies and processes and that staff are adequately trained. The SSC Finance Manager will also be accountable to the units served for the services outlined in the Service Level Agreement (SLA).

Due to complex state employment laws, the University of Kansas may be unable to hire fully remote workers for this position outside of Kansas. Specifically, we cannot currently offer employment to candidates residing in the following states: California, Delaware, Idaho & Minnesota. We appreciate your understanding and invite interested individuals from eligible states to apply.

Job Description

45% SSC Leadership and Financial Oversight

• Guides and directs activities for assigned SSC Finance Staff.
  • Manages cross-functional activities of finance staff, including oversight of all accounting and financial management related functions.
  • Trains in functional accounting, financial management skills, including optimizing the use of systems and reporting.
  • Works with staff to maintain compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
  • Works with the central finance offices and other SSCs, evaluates opportunities to enhance existing processes or provide improved service to client units.
  • Works with Process Improvement and Training Committees as needed to implement process design changes or system updates.
  • Serves as a resource for SSC staff working through challenging transactions and provide analytical support to work through challenges.
  • Oversees staff work and ensures procedures are consistent with policy; monitors relationships with assigned departments and centers to ensure high levels of satisfaction.
  • Addresses personnel needs of the SSC Finance Staff by working with central units to promote financial training and hire new employees.
  • Addresses SSC audit findings to improve compliance and accuracy of transaction processing.
  • Acts as a SSC representative for external and internal compliance audits. Works with central finance offices on all external compliance audits.

30% Communication

• Coordinates with leaders of academic departments or research centers.
  • Ensures service levels are met or exceeded, based on the Service Level Agreement (SLA).
  • Meets with assigned departments and centers on a quarterly and as-needed basis.
  • Addresses unique concerns or needs of assigned departments and centers.
  • Resolves disputes and takes corrective action.
• Reports to the SSC Director.
  • Shares progress reports and status updates them.
  • Informs SSC Director of service or staff issues and necessary steps needed or taken to address them.
  • Performs related duties such as conducting staff meetings, preparing written instructions for work assignments, resolving disputes, and preparing narratives and statistical reports.

20% Problem Resolution

• Helps resolve and answer finance-related questions for the areas served.
• Escalates questions and problems as appropriate to the SSC Director or appropriate central financial offices.

5% Policy Development and Dissemination/Training

• Partners with Central Finance staff to develop and present information and training sessions on university financial policies and procedures and budget management techniques. Provides information in a variety of formats, including individual training, workshop type sessions, and seminars to financial officers, deans, directors, chairs, vice provosts and other interested staff as requested.
• Coordinates with Central Finance on the interpretation and communication of financial policies, systems, procedures, and programs.

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree and four (4) years related experience OR high school diploma/GED and eight (8) years of related management experience.
2. One (1) year of supervisory, team mentorship, or leadership role experience.
3. Computer skills in a PC/Windows environment including MS Word and MS Excel as demonstrated by application materials and previous experience.
4. Excellent written communication skills and attention to detail as demonstrated by application materials.

Additional Candidate Instruction

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
• Resume.
• List of three (3) professional references.

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins Friday January 2, 2026 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified.

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or using the Title IX online report form and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or using the Title IX online complaint form.