Director of Finance and Operations

This position has been deemed critical by the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Dean’s Office and is exempt from the hiring pause.

This position is based on Stanford’s main campus with consideration given to the option for a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite), subject to operational need. Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment VISA.

About Us
The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is made up of a three-part structure to drive global impact: Our academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet and people; Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges; The Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale. The school is dedicated to creating and supporting a community with the richness of experience and background needed to create solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.

For more information on the school, click here.

We are seeking to hire a Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) for the Geophysics department. Geophysicists study Earth and planetary processes through laboratory experiments, computational and theoretical modeling, remote imaging, and direct observation. At Stanford, our teaching and research focus on understanding systems critical to the future of civilization. Students apply expertise to fundamental research sustaining life on Earth, combining underlying science with studies of Earth’s environment and resource needs. Such breadth of exposure is highly sought after and leads to careers in academia, industry, and government.

The Geophysics department has 24 faculty and staff, and approximately 60 students and postdoctoral scholars. The director provides management and coordination of administrative and operational functions for the department, supports collaboration with other offices within the school and the university, and helps represent the department’s administrative interests as appropriate. This position reports jointly to the Department Chair and the Senior Associate Dean for Finance and Administration. If you are highly motivated, up for a challenge and know how to get things done, this position may be the right career opportunity for you!

Your Responsibilities will include:  

General Administration
Responsible for the accuracy and integrity of the department’s business processes and practices, and their consistency with University and School policies and guidelines. 

Financial Management
Direct all fiscal operations for the department, including:

• Development of budget plans and resource allocation in response to departmental needs and goals.
• Oversee day-to-day financial management of individual accounts and transactions, ensuring that all relevant regulations and policies are adhered to, appropriate cost controls are in place and necessary records are maintained.

Personnel Administration
Responsible for all departmental personnel activities, including: 

• Manage departmental administrative staff and/or acts as administrative supervisor in cases where administrative staff report directly to faculty.
• Work closely with School Human Resources and central offices in administering various personnel functions. 
• Oversee personnel transactions for faculty, staff, students, post docs and others. 
• Provide administrative support for faculty recruitment, appointment and promotion procedures.

Research Administration

• Manage proposal development and submittal process; supervise the staff who work closely with the PI and OSR to ensure that agency requirements and university policies are adhered to.
• Oversee post-award processing and awards management, working closely with OSR, the PI and other relevant entities. Establish mechanisms whereby projects are managed effectively from award through project close-out, including all necessary financial reporting.

Student Services
Supervise the Student Services Officer, and provide day-to-day oversight, ensuring that effective support is provided to the department’s students and academic program. This includes oversight of: admissions, allocation of financial aid, and coordination of teaching program (courses and degrees, time schedule, etc.), and services to graduate students. 

Facilities and Property 

• Responsible for space planning and allocation for all faculty, staff and students. 
• Ensure appropriate maintenance of all department facilities and equipment
• Serve as the department representative on all facilities and renovation projects
• Oversee and coordinate faculty and staff moves within departmental facilities 
• Maintain/manage current department space and equipment inventories.

* - The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.