Director of Fiscal Affairs

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine is a diverse patient, research, education, and academia focused, high-performing Department with a commitment to quality, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Orthopaedic Surgery provides treatment for disorders of the musculoskeletal system, offering comprehensive and innovative services. The Department offers a full spectrum of musculoskeletal clinical care, specializing in foot and ankle, hand and microvascular surgery, joint reconstruction, physical medicine and rehabilitation, spine, sports medicine, orthopaedic oncology, and trauma. Research expertise includes advancements in muscle metabolism and physiology, neuromuscular bioengineering, intervertebral disc, and musculoskeletal physiology and epidemiology. The Department supports an ACGME accredited residency program and fellowship in hand and microvascular surgery, as well as fellowship programs in joint reconstruction, spine, and trauma.

The Director of Fiscal Affairs plays a critical role in the Department’s strategic, financial, and operational planning. Position develops and implements policies, procedures, programs, and practices that support the Department’s clinical, research, and academic missions. Working closely with executive leadership, the Director provides financial advisement and decision support to department leaders, faculty, and principal investigators. The role involves interpreting and applying financial concepts for planning, resource allocation, space and equipment management, and budget management, as well as analyzing and recommending financial plans, forecasts, and long-term strategies.

The Director manages departmental programs with a high degree of autonomy, including strategy development, policy administration, and resource oversight. Position manages a complex Departmental budget, with in-depth knowledge of clinical financial modeling, funds flow, and faculty compensation structures. Managing contracts and grants, clinical trial oversight, service agreements, and sponsored projects in coordination with central offices. The Director oversees compliance with APM and PPS policies, UC regulations, and external requirements, and facilitates financial models for faculty and staff recruitment. Position will provide complex faculty and divisional reports, overseeing taxation and funding plans, and implement internal financial controls to meet audit requirements. The Director is vital in identifying and mitigating risks to the Department’s strategic goals while continuously improving operational processes to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve outcomes. Provides tactical and strategic guidance to Department leadership, faculty, and staff and performs other duties as assigned to support departmental objectives.

This position requires advanced professional judgment, the ability to resolve complex issues without precedent, strong communication skills, and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information. The ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels is essential.

Uses advanced professional concepts and organizational objectives to resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways. Works on complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. Exercises judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. Contacts are both internal and external to the department at all levels.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Nine years of related experience, education/training, OR a Bachelor’s degree in related area plus five years of related experience.
• Advanced knowledge of finance policies, practices, and systems.
• Ability to independently manage and forecast on various sources including research, start up, and core funds.
• Advanced knowledge and oversight of faculty and staff compensation, implementing procedures for compensation plans, and incentive payments.
• Clinical expertise to forecast productivity and effort, and formulate budgets and P&Ls.
• Sponsored projects and contracts expertise with implementing procedures, grant management, and close out procedures.
• Ability to identify, collect, and analyze information from multiple sources.
• Advanced ability to effectively present complex finance and policy related information both verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.
• In depth ability to use multiple spreadsheet and database software tools to gather information for specialized, complex financial analysis, fiscal management, and financial reports.
• Advanced interpersonal skills at all levels within the organization; advanced service orientation and critical thinking skills; and attention to detail. In depth ability to use organizational skills to multi-task in a high volume environment.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to function as a member of a team.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of internal control practices and their impact on protecting University resources.
• Ability to supervise others and demonstrated conflict resolution, problem solving skills and the ability to work with a diverse group of people.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently manage the daily operations of a large, complex department responsible for the teaching, clinical and research missions of the University.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in developing and successfully managing academic, research, and clinical budgets including identifying variances and developing and implementing corrections to avoid or reverse deficit conditions.
• Advanced interpersonal skills including verbal and written communication, active listening, critical thinking, persuasiveness, advising and counseling skills.
• Advanced knowledge of University rules and regulations, processes, protocols and procedures for budget, accounting and fund management, and/or personnel management.
• Advanced skills in short- and long-term strategic planning, analysis, problem-solving and customer service.
• Ability to identify, manage, and communicate sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in an academic setting.