Controller/Assistant Vice Chancellor, BFS - 135349

Join a Leading Financial Organization at a World-Class University!

UC San Diego seeks a Controller / Assistant Vice Chancellor, Business & Financial Services.

Why UC San Diego?

UC San Diego is recognized globally for innovation, academic excellence, and cutting-edge research. Joining our team means becoming part of a mission-driven institution that values integrity, equity, diversity, and bold thinking.

UC San Diego invites applications for a transformative leadership opportunity as Controller / Assistant Vice Chancellor, Business & Financial Services (BFS). We're looking for an exceptional and visionary executive to lead the university's core financial operations and help shape the future of higher education finance.

Business & Financial Services (BFS) at UC San Diego is a dynamic and essential part of the university's financial operations, overseen by the UC San Diego Controller and Assistant Vice Chancellor. BFS is comprised of several specialized divisions that collectively manage the university's financial resources and supports UC San Diego's academic and research mission. These divisions include Office of the Controller, Financial Operations & Sponsored Projects Finance, Internal Controls & Accounting, Financial Insights & Training Solutions, and Student Financial Solutions. With an annual budget of approximately $20 million, BFS offers a collaborative and innovative environment where more than 150 career staff and a diverse team of student assistants, contractors, and casual employees work together to form the backbone of the university's financial infrastructure.

The Office of the Controller provides leadership, consultation, promotion, accountability, encouragement, and expertise in building and maintaining an effective control environment. This environment is exemplified by effective business practices, well-trained and knowledgeable staff, ethical behavior, separation of duties, timely and complete communication, well-defined and understandable policy, effective risk identification and management, and quality results. Ultimately, this leads to the effective use of university resources as well as accurate and complete financial statements that fairly reflect the results of university operations. Many programs, tools, and initiatives to ensure such an environment is in effect are developed and deployed from this office.

The operations of this department encompass all campus departments and schools, but for the most part, do not include the fiscal operations of the Medical Centers, the Medical Group Clinics, or the UC San Diego Foundation.

The Controller / Assistant Vice Chancellor, Business & Financial Services is a highly strategic and visible executive leader at UC San Diego. Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer (VC-CFO), and with delegated authority from the Chancellor for finance and control, this role serves as the university's chief accounting, internal controls, and business ethics officer, exercising broad authority to develop, implement, and enforce fiscal policies campus-wide.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Controller / AVC directs multiple large, complex, and mission-critical programs through subordinate managers, impacting broad constituencies across major portions of the university. The role is accountable for formulating and administering financial, accounting, budgeting, and resource planning policies that align with systemwide objectives and initiatives. Leadership responsibilities include setting strategic direction and performance standards across a large, decentralized financial organization encompassing several hundred professionals.

The position provides strategic oversight and executive guidance for Business & Financial Services units, ensuring sound financial stewardship and accountability across campus and Health Sciences. The incumbent leads a complex department with multiple operating divisions, supervises Associate Controllers and Senior Directors, and plays a central role in shaping and authorizing the implementation of organizational policies.

As a bridge between central administration and distributed units, the Controller fosters accountability partnerships with key campus business leaders, ensuring financial standards are understood, internal controls are maintained, and expectations for performance are clearly defined throughout the decentralized structure.

In addition to the direct reporting line to the VC-CFO, the Controller maintains a dotted-line relationship to the UC Office of the President's Associate Vice President / Controller, supporting alignment with university-wide policies and providing input on emerging accounting and financial reporting issues.

Recognized as an influential leader, the Controller represents UC San Diego in campus-wide and system-wide forums, providing strategic counsel to senior leadership. Decisions made in this role have a significant impact on the university's financial integrity, operational effectiveness, and overall reputation.

• Expert knowledge of industry systems and practices and their usage at a campus, medical center, or the UC Office of the President.

• Expertise in internal control practices. Experience in implementing controls that strengthen the control environment throughout the organization.

• Extensive experience in developing and applying accounting, financial, and internal control policies. Experience in promoting ethical behavior and a positive internal control environment.

• Expert leadership skills are needed to assume responsibility for overall operational success. Progressively responsible management experience in a core business and/or financial & accounting function in a large and complex organization.

• Sophisticated leadership skills in strategy development, systems planning and change management.

• Experience establishing metrics and goals, which measure the effectiveness of contributions for efficient operations. Strong conceptual and analytical skills, and technical expertise to assess complex, technical, operational, and performance design issues and make recommendations for resolution.

• Experience in establishing and aligning mission goals and leading management to develop goals in alignment with the mission. Proven ability to lead and execute strategic planning processes and participate and provide input to VC-level strategic planning efforts.

• Highly sophisticated people-leader management skills and leadership abilities to establish department goals and to motivate and influence others to achieve those goals. Ability to give high-level direction to operational improvement activities, as well as strategic initiatives. Ability to influence the behavior of key business individuals throughout the organization.

• Ability to present complex information in an effective manner. Expert written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with multiple constituencies to advance organizational objectives. Proven ability to effectively interact with all segments of the campus community, customers, key stakeholders, and public agencies.

• Provides executive oversight of all BFS divisions and sets strategic direction across hundreds of financial professionals.

• Develops and enforces campus-wide fiscal policies aligned with UC systemwide objectives.

• Ensures compliance, transparency, and the effective use of university resources.

• Serves as a bridge between central administration and distributed academic and administrative units, fostering accountability partnerships and performance standards.

• Maintains a critical liaison role with the UC Office of the President and advises on emerging issues in accounting and financial reporting.

• This is a high-impact, high-visibility role where your leadership will shape financial operations that affect every corner of campus-excluding only UC San Diego Health and the UC San Diego Foundation.

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

• Advanced degree in Accounting, Business or Public Administration; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience in research administration preferred.

• Professional certification, such as CPA, CMA, and/or CIA, preferred.

Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

Must be willing and able to travel.

Must have access to reliable transportation.

Conflict of Interest disclosure is required.

The responsibilities of the position require a significant expansion of what may be considered a normal 40-hour workweek.

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.