Associate Dean of Administration & Finance - College of Science

About the Opportunity

About the College of Science

The College of Science (COS) offers instructional and research programs at the forefront of discovery, invention, and innovation across the physical sciences, life sciences, mathematics, and linguistics. The college comprises six academic departments and is home to 15 research centers and institutes, with faculty and students engaged in collaborative, cross-disciplinary, and often AI-linked research spanning fields such as biotechnology, neuroscience, network science, marine and environmental science, and nanoscience, with locations expanding across the campus network.

Job Summary

The Associate Dean of Administration and Finance (ADAF) is the principal administrative and budget officer and strategist for the college, reporting to the Dean. A member of the college's senior leadership team, the Associate Dean helps formulate and implement the college's strategic plan in a dynamic and fast-moving university. As the lead administrator for the college, the Associate Dean is responsible for oversight, implementation, and planning of processes, policies, and projects in budgeting, human resources, sponsored research administration, space management, and college-specific information technology.

The Associate Dean leads a team of professionals responsible for all financial and budget operations, business modeling and planning, space management, personnel actions, and grants and contracts administration originating in the college. The role oversees operating, restricted, development, start-up, renovation, and cost-share accounts and provides strategic analysis and guidance to enhance revenue, support budget projections, and inform decisions related to growth and innovation. The Associate Dean advises the Dean on annual revenue and expense budgets, develops multi-year financial scenarios, and collaborates with associate deans, department chairs, and staff to support initiatives aligned with college and university priorities.

The Associate Dean leads staffing allocation decisions across the college, develops strategies to address evolving academic and operational needs, and applies change management practices to guide organizational and staffing transitions. The role provides analytical reporting on enrollment, staffing, financial, and space trends to support resource allocation decisions and works closely with Human Resources and Faculty Affairs on recruitment, retention, performance reviews, compensation actions, faculty offer packages, space planning, and merit review processes.

Working closely with the Associate Dean of Research, the Associate Dean oversees sponsored research administration, including pre-award and post-award grant management, and ensures compliance with federal, state, and sponsor requirements. The Associate Dean also manages the college's space portfolio and coordinates planning, site evaluation, facilities upgrades, renovations, and capital projects across the college's Boston campus and additional locations in Burlington, Oakland, Nahant, New York City, Portland, and Toronto. The Associate Dean provides financial and space reporting to the Provost's Office and other university-wide units and represents the Dean and the college on committees, working groups, and external engagements.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required; MBA preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience managing all administrative functions of a large, multi-million-dollar operation, preferably in higher education
• Minimum of 5 years of managerial and supervisory experience
• Experience in grant and contract administration
• Experience in project management, change management, and resource and staff allocation
• Experience using financial databases and developing analytical reports
• Strong analytical, communication, negotiation, and facilitation skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities
• Commitment to professionalism and a strong service orientation
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty, students, and staff

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Financial Management & Budget Administration

• Develop and manage the college's annual operating budget and multi-year financial models under the university's hybrid budget model
• Oversee operating, restricted, development, start-up, renovation, and cost-share accounts
• Prepare quarterly budget-to-actual reporting and advise the Dean on revenue planning, expense forecasting, and business operations
• Oversee pre-award and post-award grants and contracts administration and ensure compliance with federal, state, and sponsor regulations
• Collaborate with central budget, the Office of the Provost, and administrative leaders across colleges on finance and administration matters

Strategic Planning & Analytics

• Serve as a member of the college's senior leadership team and support development and implementation of the college's strategic plan

• Develop analytical reports on enrollment, staffing, financial, and space trends to guide resource allocation decisions

• Support business proposals and strategic initiatives through data analysis and forecasting

• Identify opportunities for operational improvement, service optimization, and organizational effectiveness

• Proactively identify challenges and recommend solutions to support college and university priorities

People Operations & Management

• Partner with Human Resources and Faculty Affairs on recruitment, retention, training, employee engagement, performance management, promotion, position changes, compensation actions, and faculty offer packages
• Support faculty space planning and merit review processes
• Lead college-wide staffing allocation decisions and organizational change initiatives using change management best practices
• Directly supervise, coach, and develop finance, budget, and research administration staff

Operations, Space & Representation

• Manage the college's space portfolio, including space planning, site evaluation, capital projects, and facilities renovations
• Collaborate with university offices on facilities planning and college-specific IT initiatives
• Lead college-wide projects and initiatives as assigned by the Dean
• Represent the college on standing and ad hoc committees related to administration, finance, business processes, and institutional reporting

Applicants should include the following documents with their application:

• Resume/CV
• Cover letter

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:

Expected Hiring Range:

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.