The Director of Finance and Operations for the Phyllis M. Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking supports the Executive Director, and collaborates with the Director of Strategy and Engagement, as well as senior staff and faculty members with all aspects of strategic planning, development and implementation of the Center’s operational goals related to financial planning and management. This includes assisting in the formulation, establishment, and execution of administrative policies and procedures, working in coordination with the Director of Strategy and Outreach. This position integrates the Taylor Center’s vision, mission, and core values into daily and long-term operation and decision-making, including explicit commitments to multiculturalism, equity, diversity, and inclusion; interdisciplinary collaboration; continuous learning and improvement; and creative thinking. 

The Director serves as the Center’s business/financial officer and is responsible for management and administration of the Center’s multi-million-dollar operational budget, as well as grant awards, vendor contracts, and other program related budgets as assigned. Responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, analyzing department budgets, preparing the annual budget, ensuring adequate ledger/account reconciliation, preparing monthly financial reports, ensuring grants/research compliance, and estimating special project cost/benefit proposals and associated financial management of projects that the Center creates or adopts. 

The Director prepares and processes University accounting forms, oversees all expenditures, and coordinates all acquisitions of supplies, furniture, and equipment. This position has signature authority for p-cards, IT’s, and purchase requests, and coordinates fiscal plans with the Tulane School of Architecture’s SISE program, when appropriate. 

The Director also serves as liaison for HR issues, e.g., recruitment, new hires, terminations, promotions, and salary changes; acts as the designated point of contact for all matters requiring the attention of the Provost’s Office; provides assistance with and at times leads the formulation, establishment, and execution of administrative policies and procedures; coordinates time-reporting and payroll-related activities; oversees day-­‐to-­‐day use and operations of the Taylor Center space in Howard-Tilton Memorial Library; coordinates with the Taylor Warehouse location (612 Andrew Higgins Blvd); and provides logistical, administrative, programmatic, and financial and operational support for the Center and affiliated programs.