Assistant Director, School of Economics

• Finance/Accounting Administration

• Monitor all financial cost centres and expenditures of budgeted funds.

• Determine fiscal requirements, make projections, and prepare/update budgets as necessary.
• Compile financial reports on forecasts and utilisation of funding.
• Assist in obtaining reimbursement from funding agencies as necessary.
• Oversee and ensure efficiency in the administration and processing of financial support for faculty (named awards, conference travel, asset acquisition, etc.) and reimbursement of expenses in accordance with University's policy/school guidelines.
• Track disbursements of student scholarships and bursaries.
• Map accounting internal orders and collaborate with OFIN for financial reports as needed.
• Interface with Office of Finance and Office of Human Resources regarding various payments for faculty, adjunct faculty and visiting faculty.
• Oversee payments and reimbursements for faculty, visiting professors and other academic visitors.
• Oversee the internal and external research grant applications, overall administration and grant awards of faculty research and administration.
• Represent School and handle any Monitor Audits and Regulatory Audits (internal or external).

• Oversee, monitor and report on Tier One, Two and Three proposals.

• Strategic Management and Outreach

• Assist in overall formulation and implementation of the School's strategic map.

• Support and execute new tasks and activities aligned with SMU's senior leadership's vision and strategic plan.
• Support development of marketing, liaison and outreach to expand annual student recruitment programme and meet enrolment targets with enhanced quality for Undergraduate Programme.
• Support internal and external stakeholder engagement; collaborate on partner events.
• Support initiatives to achieve ranking and reputation goals for UG and PG programmes.
• Ensure documentation and continuous improvement of departmental and cross-departmental processes that impact the School.
• Spearhead practices and procedures to improve effectiveness and efficiency of programme operations including student recruitment, matriculation, financial aid, programme delivery, and alumni relations.

• Support and develop activities for fundraising efforts.

• Supervisory Duties

• Supervise and guide General Office team members to handle faculty and research administrative matters in adherence to SMU guidelines.

• Special Projects/Assignments

• Lead, organise and liaise with external contacts for special initiatives (such as QAFU, External Academic Review, etc.).

• Handle all issues related to compliance and governances to ensure that School has internal controls in place; review project contract terms and conditions, and ensure compliance with corporate and grant related policies in relation to funding sources; review projects/grants' terms and conditions to guide faculty in deliverables and finalising report summaries.

• Participate in the writing and compilation of all project-related documents, such as budgets, proposals, reports and presentations.

• Other Duties as Assigned

• Serve as backup for Assistant Dean during her absence.

• Attend, represent and provide updates on various internal and external meetings as requested (i.e. taskforce and workgroup meetings; UAT sessions, etc).

Qualifications

• Degree in business, general management or other business disciplines required with a minimum of 10 years' work experience.
• Possess good communication abilities, strategic and analytical thinking and organizational skills to manage and respond appropriately to any situations/ challenges that might arise.
• Demonstrated ability to manage work processes and achieve continuous quality improvement.
• Ability to analyze and problem-solve in a responsible and efficient manner.
• Ability to track project milestones and deliverables.
• Ability to analyze data, quantify results and flag discrepancies in budgets; along with OFIN business partner, monitor the budget items that are impactful in affecting P&L.
• Meticulous, resourceful and discreet in handling confidential information/issues.
• Positive energy and a 'can-do' spirit; excellent work ethics.
• Strong time management and project management skills.
• Self-motivated and independent; a team player who can communicate effectively and work well with others.
• Experience in supervision.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications.
• Familiar and knowledgeable with SAP software.

Other Information

Candidates who do not possess the stipulated qualifications but have relevant work experience may still apply. Remuneration and appointment terms shall commensurate with qualifications and experience. SMU reserves the right to modify the appointment terms where necessary.