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Duke University Job Description: |
Job Title: DIR, FIN & OPS, DU PRESS |
Job Code: 2798 |
FLSA: |
Job Level: 59 |
Revised Date: 07/01/2026 |
Job Family: JF 28 |
The Dir, Finance & Operations, DU Press serves as the senior financial and administrative leader for Duke University Press, responsible for establishing and executing the organization???s financial strategy, overseeing administrative functions, and ensuring alignment between financial, operational, and technology priorities.
Reporting to the Press Director and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team, the CFO/CAO provides enterprise-wide leadership across financial planning, accounting, data governance, information technology, and operational integration. This role combines strategic financial oversight with executive responsibility for administrative services, enterprise systems, and organizational infrastructure.
The Dir acts as the principal advisor to the Press Director on financial, operational, and technology matters, guiding investment decisions, evaluating risk, and ensuring transparency in organizational performance. The role represents the Press in interactions with Duke University finance, audit, IT, and administrative offices, ensuring compliance with institutional policies and best practices.
A critical component of this role is the integration of financial strategy, administrative operations, and technology systems with publishing workflows, ensuring that, cost structures, systems, and schedules are aligned with long-term sustainability and organizational effectiveness.
Financial Strategy & Leadership
Define and lead the long-term financial strategy of the Press, aligning fiscal planning with organizational priorities and market conditions Advise senior leadership on financial performance, risks, and strategic opportunities
Lead multi-year forecasting, scenario modeling, and evaluation of new business initiatives and partnerships
Establish and monitor financial targets aligned with University expectations and publishing goals
Financial Planning, Reporting & Governance
Oversee the annual budgeting process and ongoing financial forecasting Ensure production of accurate and timely financial reporting, including monthly and annual P&L statements
Establish reporting standards, KPIs, and performance metrics for the organization
Maintain transparency over financial performance, including program- and title-level profitability
Ensure compliance with GAAP and Duke University financial policies
Accounting & Financial Operations Oversight
Provide executive oversight of all accounting functions, including general ledger, royalty accounting, inventory, and revenue recognition Establish and enforce internal controls, financial policies, and audit readiness practices
Ensure fulfillment of contractual financial obligations to authors, editors, partners, and vendors
Oversee pricing strategies for books, journals, and publishing services
Data, Systems & Business Intelligence (Ownership)
Serve as the business owner of financial systems, reporting tools, and data governance frameworks
Define financial data standards, reporting structures, and system requirements
Oversee development of dashboards, KPIs, and business intelligence tools Ensure data integrity, consistency, and reconciliation across systems Oversee IT in the implementation and enhancement of financial systems, reporting capabilities, and enterprise technology solutions
Financial Integration of Operational & Publishing Workflows
Align financial strategy with editorial, design, production, and sales operations
Provide financial oversight of publishing workflows, ensuring alignment between publishing plans, schedules, and cost structures
Develop and oversee financial models for: Title-level profitability Subject-level performance Production cost estimation and recovery
Analyze and optimize: Production workflows and cost drivers Design and manufacturing expenses Schedule-to-cost alignment across publishing programs
Oversee vendor strategy, contract negotiation, and procurement for production and design services
Evaluate opportunities for efficiency, scalability, and cost control across publishing workflows
Revenue, Royalty & Compliance Oversight
Oversee all aspects of royalty accounting, contract compliance, and financial obligations to authors and publishing partners
Establish policies and controls for advances, royalty structures, subsidiary rights income, and international transactions
Ensure accurate revenue recognition and financial treatment of publishing activities
Ensure compliance with tax regulations, audit standards, and contractual requirements
Organizational Leadership & Management
Lead and develop the finance function, including the Associate Director of Finance and accounting team
Establish clear roles, accountability, and performance expectations Promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and data-driven decision-making
Ensure appropriate staffing and resource allocation
Institutional & External Engagement
Represent the Press in University-wide financial planning, audit, and compliance activities
Represent the Press in University-wide IT governance, technology initiatives, and administrative coordination efforts
Maintain strong relationships with Duke financial and administrative offices
Participate in institutional strategy discussions and cross-functional initiatives
Administrative & IT Leadership
Provide executive oversight of Information Technology (IT), including systems infrastructure, security, support services, and technology strategy
Set and align IT strategy with financial, operational, and publishing priorities
Oversee governance, selection, and performance of enterprise systems, including financial, publishing, and reporting platforms
Ensure integration and interoperability across financial systems, publishing workflows, and enterprise technology
Lead IT-related vendor strategy, contract negotiation, and investment decisions
Establish policies and controls for data security, system access, and technology risk management in coordination with University standards Oversee administrative functions as assigned, which may include facilities, operations, or other shared services
Supervise IT leadership or maintain dotted-line oversight, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities
| Education/Training: | Bachelor's Degree in a related area, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience, and working knowledge of administrations, operations, or publishing. |
| Experience: | Work requires knowledge generally acquired through a minimum of six years' experience working with senior leadership. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE |
| Skills: |
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The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Duke University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
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Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.