Lynsey Trueman
Santa Barbara,CA
Summary
Finance and operations leader with nearly 20 years of experience at the University of California, Santa Barbara, specializing in financial management within complex research and higher education environments. Proven track record in organizational leadership, change management, business process design, and enterprise system development and implementation, including large-scale ERP initiatives. Skilled at translating operational needs into effective systems and processes, while leading training and supporting end users to ensure successful adoption, strong financial oversight, and organizational efficiency.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Process Design Lead - Budget and Planning
University Of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
09.2025 - Current
- Spearheaded the design, development, and implementation of two comprehensive Data Warehouse reporting dashboards to support financial management of Sponsored Projects and Faculty Funds.
- Collaborated closely with developers to translate operational needs into effective reporting tools, leveraging expertise gained through the PGM design and implementation process to build, refine, and optimize reports that improve financial transparency, usability, and compliance.
- Played a key role in the testing, refinement, and development of business processes supporting the EPM Project Forecasting module within Oracle Financials Cloud, enabling users to project future payroll commitments using UCPath payroll data and forecast budgets, payroll, and non-payroll expenses for more effective management of Sponsored Projects and Faculty Funds.
- Developed and delivered training programs for faculty and administrative teams, including courses, quick reference guides, and hands-on support to enhance effective use of financial reporting and forecasting tools.
- Delivered ongoing end-user support and collaborated with developers to identify and resolve system issues.
- Developed training courses and quick reference guides to enhance user engagement with tools.
- Concentrated on improving integration between EPM, PGM, and FinHub ensuring reporting tools captured full scope of financial data for accurate reporting, forecasting, and regulatory compliance.
Business Process Design Lead - Office of Research
University Of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California
06.2023 - 09.2025
- Contributed to the design and implementation of a campus-wide ERP system to support the management of Sponsored Projects at a major research university.
- Served as subject matter expert, ensuring system alignment with institutional, regulatory, and operational requirements for research administration and financial management.
- Evaluated and improved grants management operations, focusing on process design, organizational alignment, and effective change management.
- Partnered with consultants, developers, and cross-functional stakeholders to translate business needs into system functionality, facilitating successful platform deployment.
- Contributed to multiple phases of system testing, validation, and refinement, identifying issues, enhancing workflows, and validating that the system supported end-user processes across departments.
- Designed and delivered training programs for end users, producing instructional materials like quick reference guides and training documentation to enhance system adoption.
- Provided ongoing end-user support and troubleshooting, helping faculty and administrative staff effectively utilize the new system
Chief Operating and Financial Officer - Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
09.2020 - 06.2023
- Ultimately responsible for the administration of all Federal and Private Contracts and Grants in the ICB, especially the Institute's $57 million ongoing University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) IDIQ Contract and Cooperative Agreement.
- Oversaw financial management of departmental funds and operating accounts, ensuring compliance with all relevant guidelines.
- Served as primary liaison between ICB and Army's Program Manager, Contracting Officer Representative, and Contracting Officer, facilitating resolution of contractual and financial matters related to the UARC.
- Worked with high-level Army personnel to resolve issues that arise, such as modifications to the UARC Contract or Cooperative Agreement, negotiating ceiling increases, and providing burn rate reports and justifications.
- Worked closely with the ICB Co-Directors and Director of Technology on all high-level matters pertaining to the ICB, especially the UARC.
- Led eight career staff members, providing guidance as COFO and Business Officer for the Institute for Collaborative Technologies (ICB) to enhance operational efficiency.
- Implemented new departmental procedures in response to system changes or changes to campus or federal guidelines.
- Participated in the Financial Modernization Management project as a Department & Project Financial Management Subject Matter Expert.
Director of Budget, Analysis and Administration - Enrollment Services
University of California, Santa Barbara
06.2018 - 09.2020
- Executed administrative objectives and policies for five enrollment services departments, enhancing operational alignment.
- Oversaw HR, payroll, budget, and financial administration for all departments.
- Collaborated with CFO to restructure division's budget and financial procedures, improving financial governance.
- Implemented costing guidelines and zero-based budgeting for 29 departments.
- Supervised and trained administrative staff across Admissions, Financial Aid, Registrar, grants, and outreach programs.
- Managed six career staff members in enrollment services administrative unit, fostering team development and efficiency.
- Coordinated recruitments, payroll, and HR actions for over 200 staff and 100 student employees.
Budget & Finance Manager- Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies
University of California, Santa Barbara
12.2012 - 06.2018
- Delivered financial reports and analyses to principal investigators, collaborators, and directors to support informed decision-making.
- Conducted financial forecasting and funding checks for payroll, procurement, and cost-sharing to ensure budget alignment.
- Managed post-award financial activities for university-affiliated research center contracts and other funding sources.
- Completed and submitted reports to the Army and other agencies; managed award closeouts for accounts.
- Developed and maintained procedure manuals for financial reporting systems to ensure compliance.
- Trained and supervised financial analyst and student assistants to enhance team performance.
- Liaised with subcontractors, institutions, and administrative departments to facilitate collaboration.
- Detected non-compliance issues among UCSB principal investigators and subcontractors, facilitating timely resolutions.
Financial Analyst - Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies
University of California, Santa Barbara
07.2010 - 12.2012
- Oversaw the daily financial activity for the multi-million dollar contracts and grants administered in a research institute at UCSB.
- Managed subcontracts, conducted financial analysis and provided recommendations to principal investigators and directors, reconciled payroll and financial ledgers, managed accounts payable and receivable, and processed expense transfers.
- Completed complex financial reporting for campus, Federal and State requirements.
- Collaborated with investigators and directors to develop tailored financial reports and analyses.
- Delivered analysis and recommendations for personnel actions and funding decisions.
- Analyzed existing policies and procedures as well as implementation of new processes.
- Provided training to employees on how to use financial and purchasing systems.
Accountant II - Business and Financial Services: Extramural Fund Accounting
University of California, Santa Barbara
09.2008 - 07.2010
- Managed contracts and grants from various government agencies, ensuring compliance and timely reporting.
- Collaborated with campus departments to support award administration and maintain relationships with funding agencies.
- Processed invoices and payroll transfers, submitted financial reports, and analyzed finances for multiple accounts to ensure accuracy.
- Manage multiple financial systems and a signature authorization system as well as complete testing for new financial systems and provide training to fellow employees on these systems.
Accountant - Business and Financial Services: Extramural Fund Accounting
University of California, Santa Barbara
05.2007 - 09.2008
- Processed and managed all incoming contracts and grants for UCSB campus, facilitating funding allocation and compliance.
- Tracked cost share for entire institution, ensuring compliance with regulations and funding requirements.
- Created accounts in financial system, establishing budgets and payment terms to support project funding.
- Deposited payments received, processed financial journals and managed project contribution.
- Completed an employee procedures manual.
Payroll Assistant - Business and Financial Services: Accounting/Payroll
University of California, Santa Barbara
02.2007 - 05.2007
- Processed all payroll and direct deposits for students employed at UCSB.
- Operated multiple computer systems including PPS, Corporate Time, and Thunderbird to ensure accurate payroll processing.
- Coordinated communication with departments across UCSB to resolve payroll issues and ensure timely employee payments.
- Completed rush/separation checks, reconciled overpayments and managed direct deposit and new hire information.
- Developed employee procedures guide and revised office forms to streamline payroll processes.
Education
Bachelors Degree - Business Administration
San Diego State University
San Diego, California01-2006
Skills
- Financial management
- Budget forecasting
- System implementation
- Data analysis
- Business process design
- Change leadership
- Training development
Timeline
Business Process Design Lead - Budget and Planning
University Of California, Santa Barbara
09.2025 - Current
Business Process Design Lead - Office of Research
University Of California, Santa Barbara
06.2023 - 09.2025
Chief Operating and Financial Officer - Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies
University of California, Santa Barbara
09.2020 - 06.2023
Director of Budget, Analysis and Administration - Enrollment Services
University of California, Santa Barbara
06.2018 - 09.2020
Budget & Finance Manager- Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies
University of California, Santa Barbara
12.2012 - 06.2018
Financial Analyst - Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies
University of California, Santa Barbara
07.2010 - 12.2012
Accountant II - Business and Financial Services: Extramural Fund Accounting
University of California, Santa Barbara
09.2008 - 07.2010
Accountant - Business and Financial Services: Extramural Fund Accounting
University of California, Santa Barbara
05.2007 - 09.2008
Payroll Assistant - Business and Financial Services: Accounting/Payroll
University of California, Santa Barbara
02.2007 - 05.2007
Bachelors Degree - Business Administration
San Diego State University