Finance Manager

Location: Illinois: Chicago

Job Description:

• Provides direct supervision and mentorship to the Finance Associate(s) and Finance Coordinator(s).
• Assists the Director of Finance and Operations to develop and implement metrics and methodologies toolkits for evaluating financial performance for both the unit overall and specific assigned departments.
• Assists the Director of Finance and Operations in the annual budget process such as preparing departmental budget packets and inputting budgets into budgeting system.
• Helps to develop and maintain a Financial Administration manual for staff with relevant University policies and procedures.
• Analyzes, reviews, and tracks comprehensive financial activities for the Institute for Climate and Energy, primarily in the areas of finance, auditing, budgeting, and forecasting, purchasing, and other operational-related financial activities.
• Leads the development and coordination of financial planning and reporting, including the creation of multi-year financial models to support decision-making within the unit’s leadership.
• Oversees the review, approval, and reporting of all expenditure goods and services, and costing allocations.
• Leads reconciliation of actual expenditures and revenue against budget and prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual reports. Works closely with departments to understand variances and develop recommendations for programmatic changes or cost containment strategies to avoid deficits.
• Reviews financial reports and accounts to identify inconsistencies and recommend strategies to address financial issues, leveraging an understanding of University's financial systems.
• Approves financial transactions through the University procurement and payment systems.
• Assists staff with the GEMS system and runs reports to ensure that transactions are reconciled at regular intervals.
• Prepares presentations to convey financial and administrative matters to leadership and members of the assigned departments.
• Coordinates with CEI's Senior Grants Manager to integrate reporting, tracking, and management of CEI's grants and non-grant financial administration.
• Represents the department's financial interests in interactions with internal and external stakeholders, including the Budget Office and Financial Services Office, while utilizing knowledge of the organization's financial systems.
• Researches and advises the senior leadership at CEI on financial reporting requirements.
• Ensures that CEI’s decision-makers understand the short and long-term implications of current financial commitments.
• Monitors compliance with University policies and procedures.
• Creates and implements strategies for improving budget and financial planning processes while improving and maintaining robust administrative processes and policies to support efficient operations.
• Has a deep understanding of operational budgets for departments or other operational units. May recommend methods for improved financial operations.
• Serves as a resource for team members.
• Works independently to maintain and support the planning and execution of financial strategy.
• Reviews estimated expenditures. Develops expenditure projections and periodic budget variance reports. Prepares forecasts as well as analyses.
• Acts as a resource for team members, solves complex problems. Explains complex and sensitive information.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or related field.
• Master’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of financial analysis experience, with demonstrated expertise in financial systems.
• Background in an agency, institution, or corporate setting strongly preferred, with a proven track record of success in the financial environment.
• Proven record of increased responsibility in audit, risk mitigation and compliance, financial planning and analysis, accounting, change and project management, process improvement, operations transformation, and internal controls optimization roles highly preferred.
• Prior experience with finance administration and budgetary compliance, GAAP and practical implementation of financial policies, pronouncements, and procedures.
• Proven track record of superior financial and strategic analysis and operational savviness.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• In-depth knowledge of finance and accounting principles, commercial and governmental laws, and best practices.
• Knowledge of financial computing and database software applications, including Oracle, Orbit Reporting and GEMS.
• Knowledge of various financial principles, practices, and applications including budgeting, financial planning, and financial reporting.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent decision-making, time management, priority-setting and learning agility capabilities.
• Strong financial modeling skills.
• Strong technical and analytical accounting skills.
• Strong communication skills.
• Identify, analyze and resolve problems.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with absolute discretion.
• Think strategically and translate into operational objectives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Work closely with senior University officials.
• Work both independently and as a team member.
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills.
• Work effectively with team members, staff, and faculty across the University of Chicago, from faculty at the Chicago Booth School of Business, Harris School of Public Policy, Law School, and the Department of Economics, to other internal and external University of Chicago partners.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities, including developing strategic plans against a vision, and involving others in the execution.

Working Conditions

• Office environment; writing and typing, work at a computer for multiple hours.
• Periodic meetings at other campus locations.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter to include interest in position (required)
• References Contact Information (3) (required)

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form.

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