University of Chicago · 6 months ago
Director, Financial Administration
Chicago, IL
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$110K/yr - $143K/yr
7+ years expThe University of Chicago is committed to civic engagement and is seeking a Director of Financial Administration to provide strategic financial leadership for the Office of Civic Engagement. This role involves overseeing financial operations, budgeting, financial planning, and compliance to support the department's programs and initiatives.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Prepares financial statements, activity reports, and forecasts, providing direction on budgeting and accounting responsibilities, with a focus on optimizing use of the financial platforms
Leads the development and coordination of financial planning and reporting, including the creation of financial models to support decision-making within the department’s leadership
Collaborates with OCE leadership and budget managers to provide budget guidance, spending analysis, and revenue projections, utilizing expertise in the institution's financial systems
Provides financial input based on the development of data collection, metrics, reports and other analytical applications
Establishes and implements guidelines and procedures for departmental reporting to ensure compliance and streamline processes within the university’s financial systems
Stays updated on University procedures, system updates, and compliance requirements, particularly within the financial systems landscape
Works in collaboration with the University’s Research Administration team to administer, track, and manage OCE’s grants and contractual obligations
Reviews accounts to identify inconsistencies and recommend strategies to address financial issues, leveraging an understanding of both legacy and new financial systems
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
Partners with the central HR Business Partner for OCE as it relates to talent management and compliance with the University’s job architecture
Serves as an experienced liaison interacting with financial administrators within operational units on financial, budget or accounting matters to prepare, advise and recommend
Conducts quantitative and qualitative analyses to monitor and manage for expense optimization by identifying market drivers, enhance strategies, or improve revenue generation
Performs other related work as needed
Qualification
Required
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline
Preferred
Bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, accounting, statistics, economics, or a related field
MBA or advanced degree in finance, public policy, non-profit administration, or a related field strongly preferred
7 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
Familiarity with grant administration and budgetary compliance
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills, financial computing, and database software applications, with an emphasis on their integration with financial platforms
Proficiency in financial principles, practices, and applications, including budgeting, planning, and reporting within the organization's financial ecosystem
Strong financial modeling skills within financial platforms
Translate financial data into actionable insights and anticipate trends
Demonstrated ability to navigate complex environments, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality
Background working with senior university officials within the financial environment
Work independently and manage projects with minimal supervision, while navigating financial systems
Strategic thinking and translate strategic objectives into operational plans, considering the financial landscape
Work effectively under pressure, adapting to changes within financial systems
Passion for civic engagement and a commitment to the mission and values of the University of Chicago
Excellent analytical and organizational abilities, with a focus on maximizing efficiency within financial systems
Effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, essential for collaboration within the financial community
Collaborative work style with strong consultative skills, facilitating effective engagement with financial stakeholders
Benefits
Health, retirement, and paid time off
Company
University of Chicago
One of the world’s great intellectual destinations, the University of Chicago empowers scholars and students to ask tough questions, cross disciplinary boundaries, and challenge conventional thinking to enrich human life around the globe.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
University of Chicago has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (341)
2024 (318)
2023 (285)
2022 (233)
2021 (179)
2020 (172)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Benedicte Nolens
Distinguished Executive in Residence
Recent News
2025-11-08
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
2025-10-23
Company data provided by crunchbase