University of Chicago · 2 hours ago
Director of Finance
Chicago, IL
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$130K/yr - $140K/yr
7+ years expThe University of Chicago is a prestigious institution focused on developing innovations that benefit low- and middle-income countries. They are seeking a Director of Finance to manage financial operations, oversee budgets, and provide strategic guidance to the Lab's leadership team while ensuring compliance with financial policies and procedures.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Lead and manage a team of grant and finance managers who are responsible for managing project-level budgets with research teams for funding proposals, managing project spending through the project, and reporting regularly to donors
Supervise and mentor the finance and grants staff; establishes performance goals and allocates necessary resources
Provide financial analysis and strategic guidance to the leadership team as they make unit-wide financial decisions
Provide reports at least quarterly analyzing the Lab’s financial performance including analyzing spending against annual fiscal year budgets
Provide regular financial advice and ideas
Regularly watch for financial risks and problems and discuss these issues with leadership
Lead budgeting processes and oversee Lab’s financial picture
Manage organization-wide budget development and budget process, including monthly forecasting, fiscal year close out, and reporting to the Unit, Provost, Dean, and Budget Office. Offering strategic guidance throughout the planning and reporting processes. This includes gathering budget requests from across many projects and consolidating them for leadership, including flagging issues and ensuring data validity
Track performance against budget and provide strategic advice to the Lab’s leadership team as well as regularly provide actuals to the project teams
Over see the Lab’s interactions with the University’s financial system, including but not limited to oversee and audit reporting within the University’s General Expense Management System (GEMS) system each month. This includes reviewing individual expenses charged to various Lab accounts for correctness, applicability, and compliance with any donor requirements
Ensures compliance with University financial policies and procedures and builds systems that work for DIL culture that help ensure compliance and efficiency
Ensures adherence to University financial regulations and standards
Stays updated on changes in financial policies, grant requirements, and best practices
Manages, negotiates, and resolves financial compliance issues with various donors and University offices
Oversees a team of people, including a grants manager and associates who manage the procurement of all goods and services for the Development Innovation Lab. This includes ensuring compliance with University requirements as well as with any restrictions related to grant or gift funding
Collaborates with other University departments such as the Unit Finance team, Budget office, URA, and other partners
Direct effective collaboration between the finance team and research and policy teams, acting as a thought partner and problem-solver of the diverse needs of the organization
Oversees the management of payroll allocations across funding sources, ensuring funds are used appropriately as budgeted and for the efficient use of donor or other funds.Responsible for working with Lab leadership to avoid over- or under-staffing of activities
Manage time tracking system to aid leadership in project management and ensures grant and gift spending on salaries accurately aligns with staff effort
Works collaboratively with Principal Investigators, Research Directors, Research Staff, and Lab partners to develop new projects, proposals, and other initiatives
Develops, communicates, and implements financial policies and procedures. Communicates University guidelines and policies to staff and ensures that all expenses are compliant with those policies
Develops and conducts in-house staff trainings around pre- and post-award administration
Creates and directs processes to integrate international partner operational procedures and spending
Manages the development, monitoring, and evaluation of a consolidated annual and intermediate (typically three to five year) budget plan and budget process for a unit, as well as actual performance against budget
Manages the preparation of audits and value-add financial analysis. Advises senior management on financial reporting requirements
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
Lead and manage a team of grant and finance managers who are responsible for managing project-level budgets with research teams for funding proposals, managing project spending through the project, and reporting regularly to donors
Supervise and mentor the finance and grants staff; establishes performance goals and allocates necessary resources
Provide financial analysis and strategic guidance to the leadership team as they make unit-wide financial decisions
Provide reports at least quarterly analyzing the Lab's financial performance including analyzing spending against annual fiscal year budgets
Provide regular financial advice and ideas
Regularly watch for financial risks and problems and discuss these issues with leadership
Lead budgeting processes and oversee Lab's financial picture
Manage organization-wide budget development and budget process, including monthly forecasting, fiscal year close out, and reporting to the Unit, Provost, Dean, and Budget Office. Offering strategic guidance throughout the planning and reporting processes. This includes gathering budget requests from across many projects and consolidating them for leadership, including flagging issues and ensuring data validity
Track performance against budget and provide strategic advice to the Lab's leadership team as well as regularly provide actuals to the project teams
Oversee the Lab's interactions with the University's financial system, including but not limited to oversee and audit reporting within the University's General Expense Management System (GEMS) system each month. This includes reviewing individual expenses charged to various Lab accounts for correctness, applicability, and compliance with any donor requirements
Ensures compliance with University financial policies and procedures and builds systems that work for DIL culture that help ensure compliance and efficiency
Ensures adherence to University financial regulations and standards
Stays updated on changes in financial policies, grant requirements, and best practices
Manages, negotiates, and resolves financial compliance issues with various donors and University offices
Oversees a team of people, including a grants manager and associates who manage the procurement of all goods and services for the Development Innovation Lab. This includes ensuring compliance with University requirements as well as with any restrictions related to grant or gift funding
Collaborates with other University departments such as the Unit Finance team, Budget office, URA, and other partners
Direct effective collaboration between the finance team and research and policy teams, acting as a thought partner and problem-solver of the diverse needs of the organization
Oversees the management of payroll allocations across funding sources, ensuring funds are used appropriately as budgeted and for the efficient use of donor or other funds. Responsible for working with Lab leadership to avoid over- or under-staffing of activities
Manage time tracking system to aid leadership in project management and ensures grant and gift spending on salaries accurately aligns with staff effort
Works collaboratively with Principal Investigators, Research Directors, Research Staff, and Lab partners to develop new projects, proposals, and other initiatives
Develops, communicates, and implements financial policies and procedures. Communicates University guidelines and policies to staff and ensures that all expenses are compliant with those policies
Develops and conducts in-house staff trainings around pre- and post-award administration
Creates and directs processes to integrate international partner operational procedures and spending
Manages the development, monitoring, and evaluation of a consolidated annual and intermediate (typically three to five year) budget plan and budget process for a unit, as well as actual performance against budget
Manages the preparation of audits and value-add financial analysis. Advises senior management on financial reporting requirements
Performs other related work as needed
Preferred
A Master's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or a related field
Demonstrated experience in operations, grant administration, finance, or other related fields
Budget planning and forecasting, financial operations, and fiscal reporting
Working in a higher education or non-profit environment
Managing restricted funding such as endowments, sponsored awards, or contracts
High-level proficiency with spreadsheets, computer applications such as Word, Excel and accounting systems
Familiar with financial and accounting systems used in large organizations, such as Workday or Oracle/Peoplesoft
Demonstrated leadership skills and experience managing multiple direct reports, including mentoring, training, and development
Engage effectively with a diverse workforce in a complex research environment
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and comfortable with a consultative approach to interacting with employees
Exceptional organizational skills, with previous project management experience
A resourceful problem-solver and critical thinker who is proactive in leveraging opportunities, and anticipating and averting problems
Handle all employment information and issues with absolute discretion and confidentiality
Benefits
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including 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
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