Financial Analyst

Finance Specialist III

The Cornell Brooks School of Public Policy is shaping the future through research, education, and engagement that addresses society's most pressing challenges. Our finance team plays a critical role in supporting the school's centers, institutes, degree programs, and leadership through sound financial stewardship, strategic planning, and data-driven decision-making.

The Opportunity

Are you a finance professional who enjoys turning complex data into meaningful insights? Do you thrive when balancing detailed analysis with strategic thinking? If so, we invite you to join our collaborative and highly visible finance team as a Financial Analyst.

In this role, you'll partner with the Director of Finance and budget and academic and administrative leaders across the Brooks School to support budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and financial planning efforts. You'll serve as a trusted advisor, helping leaders understand their financial position, make informed decisions, and plan for the future.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working independently while also working collaboratively with a team and building strong relationships across an organization. You'll have direct exposure to senior leadership and an opportunity to make an impact on the financial health and strategic direction of the school.

What You'll Do

As a Financial Analyst, you will:

• Develop, analyze, and maintain budgets, forecasts, and financial reports for centers, institutes, and academic programs.
• Partner with directors and leadership to provide financial guidance and support strategic decision-making.
• Analyze financial trends and identify opportunities, risks, and recommendations.
• Prepare financial data and presentations for senior leaders, including the Dean and leadership team.
• Develop and maintain reporting tools that provide accurate, actionable financial information.
• Support contracts and grants administration as part of a collaborative finance team.
• Monitor financial activity and ensure compliance with university policies and sponsor requirements.
• Translate complex financial information into clear, meaningful insights for a variety of stakeholders.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and exceptional customer service.

What We Need

We're looking for someone who combines strong technical expertise with excellent relationship-building skills.

Successful candidates will bring:

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Accounting, finance or business administration bachelor's degree and 3 to 4 years relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Knowledge of financial and data management systems, including but not limited to Kuali Financial Systems, Oracle BI, Workday, Longview, and other relevant applications.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Excel, Word, Power Point).
• High attention to detail, able to work independently and prioritize multiple deliverables in a changing environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are required.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team while maintaining confidentiality.

It Would Be a Bonus if You Have Any of the Following

• Prior experience at a higher education institution.
• Experience working closely with PIs and management of sponsored research portfolios.

Why You'll Love Working Here

Joining the Brooks School means becoming part of a small, highly collaborative team where your contributions are visible and valued.

You'll enjoy:

• Meaningful work that supports academic excellence and public impact.
• A collaborative environment where colleagues readily support one another.
• Direct interaction with school leadership and decision-makers.
• Exposure to a broad range of financial activities, from budgeting and forecasting to strategic planning and grants administration.
• Professional development opportunities through Cornell's extensive training and educational programs.
• A flexible, hybrid work environment that promotes both collaboration and work-life balance.

Important Notes About Applying

• A resume and cover letter outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.
• This position is based in Ithaca, NY and is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement of three days on campus and two days remote. To support onboarding and initial training, the selected candidate may be expected to work fully on site during the first 90 days. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell