Senior Financial Systems Audit and Analytics Architect

Department The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (UChicago PME) is the first school in the nation dedicated to molecular engineering, integrating science and engineering to address global challenges from the molecular level up. PME’s rigorous academic and research programs are enhanced through the University of Chicago’s partnership with Argonne and Fermi National Laboratories, and the broad excellence of scholarship and education on campus. As a School in its next phase of growth, PME will continue to expand its team of world‑class faculty researchers and empower students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with faculty in cutting‑edge facilities. PME aims to bring solutions for urgent societal problems to the forefront while training the next generation of scientific leaders and entrepreneurs. Job Summary Reporting to the Senior Associate Dean and COO, the Senior Financial Systems Audit and Analytics Architect leads the design, integration, and optimization of financial information systems and controls. The role develops dashboards, conducts financial audits, and creates predictive models to support PME’s long‑term strategy. The position partners across finance, IT, and research administration and plays a key part in UChicago’s Oracle ERP implementation. As a strategic financial advisor, the Architect informs budgeting, forecasting, and investment decisions for all funding streams, leads reporting and operational efficiency efforts, promotes best financial practices, and ensures compliance, strengthening fiscal health and driving process transformation. Responsibilities Architects, enhances, and maintains advanced financial reporting systems, dashboards, and analytic tools to maximize accuracy, accessibility, and insight for decision‑makers; conducts detailed financial audits including unbilled and unpaid receivables, collaborating across departments to resolve discrepancies and strengthen controls. Designs, creates, and implements new integrative reports and analyses on an ad hoc basis to support evolving and time‑sensitive needs. Champions ethical and responsible AI integration in financial management processes and report design. Expands audit analytics to proactively identify and mitigate risk, strengthen compliance, and safeguard financial integrity, building scalable solutions for School‑wide and campus‑wide use. Leads process automation and optimization projects, collaborating with PME and University‑wide teams to align Oracle and related data architectures. Builds and maintains predictive financial models, working closely with leadership to forecast resource needs and guide investment strategies. Performs comprehensive audits, including sponsored awards, receivables, unbilled and unpaid; resolves discrepancies and implements improvements to strengthen financial controls. Develops and delivers unit‑wide grant activity and portfolio analyses, identifying trends, risks, and strategic opportunities. Holistically reviews and organizes COA and POETAF segment naming conventions to ensure common use of secondary segments across entities and support robust, coherent campus‑wide financial reporting. Leads cross‑functional initiatives to automate billing and account receivable processes, partnering with central and school‑level teams. Analyzes faculty and operational unit funding portfolios, including evaluating past funding success, current grant activity, trends and spend rate, and strategic alignment with PME goals; and recommends areas for improvement. Advises stakeholders on compliance, risk management, and scenario‑planning related to institutional and sponsored funding. Supports annual budgeting, forecasting, and long‑term financial planning cycles, actively informing executive‑level strategy. Fosters collaboration and communication across programs, finance units, and external partners to optimize collections and compliance efforts. Initiates and oversees projects focused on system innovation, compliance, and efficiency. 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 expense optimization by identifying market drivers, enhancing strategies, or improving revenue generation. Reviews estimated expenditures, develops expenditure projections and periodic budget variance reports, and prepares forecasts and analyses. Acts as a resource for team members, solves complex problems, and explains complex and sensitive information. Performs other related work as needed. Minimum Qualifications Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in a related field. Preferred Qualifications Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, information systems, or a directly related field; advanced degree preferred. 5–7 years of progressive experience in financial systems, audit, reporting, and analytics within higher education or research‑intensive environments. Deep Oracle ERP proficiency and financial IT integration expertise. Familiarity with AI integration in financial tool development. Advanced analytical, modeling, and report development skills (Excel, BI tools, SQL). Demonstrated ability to lead projects, manage change, and influence at all levels. Detailed knowledge of grant management, receivable tracking, and compliance. Excellent communication, teamwork, and stakeholder management skills. Strong problem‑solving ability, strategic thinking, and process optimization aptitude. Familiarity with federal, private, and institutional grant regulations. Benefits Eligible Yes. The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call View phone number on click.appcast.io or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. 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