Senior Financial Analyst

Senior Financial Analyst

The Senior Financial Analyst will provide analytic and project management support for the University of Chicago Budget Office, which reports directly to the Provost. The Senior Financial Analyst will work collaboratively with financial managers and experts throughout the University, including academic and administrative unit financial leaders, Financial Services staff, and the University Financial Planning and Analysis group. The Senior Financial Analyst will serve as the primarily financial liaison to the Budget Office for assigned units and will be responsible for providing those units with budget development and financial management support with annual and monthly University budget processes. The Senior Financial Analyst will also support the development and integration of university-wide financial data analytics and reporting, with a focus on the development of a common set of metrics and methodologies for evaluating both University and unit-specific financial performance.

Responsibilities

• Assists in the development of operating budget targets for major units and analyzes unit submitted forecasts and proposals for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with established procedures, regulations, and organizational objectives.
• Works closely with units to understand actual to budget variance and develop recommendations for programmatic changes or cost containment strategies to avoid deficits.
• Assists in the development, interpretation and implementation of highly complex financial/accounting concepts and advanced techniques for financial planning and forecasting.
• Performs business case analyses and provides quantitative modeling support for various financial management projects in the Budget Office and the Office of the Provost.
• Prepares presentations to convey financial and administrative matters to leadership and members of the University community.
• Creates financial models that employ scenario analysis for future University planning and budgeting decisions.
• Develops and implements metrics and methodologies toolkits for evaluating financial performance for both the University and specific administrative and academic units.
• Coordinates with all levels of management and individuals across the University to gather, analyze, summarize, and prepare recommendations regarding financial plans, operating forecasts and other complex financial matters.
• Builds and maintains complex financial models using Excel, Hyperion, and other analysis and reporting tools and systems as necessary.
• Participates in use case testing and analytical support for changes to University budgeting and financial management systems and supports design and implementation efforts for future systems.
• Reports on variances between the approved budget and actual performance and recommends revised procedures.
• Provides specialized analysis and administration of the budget.
• Has a deep understanding of operational budgets for departments or other operational units.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or relevant field.
• Experience in a university setting, or other not-for-profit enterprise.
• Knowledge of financial computing and database software application.
• Knowledge of various financial principles, practices, and applications including budgeting, financial planning, and financial reporting.
• Experience with accounting systems and budget systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Competencies

• Attention to detail.
• Organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated time management ability to deliver high-integrity products within established deadlines.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (optional)
• References Contact Information (3)(required)

Job Family: Financial Management

Role Impact: Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 37.5

Pay Rate Type: Salary

FLSA Status: Exempt

Pay Range: $99,000.00 - $115,000.00

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.

Posting 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. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.