Manager, Process Improvement and Strategic Initiatives

The Manager, Process Improvement and Strategic Initiatives role is a 2-year term position responsible for managing a number of initiatives within the Procurement organization.

The manager will serve as an internal consultant and project manager in leading a broad range of strategic and operational activities to improve our service, compliance and financial processes, with an emphasis in the areas of accounts payable, expense management, disbursements and regulatory reporting. The manager must be a results-oriented problem solver with a strong background in project management, data and financial analysis and change management with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

The manager will place a strong focus on process improvements and have the ability to work independently, as well as lead cross-functional project teams.  The role requires the ability to collaborate effectively with process partners and stakeholders throughout the University and will be tasked with improving existing processes and documenting all procedures to facilitate knowledge transfer and training. The role will provide operational support in the disbursements and rebate/expense chargeback processes, improve and automate the account reconciliation process, manage the University escheatment process, and serve as the lead for all audit and compliance requests. The role will also serve as the project lead to implement enhancements to technology in the expense reporting platform.

A strong understanding of how to use technology to improve business processes and to deliver service is essential. The ideal candidate will be a creative thinker, self-motivated and organized, exceedingly observant of and sensitive to the culture of the university and its many constituencies, inherently collegial and service oriented, and an excellent writer and communicator. The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional judgment and integrity, as well as interest in, familiarity with, and understanding of the wide range of issues affecting Princeton University.

The Office of Finance & Treasury actively searches for staff members of exceptional ability and promise who share in Princeton University’s commitment to excellence, and who present a diversity of viewpoints and cultures. We offer varied professional opportunities spanning all aspects of financial management, analysis, and processing in support of the teaching and research mission. As part of the University community, we respect the dignity and individuality of each member while trying to foster a sense of shared experience and common purpose. We are unwavering in our commitment to both diversity and community and embrace the variety of talents, backgrounds, and perspectives of all our colleagues.

The role serves as an internal consultant and manager for a number of high-priority projects to improve our financial processes and systems and must be able to lead a project from original concept through final implementation. The manager must have the ability to document current business processes, work with stakeholders to re-design and communicate future-state processes and use data analysis to inform recommendations. Establishing metrics for evaluating effectiveness of new tools and processes will be required along with the ability to balance service excellence while improving efficiency and compliance.

Operations/Process improvements 

• Provide backup support for departmental disbursement activities
• Manage all rebate and expense chargeback processing with the goal of automating the current state
• Manage and automate the monthly reconciliation process
• Document current business processes and works with stakeholders to re-design and communicate future-state processes

Compliance Initiatives 

• Manage the University escheatment filing process in multiple states
• Develop and implement a plan to substantially increase escheatment process efficiencies through process automation and/or technology enhancements
• Collaborate with functional teams to identify and design processes, procedures, and reports required to support the audit response strategy and establish the proper balance between risk and efficiency
• Partner with Finance, Audit and Compliance, OGC, Human Resources and other teams as appropriate to identify and respond to all audit requests

Special Projects 

• Serve as the project lead to implement additional functionality in our expense reporting platform (Oversight/Detect implementation).
• Evaluate and formulate recommendations to outsource escheatment process to a third party provider.
• Lead and manage other priority initiatives as identified.

Quality & Compliance 

• Establish framework for continuous improvement with a special focus on fraud mitigation
• Enhance service delivery through streamlining operations

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor degree in accounting, finance, or business-related field required, MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
• 5-7 years of related work experience.
• Project management and/or consulting experience with a focus on business process improvement, preferably in technology, finance, or higher education.
• Strong problem solving, analytical, and investigative research skills.
• Demonstrated record of success as a consensus-builder and facilitator who listens carefully to input from colleagues and stakeholders and achieves successful outcomes.
• Excels at understanding and synthesizing financial data for communications and decision making.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Access and Excel and process tools such as Visio.
• Evidence of self-motivation and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively with teams.
• High ethical standards representative of Princeton University’s commitment to excellence.
• Outstanding organizational, prioritization, and multi-tasking skills, working in a fast paced environment.
• High resolve to drive for tangible results

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of University operations at Princeton, or an institution similar to Princeton, is preferred.
• Knowledge and experience with compliance and financial operations in disbursement processes is a plus.
• PeopleSoft Financials experience, preferably 9.2.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

36.25

No

Yes

180 days

No

Two years from start date

No

No

Mid-Senior Level

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