Senior Financial Analyst

Department
 

BSD AFA – Budget Staff 2

About the Department
 

The Biological Sciences Division (BSD) is the largest operating unit of the University of Chicago. It includes the Pritzker School of Medicine, twenty-three academic departments, twelve interdisciplinary degree-granting committees, and more than a dozen research centers and institutes. The BSD mission is to discover and create new knowledge of living systems, to preserve and communicate knowledge through education, and to nurture and sustain a community of scholars. These scholars pursue this mission through research, the education of basic scientists, physicians, and others interested in living things, and through enlightened and compassionate care of patients in a humane, academic environment. We have a long and rich history of discovery. Our academic departments have each developed and sustained outstanding programs of research and training in a broad range of programs. These are further enhanced by interdisciplinary committees, centers, and institutes. Unique among our peers, our Pritzker School of Medicine and basic biological science programs are housed in one division, allowing for strong collaborations between basic science and clinical research. Faculty, staff and students interact across programs and disciplines, creating collaborative and innovative approaches to the study of complex problems. As a part of the BSD Dean’s Office, BSD Finance works closely with the executive leaders and financial professionals within the BSD, University, and Medical Center. It currently contains a total staff of 16 people.

Job Summary
 

The job manages operating and capital budgets for divisions and/or University-wide administrative units. Helps develop long and short term financial goals, business strategies/plans, and financial forecasts/models for major service programs and initiatives. Manages quarterly and year-end reporting for the operating budget.

Responsibilities

• Analyzes budget estimates and proposals for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with established procedures, regulations, and organizational objectives.  Understands key assumptions and issues.

• Consolidates individual budgets into operating and capital budget summaries which argue for or against funding requests. Submits budget summaries to management.

• Monitors budget variances by reviewing reports and accounting records to determine if allocated funds have been spent, and work with department to identify underlying business drivers and potential problems.

• Utilizes various financial analysis techniques to assess program tradeoffs, and explore alternative funding methods.

• Devises financial models and provides analytical support for more complex projects.

• Develops and maintains key performance indicator reports/dashboards in clinical, research, and administrative areas.

• Prepares and deploys status reports to key users, providing meaningful information on projects, budgets and budget variances, statistics and productivity.

• Prepares data requested by both internal customers (eg. Sr. Management, Departments, University, Medical Center) and external entities (eg. AAMC, US News and World Report, government agencies, etc.).

• Provides consulting and advisory services to all levels of customers in the organization including executive and faculty leadership. Answer to inquiries by providing data analysis and relevant information, assist with financial improvement action plans, and complete various financial analysis projects as needed.

• Assesses, modifies and/or develops and implements processes/procedures/systems to increase efficiency, accuracy and insightfulness of data analytics.

• Provides training and education as needed to inside and outside department employees.

• Works independently to maintain and support the planning and execution of financial strategy.

• Uses best practices and in-depth financial knowledge to assist in the preparation of annual budgets. Works with minimal guidance to provide analytical support for complex budget projects. Examines past budgets and researches economic and financial developments that affect spending.

• Reviews estimated expenditures. Develops expenditure projections and periodic budget variance reports. Prepares forecasts as well as analyses.

• Acts as a resource for team members, solves complex problems. Explains complex and sensitive information.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

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

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Work Experience:

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

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Certifications:

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​Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• MBA or advanced degree in finance, public policy, not-for-profit administration, healthcare administration, or a related field.

Experience:

• Experience in a university or academic medical center.

• Financial modeling experience strongly preferred.

Preferred Competencies

• Knowledge of GAAP accounting principle, restricted fund accounting, grant accounting.

• Knowledge of financial computing and database software applications.

• Knowledge of various financial principles, practices, and applications including budgeting, financial planning, financial analysis, and financial reporting.

• Intellectual versatility and creativity.

• Strong analytical and organizational skills, attention to detail.

• Ability to work independently with sound judgement.

• Strong educational background with focus in business, economics or related technical field . Course work in accounting and finance.

• Proficiency Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills required. Ability to establish and maintain relationships at all organizational levels.

• Flexibility and ability to work effectively and gracefully under considerable time pressure on high visibility, high stakes projects.

• Ability to work non-traditional hours when necessary.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Financial Management

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, 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.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

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.

The University of Chicago’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.