Senior Financial Analyst
The University of Chicago

Job Info

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Department

PME Finance

About the Department

The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) was established in May 2019 and evolved from the Institute for Molecular Engineering, which was founded in 2011. The PME integrates science and engineering to address global challenges from the molecular level up. The PME's rigorous academic and research programs are made possible through the University of Chicago's unique partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering is the first new school at the University of Chicago in three decades and the first school in the nation dedicated to molecular engineering. In the next phase of growth as a School, the 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. The PME aims to bring solutions for urgent societal problems to the forefront, while training the next generation of scientific leaders and entrepreneurs.

Job Summary

We are seeking a collaborative and detail-oriented Senior Financial Analyst in the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. Reporting to and working closely with the Director of Accounting and Budget, this individual must be able to thrive in a fast-moving, decentralized environment. The Senior Financial Analyst will provide routine budgetary analysis to support PME leadership decision-making, maintain financial reports, and regularly update and reconcile them. This position will provide operational support to PME faculty, students, and staff as a local expert on university financial systems and policies. This position will function as a local financial expert to assist in the development, implementation, and optimization of workflows to achieve efficiency, and will work closely with the Director of Accounting and Budget on complex ad hoc projects. The ideal candidate has a can do, positive attitude, is an adept communicator, possess expert knowledge of university and external financial systems and policies, demonstrates excellent judgment and high ethical standards, and is passionate about aligning business operations with PME's vision and mission.

Responsibilities

• Provides specialized finance support for the department, including pre- and/ or post-award administration for all sponsored activity. Serves as liaison between PIs, University administrative offices, and external agencies.
• Analyzes industry trends and remains current with agency and regulatory changes. Monitors department/ unit compliance with University, Divisional and Department policies and procedures and implements corrective actions for issues identified.
• Manages the grants and effort allocations for Principal Investigators, meets with them and responds to their questions. Coordinates with other departments/units/divisions regarding multi-investigator grants. Serves as department contact for annual audits and agency site visits.
• Reviews all applications against University guidelines, in addition to drafting progress reports, non-competing applications, amendments, and budgeting.
• Provides analytical support by obtaining local domain knowledge and knowledge of reporting systems to create unique and impactful analysis for PME leadership and the University central budget office.
• Provides operational financial support; leads the implementation of new processes and policies, informing and training impacted teams on new processes and policies.
• Manages assigned budgets including forecasting, reconciling, and reporting.
• Oversees approvals and queue management with PME's Financial Coordinator.
• Provides financial and procurement policy support to research staff.
• Maintains good understanding of public (i.e., city-, state-, and federal-level) funding sources.
• Interacts on a frequent basis with University Research Administration, Financial Services, PME Human Resources, Provost's Office, and a variety of other University administrative units to promote information exchange, resolve issues that arise, and support PME faculty, missions, and vision.
• 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.
• 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:

• Bachelor's degree in related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of five years of progressively relevant experience.
• Administrative accounting, research administration, or grant and contract administration, preferably in a higher education research environment.
• Grant proposal preparation and writing including experience with budgets, ledgers, invoices, and fiscal reporting.
• Experience in one or more aspects of sponsored program administration in a research environment, or in faculty affairs.
• Familiarity with key financial concepts and how to read financial documents/statements, and familiarity with federal and non-federal grant and contract policies.
• Working in an academic unit and/or complex research university environment.
• Familiarity with Argonne National Laboratory and its unique partnership with the University.
• Analysis-based project experienced.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency with spreadsheet, database management, word processing software, and accounting software.
• Excellent computer skills evidenced by proficiency in Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat (including manage and analyze large data sets).
• Experience with a variety of university grant management systems - FAS, Business Objects, AURA, GEMS, & Buy Site (or similar systems).
• Experience with Python, R, SQL, or related programming languages.
• Mathematical and statistical background to support analysis work.

Preferred Competencies

• High level of collegiality in working with faculty, departmental and university administrators.
• Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated time-management, proactive approach to problem-solving, organization and coordination skills to handle multiple, concurrent tasks with deadlines, including strong financial and analytical skills.
• Must be result-oriented, have a high standard of excellence, exceptional planning, execution, analytical and judgment skills, strong analytical skills, and an outstanding commitment to and proven ability to advance an organization's priorities.
• Demonstrated initiative in improving processes and enhancing systems.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including outstanding judgment, discretion, a strong ethical approach to decision-making and a demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts fairly and diplomatically, and maintain confidentiality.
• Work independently, take direction, and achieve consensus.
• Edit and proofread documents at an advanced level.
• Handle public contacts with courtesy, clarity, and diplomacy.
• Maintain calm and courteous demeanor and work productively and efficiently despite heavy workload, competing priorities, constant interruptions, complex problems, and tight deadlines.

Working Conditions

• Flexible hybrid office/remote environment.
• Occasional extended work hours and some weekend days.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Three Professional References Contact Information (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe 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

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

Employees must comply with the University's COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected 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.

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