Priority consideration will be given to applications received July 24th.

Position Overview:

Serving as a vital leadership team member, the ECE Finance Manager ensures fiscal compliance and directs departmental financial operations. This Professional & Academic role demands significant expertise in both sponsored and non-sponsored research accounting. A central focus involves the supervision, mentorship, and professional growth of the department's accounting staff. Additionally, the manager will establish efficient accounting workflows to enhance competency in managing diverse funding sources while acting as a primary liaison between the department and University central administration. This position reports to the department Chief of Staff.

Visa Language: Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Job Duties:

Team Management and Supervision (30%)

• Direct the growth and professional advancement of the finance team (currently two Finance Professional 3s and one Finance Professional 1) through mentorship and performance evaluations.
• Coordinate operational workflows, establish departmental priorities, and manage task distribution.
• Monitor staff performance, offering constructive critiques and identifying necessary educational programs.
• Implement cross-training initiatives to ensure the department maintains reliable and continuous service quality.
• Cultivate a team-oriented workplace by integrating staff feedback into the refinement of policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with the Chief of Staff to address intricate challenges and enhance operational workflows and effectiveness.

Finance and Grants Management Oversight (50%)

• Evaluate the department's financial climate, identifying potential risks and strategic opportunities while keeping leadership informed and proposing corrective measures.
• Supervise all financial services, including sponsored and non-sponsored funds, pre-award proposal development, payroll, and procurement, to resolve management issues and implement optimized procedures.
• Partner with research accountants to generate comprehensive account reports for faculty members.
• Direct the implementation of grants management protocols and maintain oversight of the Effort Certification process.
• Lead annual budget preparation and strategic financial planning in conjunction with the Chief of Staff and department accountants.
• Execute duties as a Certified Approver and Level II department authority, reviewing and authorizing financial transactions, travel requests, and fund transfers.
• Provide expert guidance on the setup and re-budgeting of sponsored awards.
• Ensure continuous compliance by interpreting and communicating complex agency guidelines, such as NSF and A-21 regulations.
• Conduct regular audits of chartstrings and manage corrective actions until all discrepancies are resolved.
• Manage formal correspondence with internal and external agencies and advise accounting staff on technical communications.
• Coordinate and draft responses for internal and external audit examinations.
• Utilize MnGEMS to manage award lifecycles and facilitate the establishment of subcontracts and consortiums with collaborating institutions.
• Act as the primary department contact for the University Foundation regarding fund transfers and award setup.

Department Strategic Financial Projects (10%)

• Formulate and deliver in-depth financial assessments, including trend and variance analysis, along with comprehensive fiscal statements as directed by the Department Head and Chief of Staff.
• Oversee the coordination of complex, multi-investigator grant proposals, partnering with the Chief of Staff when appropriate.
• Audit existing financial workflows and methodologies to create innovative tools that drive operational efficiency.
• Undertake specialized strategic financial initiatives as designated by leadership.

University-wide, Collegiate & Department Citizenship, and Other Duties as Assigned (10%)

• Foster collaborative partnerships across the University by building and sustaining robust professional relationships.
• Engage in various administrative and fiscal policy discussions through active participation on assigned committees.
• Maintain current knowledge of industry standards in Departmental Research Administration through active involvement with professional bodies like SRA International or NCURA.
• Carry out additional responsibilities as required to effectively oversee the department's financial and accounting operations.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS and at least six (6) years of professional accounting experience.
• U of M Certified Approver.

Preferred Qualifications

• BA/BS in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field
• Proven ability to lead and develop personnel while fostering effective cross-functional collaboration.
• Familiarity with University-specific financial regulations and research accounting protocols.
• Direct experience managing the University's Effort Certification systems.
• Background in higher education environments with a grasp of academic institutional culture, particularly within engineering disciplines.
• Exceptional proficiency in both verbal and written communication.
• Skill in coordinating diverse projects and meeting strict deadlines, whether working autonomously or within a collective.
• Evidence of success in problem identification and resolution.
• A commitment to ongoing professional education and advancement.
• Capable of taking ownership of duties with high levels of proactive, creative, and independent initiative.
• History of navigating sensitive and intricate matters with effectiveness.

About the Department

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is one of the largest departments within the College of Science and Engineering. Current research areas include Biomedical and Biological Computation Methods; Devices and Systems; Communications, Signal Processing, and Networking; Computer Engineering, VLSI, and Circuits; Fields, Photonics, and Magnetics; Micro and Nano Structures; Sustainable Energy Systems, Power Electronics and Drives; Systems and Controls. To learn more about the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Minnesota, please visit the department website (https://cse.umn.edu/ece).

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $100,000 - $120,000 per year; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Required application materials:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Select One Writing Samples
• Select One Portfolio
• Select One References

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [email protected] or call (612) 624-8647.