University of Chicago

Manager, Finance Service Delivery Unit Basic Science Department

University of Chicago$90K — $130K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
  • 5-7 years of experience in financial planning, budgeting, analysis, and compliance.
  • Strong financial management skills, especially in academic or healthcare settings.
  • Proficiency in financial principles and advanced tools, particularly Excel and reporting applications.
  • Ability to translate complex issues into understandable insights for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

  • Develop financial systems to uphold integrity and compliance in budgeting processes.
  • Prepare and analyze financial reports, ensuring adherence to policies and objectives.
  • Manage financial oversight of Internal Awards and Deposits Funds (IADF) and monitor faculty spending.
  • Collaborate on budget preparations, adjustments, and inclusive financial strategy implementation.
  • Provide insights and recommendations based on variance analyses to ensure financial stability.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health benefits including insurance coverage.
  • Retirement plans with employer contributions.
  • Paid time off, including vacation and sick leave.
  • Access to professional development resources and opportunities.
  • Supportive work environment that promotes work-life balance.
Full Job Description

Department

BSD AFA - Budget Staff 2


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.

Serves as a resource for operational units on financial, budget, academic strategy, faculty research productivity, and Faculty Compensation Plan issues. Collaborates with Executive Administrator, Director, Finance Service Delivery and departmental leadership team to develop and implement strategic initiatives for the Department. Prepares and advises others on operating budget for department. Provides project management and analytical support for special projects. Assists department leaders in analyzing proposals and developing proforma business plans. Regularly monitors all funds budget reports and accounting records to determine if revenue and expenses materialize according to plan. Responsible for monitoring and approving expense reimbursements. Reports on variances between the approved budget and actual performance and recommends remediation measures. Ensures accuracy and compliance with financial results by identifying and processing journal entries and payroll transfers, when necessary. Assists with assessment of efficiency and effectiveness of programs and procedures to ensure conformance with budgetary provisions.

Responsibilities

  • Developssystems/procedurestoensureintegrityandinternalfinancialcontrolsofannual operating budget and annual gift/endowmentuse.

  • Reviews financialandresearchinformation; prepares daily, monthly, and ad-hoc reports including dashboards; provides analysis of financial statements,identifiesvariances frompreviousperiods/budget;ensurespolicies/procedurestogovernfinancialdecision-making are followed to ensure achievement ofobjectives.

  • Responsible forfinancial managementof IADFs, and the associated report out and monitoring of facultyIADF award spending andawardfund balance. The finance manager uses this information toidentifyfinancial contingencies as it relates tolong rangefinancial planning.

  • Reconciles IADF fund deposit and transfer data between GL and IADF award inPPMtoensure IADF fund balance accuracy.

  • Collaborates with the BSD central office commitment database updateandmonitoring.

  • Monitorsaspectsofrechargeoperationsrevenuegeneration includingInternal andexternalbillingandregulatory compliance.

  • Assistswith tasks related to Monthly Close, including but not limited to Journal Entry and accrual preparation and completing variance analyses.

  • Integrateslong/short-rangestrategiesintodailyoperationalandfinancialplanning/reporting to ensure resources for strategic programs areavailable.

  • Performs analysis and interpretation of financialdata.

  • CreatesnewPI recruitproforma business plans and serves as chief information source for external benchmarkingandmarketassessmentstofacilitatePIrecruitment,workscloselywithDirectorof Finance to ensure business plans are coordinated relative to mission,PIdeployment, capital equipment, space,expense and fund support.

  • In collaboration with the Directorand department,leadsthe annual budgeting process.

  • Serves as a liaison with departmental stakeholders to collectgrant proposalsand awards,rechargevolumeassumptionsto build revenue budgets, including but not limited to Gifts,GrantsandEndowments.

  • Utilizes various systems and inputs to buildaccurateexpense budgets including salary and non-wageexpense.

  • Provides support in developing budget roll up and narrative, as well asidentifyingfinancial risks throughout budget processtoDirectorand department leadership.

  • Designs and managesfacultycompensation programs and tracks financial, research, academic and teaching targets for Section Leadership, existingfacultyandnewfacultyrecruits.

  • Reports on productivity measures and monitors progress,identifiesopportunities to streamline financial operations through best practices; monitors productivity, charge capture,revenueand expenses vs benchmarks toidentifyopportunities for expense reduction or productivity improvement.

  • Performs financial and research data analysis using internal data (Oracle, and other sources) and published benchmarking (MGMA, AAMC, etc.) to develop strategies and reporting to improve PI and departmental performance.

  • Analyzes and interprets financial information and assesses operational plans,forecastsand potential risks; evaluates alternative courses of action.

  • May manage/supervise staff; provides training, coaching, and mentoring in order to enable individual and team success.

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

  • 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.


Work Experience:

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


Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

  • MBA or advanced degree in accounting, finance, or a related field strongly preferred.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in accounting, financial planning, budgeting, analysis, forecasting, modeling, auditing, financial control systems, and regulatory compliance.

  • Extensive experience in financial management, including the ability to analyze data for budgeting, operations, auditing and accounts receivable and reserve analysis, and pro forma preparation strongly preferred.

  • Experience in higher education, healthcare, or academic medical center, with a proven track record of success in the financial environment strongly preferred.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

  • Aptitude for translating complex issues and ideas to general audience.

  • Proficiency in financial principles, practices, methodologies, and applications, including budgeting, planning, and reporting within the organization9s financial ecosystem.

  • Strong financial modeling skills within financial platforms.

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills, financial computing, and intellectual versatility and creativity.

Preferred Competencies

  • Ability to translate financial data into actionable insights and anticipate trends.

  • Demonstrated ability to navigate complex environments, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality.

  • Excellent analytical and organizational abilities, with a focus on maximizing efficiency within financial systems.

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

  • Collaborative work style with strong consultative skills, facilitating effective engagement with financial stakeholders.

  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects and competing priorities with minimal supervision, while navigating financial systems.

  • Strategic thinking and ability to translate strategic objectives into operational plans that consider the financial landscape.

  • Flexibility and ability to work effectively under pressure, adapting to changes within financial systems.

  • Demonstrated ability to think strategically.

  • Ability to develop and analyze alternative solutions and assist in making recommendations.

  • Flexibility and ability to work effectively and gracefully under considerable time pressure with competing deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Working Conditions

  • Office environment.

Application Documents

  • Resume (required)

  • Cover Letter (required)

  • Professional reference contactinformation


The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

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


Scheduled Weekly Hours

40


Drug Test Required

No


Health Screen Required

No


Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No


Pay Rate Type

Salary


FLSA Status

Exempt


Pay Range

$90,000.00 - $130,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the Universitys good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.


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 theBenefits Guidebook.

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