Senior Financial Analyst

About the Department

Please read the following job description thoroughly to ensure you are the right fit for this role before applying.

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.

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.

Work Experience :

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

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)

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