Finance Professional 4 Generalist - Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

About the Job

Are you a financial whiz with a knack for untangling complex situations? Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where research and operational budgets intertwine?

If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you! The FP4 position is responsible for managing the financial aspects of sponsored research projects and the departmental operating budget.

You will work closely with faculty members, administrators, and staff to ensure accurate financial reporting, compliance, and efficient use of resources.

This is a great opportunity for a highly organized and detail-oriented individual with a passion for finance and research administration.

40% - SPONSORED FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Responsible for a portfolio of faculty members’ sponsored federal research and university non-sponsored research support accounts and related activity.

This includes accounting budget and report preparation, general accounting, reconciliations, compliance and auditing, and approving or denying expenditures based on existing administrative requirements and policies.

• Regularly meet with faculty to review status of accounts and develop individualized financial projections and reports, including providing regular financial management and oversight to faculty accounts to monitor issues, identify problems, and improve financial project management.
• Provide regular faculty financial reports and provide expert advice to faculty for planning purposes.
• Develop specialized budgets for new faculty to assist in managing substantial startup fund packages, navigate department processes, etc.
• Collaborate with faculty and administrative staff running three large centers; communicate sponsor and University policies to trainees and advisors, manage collection and use of matching funds from various University units, provide projections and budgets to faculty PIs, and reconcile sponsored training grant budgets to correctly utilize funds.
• Work with SFR (Sponsored Financial Reporting) to analyze detailed reports provided to federal and industry sponsors for accuracy.
• Work with SPA (Sponsored Projects Administration) to ensure federal research award requirements are met and ensure research grants are closed out properly.
• Serve as personnel effort coordinator for assigned faculty portfolio; and develop individualized faculty effort plans for academic year and summer salary, which involves a complex review of sponsored project committed effort, BME and CSE effort policy, and faculty teaching plans.

40% - DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET MANAGEMENT

• Responsible for overall departmental operations budget preparation and financial management.
• Prepare annual fiscal year budgets in EFS (Enterprise Financial System); prep and submit position budgeting and oversee staff entry of budget detail for non-sponsored chart strings.
• Create, analyze and maintain projections on monthly Department Operating reports and Fiscal Year End Operating report. Identify trends, concerns and opportunities;

meet regularly with Department Head and chief of staff to present and implement suggestions.

• Anticipate business needs of the department, develop and analyze alternatives, and make recommendations to faculty and unit leaders regarding department policy, operating budgets, hiring decisions, and federal grant spending.
• Identify areas for process improvement in purchasing, finance and payroll functions; develop suggested strategies for improvement and meet regularly with Department Head and Administrator to present, discuss and implement.
• Manage the department’s indirect cost recovery process and allocations.

10% - CERTIFIED APPROVALS

Review and approve accounting activity for compliance with federal agency and university regulations as certified approver;

serves as backup department level 1 approver.

Provide input and oversight of purchasing and accounting activity for faculty, students and staff : accounting processes and procedures, overall financial compliance, evaluation of workload issues and tasks, training and orientation of purchasing personnel and employees, analyze and improve workflows;

serve as a resource to colleagues and faculty on financial matters; identify areas for improvement.

5% Report and analytics generation

Develop financial reporting and metrics as directed by the Chief or Staff or Department head

5% - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Represent department and college on University-wide work groups and committees.
• Attend training and meetings to stay current on University, state, and federal regulations and systems.
• Improve department finance and purchasing processes and policies using knowledge gained at trainings and in committees.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BA / BS degree plus at least 5 years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal nine years.
• Experience with financial planning or budget management.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve complex problems proactively.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and direct multiple projects and interrelated financial activities with major operational or funding impact.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate the department's business needs, develop and analyze alternatives, and make recommendations to faculty and unit leaders regarding budgets and sponsored projects.
• Ability to constructively communicate complex financial data and issues to a non-financial audience
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Skills and ability to work toward becoming a certified approver within one year of employment if not already appointed as such.
• Familiarity with University and sponsored accounting (Federal and non-Federal) regulations and University financial systems.
• Experience with data visualization and presentations

About the Department

Department Vision : Empowering people and breaking boundaries through innovative research and education.

Department Mission : To lead our disciplines through pioneering research, innovative teaching, and exemplary service in an inclusive and collaborative community.

Overview : The Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science (CEMS) at the University of Minnesota (UMN) is renowned for its pioneering scholarly work and influence on graduate and undergraduate education, extending over half a century.

The Department has produced numerous legendary engineering scholars and current leaders in academia and industry. In 1970, CEMS was the first to foster the far-reaching marriage of two disciplines chemical engineering and materials science in one integrated Department, producing a unique and collaborative environment in which the natural synergies between the two fields could be realized.

Pace-setting research and education programs now span nearly all chemical and materials engineering branches.

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you’ll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning.

We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also 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
• 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)
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area
30+ days ago