Assistant Dean of Finance and Research Administration - JR27174-3800

at University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Description

• Provide leadership and stewardship on all financial operations for Harris School including budgeting, financial analysis, and reporting, purchasing, payroll, and reimbursements with attention to adherence to university and federal sponsored policies and procedures including reconciliation and audit controls.
  
• Be future-oriented and find ways to control costs while sustaining growth, productivity and efficient systems for decision making.
  
• Improve financial monitoring standards, processes, and technology to enable personnel the authority to effectively manage financial performance.
  
• Develops, implements, and manages policies and procedures, for forecasting, budgeting, accounts payable and accounts receivable. Provides leadership and coordination of financial planning to Harris School departments and faculty members.
  
• Uses best practices and in-depth knowledge of University's procurement and payment policies and procedures to review and monitor the goals and objectives of the Harris Administration, to ensure the monthly, quarterly, and annual spending goals are achieved.
  
• Constructs operational and financial plans for a variety of strategic initiatives and coordinates across the Harris's constituents to facilitate and monitor implementation, analyze outcomes and updates leadership through clear and regular communication.
  
• Responsible for the preparation and submission of annual budget and monthly forecasts to the Budget office. Ensure budgets are consistent with the mission of the division.
  
• Oversee the annual budget planning process and annual long-range plan.
  
• Make thoughtful and well-informed decisions.
  
• Collaborate with the University CFO's office, and Budget office on all financial matters.
  
• Collaborate with the Dean and Department Chairs to develop competitive new faculty start-up packages and faculty retention packages.
  
• Directs the administration and coordination of various grants and contracts for the support of research, training, and other sponsored activities at the Harris School.
  
• Supervises and leads all pre- and post-award activity for the Harris School and affiliated research Centers.
  
• Direct and oversee reporting and compliance efforts related to unit grants, gifts, and endowments.
  
• Strengthen management and monitoring of sponsored research projects and restricted fund activities to ensure financial accuracy and accountability.
  
• Oversees the development of research compliance education programs, supervise and train support personnel on pre- and post-award operations, and keeps current with University and federal regulations.
  
• Ensures all gifts and endowments are utilized in a timely manner and compliant with donor intent.
  
• Participate in the process of preparing and filing all federal, state, third party and other financial reports, as required, in a timely manner with appropriate University coordination.
  
• Provides leadership in identifying and communicating funding opportunities, continuous process improvement, compliance risks and other opportunities for positive change utilizing input from existing staff in URA, Divisions, and Schools, and from external professional organizations such as NCURA and COGR.
  
• Mentors and trains administrative support staff on all aspects of research administration.
  
• Remains current with agency and regulatory changes. Plans for unit compliance with University, Divisional and Department policies and procedures and implements corrective actions for issues identified.
  
• Assume the appropriate delegation of signature authority for contract review and authorization.
  
• Contribute to the Audit Committee and risk management assessment.
  
• Work closely with the University financial leadership to ensure conformity with University's finance policies. Revise or create divisional policies and procedures as needed.
  
• Conduct meetings and develop training to ensure compliance with established practices and keeps employees aware of current standards and changes that are occurring within the University.
  
• Manages financial staff through subordinates, usually other managers. Establishes performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for the related departments managed.
  
• Advises budgets for all areas within scope of responsibility. Directs quarterly and year-end reporting for the operating budget.
  
• Ensures that the Finance team is appropriately staffed, manages allocation of workload, provides oversight of training, and delivers performance feedback.
  
• Oversees functional business plans and contributes to the development of financial goals, strategies, plans, and policies for the unit.
  
• Performs other related work as needed.
  

• Bachelor's degree with an emphasis in finance or business.
  
• Master's degree in a related field.
  

• Ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in accounting, financial planning, budgeting, analysis, forecasting, modeling, auditing, financial control systems and regulatory compliance.
  
• Extensive experience in financial management skills, including the ability to analyze data for budgeting, operations, auditing and accounts receivable and reserve analysis, pro forma preparation.
  
• Highly proficient in financial and mathematical skills.
  
• Proven track record of leading organizational economic performance.
  
• Demonstrated understanding of federal regulations and sponsored program administration.
  
• Demonstrated understanding of both FASB & GASB accounting principles.
  
• Knowledge of research funding and appreciation for working in a research-intensive academic culture.
  

• Highly effective in verbal and written communication skills, including formulating recommendations and developing presentations.
  
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative.
  
• Outstanding critical thinking skills.
  
• Meticulous attention to detail.
  
• Ability to abide by confidentiality and privacy protocols.
  
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet aggressive deadlines.
  
• Results-oriented and committed to continuous improvement.
  
• Diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships, motivate and balance internal and external stakeholders.
  

• Resume/CV (required)
  
• Cover Letter (preferred)