Senior College Financial and Data Analyst

Job Summary

San José State University’s Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering is an innovative, collaborative, and supportive environment that empowers employees to achieve professional and personal goals while contributing to the university’s student-centered mission. A member of the 23-campus California State university system, San José State University is situated in the entrepreneurial heart of Silicon Valley. The College of Engineering at San Jose State University comprises ten departments and independent programs which employs nearly 400 faculty and staff to support more than 7,000 local and international students. Committed to excellence and service, the expert staff of the College of Engineering frequently work with multiple external stakeholders and partners from across campus and other institutions. 

The College of Engineering’s Senior Financial and Data Analyst is a key member of the college’s resources and operations group. The Senior Financial and Data Analyst works collegially and cooperatively with employees of the college to perform duties under limited supervision, and works independently to achieve specified outcomes while reporting to the Director of Resources and Operations.

The Senior College Financial and Data Analyst oversees the budget and financial affairs of the college to ensure proper financial management, working closely with the senior management team to maintain, enhance and grow the college's programs and financial objectives to achieve goals. The Senior Financial and Data Analyst performs a number of highly complex technical functions, using advanced fiscal analysis and projections for finding solutions to problems and developing new methods for execution. As the financial expert for the college, the Senior Financial and Data Analyst monitors and guides the college departments to appropriately manage their budgets and fiscal resources. The Senior Financial and Data Analyst oversees all college finances, including operating funds, PaCE funds, SSETF funds, and over 150 auxiliary accounts and advises the Dean and management team in making critical business decisions.

The College of Engineering is committed to bringing anti-racism practices into services and operations. This position advances strategic initiatives and ensures day-to-day business functions are aligned with the core values of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepares reports that outline and clarify the financial position of the college across multiple funding sources and auxiliary organizations.
• Reviews/approves financial transactions, including but not limited to, budget requests, travel transactions, and procurement/payment transactions for appropriate use of funding sources, compliance with university policies, and timely/accurate internal reporting.
• Processes financial transactions including but not limited to, budget/expense journals, expense transfers, HR expense adjustments, direct payments, reimbursements, invoicing, requisitions, and change orders.
• Advises the Dean and Director of Resources & Operations on sound fiscal practices and provides strategic guidance on managing the college’s annual operating fund budget, in excess of $20M.
• Manages the quarterly projections and year-end closing processes.
• Performs fiscal analysis related to budgets, funding, and critical projects involving the College.
• Conducts data analysis of salaries, faculty workloads, enrollment trends, and research activities to project future trends and associated fiscal impacts.
• Provides training and guidance to the college’s department chairs/directors, support staff, and faculty to facilitate compliance to financially-related policies and procedures.
• Provides leadership and work direction to a team of staff.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with a team
• Extensive and in-depth knowledge of budgetary procedures, accepted accounting principles, and financial management practices
• Ability to forecast and plan the use of revenue streams available to the College from all funding sources (including State General Funds, Trust Funds, external gifts, and contract awards)
• Ability to exercise initiative, flexibility, and substantial judgment and discretion
• Expert knowledge of software applications: word processing, spreadsheet, presentation programs, database management
• Ability to quickly learn PeopleSoft, Data Warehouse, and Common Finance System data management systems
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to respond to problems quickly, exercising sound judgment,