Strategic Projects Manager, University Finance Office

Position Title:

Strategic Projects Manager, University Finance Office

Position Type:

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Hiring Range:

$144,500 - $180,617 per year; Compensation will be based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.

Pay Frequency:

Annual

A. POSITION PURPOSE

The Manager of Strategic Projects is a visionary, high-level individual contributor responsible for leading complex operational transformations within the University Finance Office. Reporting directly to the AVP for Finance, this role's primary and most urgent mandate is to re-engineer and modernize the University’s endowment and investment reconciliation processes.

Secondary initiatives include optimizing the gift revenue accounting cycle and transitioning student account reconciliations to the Bursar’s Office. This position acts as a technical process architect, requiring deep expertise in GAAP, university endowment accounting, complex investment structures (Alternative Investments), and financial systems integrations.

B.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Endowment & Investment Reconciliation Redesign (Priority Project - 50%)

• Objective: Completely modernize and automate the reconciliation workflows between the Investment Custodians (e.g., TNT, Northern Trust), the General Ledger (Workday), and the Endowment Management System (Fundriver).
• Process Re-engineering: Conduct a deep-dive audit of current month-end investment accounting tasks. Work alongside the Investment & Financial Reporting Manager to transition away from manual spreadsheet-based "statement balancing" toward automated unitization and market value validations.
• Alternative Investments Workflow: Redesign the tracking, recording, and reconciliation mechanisms for Alternative Investments, capital calls, distributions, and K-1s. Establish a more streamlined solution for capturing fair market value adjustments (ASC 820) for illiquid assets.
• Audit & Control Implementation: Establish a new, rigorous monthly and quarterly review cadence. Create comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) ensuring that investment activity is accurately unitized in Fundriver and securely posted to the General Ledger well ahead of fiscal year-end audit deadlines.

2. Gift Revenue Cycle Optimization (20%)

• Objective: Resolve historical reconciliation issues between the Development Office’s donor database (CLARA) and the Finance General Ledger.
• Workflow Integration: Analyze the "holding/clearing fund" process. Redesign the workflow to minimize the volume of gifts sitting in suspense accounts during month-end and quarter-end close.

3. Student Account Reconciliation Transfer (30%)

• Objective: Lead the strategic "lift and shift" of student account reconciliations from the Controller’s Office to the Bursar’s Office.
• Process Mapping: Audit current workflows performed by the Accounting Manager/Senior Accountant related to student financials and optimize.
• Interim Execution & Handoff: Serve as the transitional process owner to stabilize student account and agency fund reconciliations (e.g., Cal Grants, Title IV). Once the vacant University Bursar position is filled, systematically train the new Bursar and their staff to take over these reconciliations.

D.   GENERAL GUIDELINES

1. Recommends initiatives and implements changes to improve quality and services.

2. Identifies and determines cause of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices. 

3. Maintains contact with customers and solicits feedback for improved services.

4. Maximizes productivity through use of appropriate tools; planned training and performance initiatives.

5. Researches and develops resources that create timely and efficient workflow.  

6. Prepares progress reports; informs supervisor of project status; and deviation from goals.

7. Ensures completeness, accuracy and timeliness of all operational functions.  8. Develops and implements guidelines to support the functions of the unit.

E.   QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred.

This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment and to promote and contribute to an inclusive and respectful workplace.

KNOWLEDGE: 

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