Sr Financial Analyst

Pay Grade: 32E

Context of the Job:

College of Engineering has a complex financial portfolio including an operating budget in excess of $100M, $45M of research expenditures, and nearly $65M of endowment funds, gifts, and discretionary reserves. Operating in a decentralized budget model requires colleges to establish long­ range financial projections, to innovate and renew revenue streams, and to manage strategic decisions through the use of extensive business modeling.

Under the limited direction of the Senior Business Officer, the incumbent serves as the Lead Financial Officer in the College of Engineering and is responsible for the managerial oversight of the daily operations and long-term financial planning and analysis for the College. The incumbent provides counsel to the Senior Business Officer through interpreting financial data and developing complex financial models used to drive the Deans decision-making and strategic planning initiatives. The incumbent is responsible for the development of and regularly updating the Colleges five-year financial plan based on University and College policy changes. Responsible for preparing, implementing and evaluating Department budget allocations and expenditures. Works with the Senior Business Officer to develop and implement new College financial policies and procedures.Provides leadership and direction for the Colleges Business Intelligence Group including gathering, reporting and analyzing the data associated with the Colleges finances, human resources, research and students.The incumbent serves as a liaison with the Colleges Department chairs and Administrative Units, University Budget Office and other University Administrative units. The incumbent has a University-wide impact by serving on high-level University Task Forces and employment search committees and participates in other University financial meetings such as the Academic Financial Group Meeting. The incumbent supervises one Financial Analyst staff member, sets own work priorities, and exercises independent judgment in making decisions concerning financial analysis and recommendations.

Major Responsibilities:

Budget & Planning

• Develops multi-year budget plans and projections that ensure the College can effectively implement its strategic and business plans.
• Manages the daily resource and financial operations of the College. Implements the allocation decisions to units, monitoring and evaluating expenditures on College budgets and monitoring, preparing, and interpreting complex financial reports.
• Approves and processes revenue, expenditure and department budgets, budget turnaround updates, and the maintenance of accounts and ledgers, ensuring compliance with appropriate University regulations and policies, and ensures maintenance of appropriate internal controls.
• Significantly influences and contributes towards the achievements of the Colleges strategic and operational objectives by providing analytical support to solve a wide range of complex issues/problems surrounding the college enrollment, cost efficiencies, and financial and business systems.
• Prepares and reviews financial projections of outcome for selected areas, including analysis of budgetary and financial compliance. Provides recommendations and means of resolution for potential financial problems and for improving financial process and procedures.
• Works closely with the Sr. Business Officer and the Dean to set department operating budgets, undergraduate and graduate funding, temporary teaching funds and student and faculty recruiting budgets.
• Performs customized financial analyses and cost feasibility studies to facilitate decision- making and planning as requested by the Dean, Deputy Dean, Associate Deans, Department Chairs, Center Directors and the Sr. Business Officer.
• Serves as College budget and planning authority by providing guidance to Department Business Administrators and Administrative Managers for the interpretation of financial reports and data, College and University policies, and in managing costs and leveraging resources to fulfill strategic goals.
• Develops planning models to analyze financial impact of enrollment changes, new program/department creation, strategic hiring plans, fluctuations in research expenditures, capital projects and other financial scenarios.
• Analyzes space data, faculty productivity metrics, and financial considerations to support efficient space assignment decisions.
• Monitors operations to identify and mitigate financial risks and works to resolve them by developing data driven, actionable plans. Strives to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of existing operations by ensuring that the appropriate policies and procedures are developed, maintained, and disseminated to College faculty and staff