Director, Financial Administration

Department

Civic Engagement Office of the Vice President for Civic Engagement

About the Department

At the University of Chicago, civic engagement is an institution-wide commitment that encompasses our contributions to the enrichment of human life through research and education, our work to increase economic opportunities on the South Side, and our support for the open exchange of ideas with our broader community. Our relationship and engagement with the City of Chicago was of critical importance at the time of our founding and continues to guide the University's contributions to the city and the South Side today. The University approaches civic engagement in a comprehensive and deliberate way: we approach civic engagement as a University-wide commitment that furthers our core mission of research and education and reflects our core values; we build meaningful, mutually-beneficial partnerships that increase civic participation, expand educational access, and create economic and social opportunity; we apply an interdisciplinary approach that brings our best thinking across multiple domains to advance innovative initiatives that enrich human life in our city; we solve real world problems with rigor by supporting our faculty, students, staff, and alumni to engage with the community and the world around them as they address the most pressing urban challenges and build evidence-based solutions; and we measure and communicate our impact, sharing what we are doing and learning as we partner with others to contribute to the public good.

Job Summary

The Office of Civic Engagement (OCE) is seeking a talented and experienced Director of Financial Administration to provide strategic financial leadership and analysis to support the programs and initiatives of the department, as well as its sub-units, the Office of Federal Relations and the Commercial Real Estate Operations Office. Reporting to the Associate Vice President and Chief of Staff, the Director of Financial Administration oversees all department wide financial operations. This includes budgeting, financial planning and reporting, procurement, revenue generation, human resources, and compliance. This role collaborates closely with OCE senior leadership and operational teams to ensure effective financial management and decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Prepares financial statements, activity reports, and forecasts, providing direction on budgeting and accounting responsibilities, with a focus on optimizing use of the financial platforms.
• Leads the development and coordination of financial planning and reporting, including the creation of financial models to support decision-making within the department's leadership.
• Collaborates with OCE leadership and budget managers to provide budget guidance, spending analysis, and revenue projections, utilizing expertise in the institution's financial systems.
• Provides financial input based on the development of data collection, metrics, reports and other analytical applications.
• Establishes and implements guidelines and procedures for departmental reporting to ensure compliance and streamline processes within the university's financial systems.
• Stays updated on University procedures, system updates, and compliance requirements, particularly within the financial systems landscape.
• Works in collaboration with the University's Research Administration team to administer, track, and manage OCE's grants and contractual obligations.
• Reviews accounts to identify inconsistencies and recommend strategies to address financial issues, leveraging an understanding of both legacy and new financial systems.
• Represents the Department's financial interests in interactions with internal and external stakeholders, including the Budget Office and Financial Services Office, while utilizing knowledge of the organization's financial systems.
• Partners with the central HR Business Partner for OCE as it relates to talent management and compliance with the University's job architecture.
• Serves as an experienced liaison interacting with financial administrators within operational units on financial, budget or accounting matters to prepare, advise and recommend.
• Conducts quantitative and qualitative analyses to monitor and manage for expense optimization by identifying market drivers, enhance strategies, or improve revenue generation.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

• --

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, accounting, statistics, economics, or a related field.
• MBA or advanced degree in finance, public policy, non-profit administration, or a related field strongly preferred.

Experience:

• 7 years of financial analysis experience, with demonstrated expertise in financial systems.
• Background in an agency, institution, or corporate setting strongly preferred, with a proven track record of success in the financial environment.
• Familiarity with grant administration and budgetary compliance.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills, financial computing, and database software applications, with an emphasis on their integration with financial platforms.
• Proficiency in financial principles, practices, and applications, including budgeting, planning, and reporting within the organization's financial ecosystem.
• Strong financial modeling skills within financial platforms.

Preferred Competencies

• Translate financial data into actionable insights and anticipate trends.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex environments, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality.
• Background working with senior university officials within the financial environment.
• Work independently and manage projects with minimal supervision, while navigating financial systems.
• Strategic thinking and translate strategic objectives into operational plans, considering the financial landscape.
• Work effectively under pressure, adapting to changes within financial systems.
• Passion for civic engagement and a commitment to the mission and values of the University of Chicago.
• Excellent analytical and organizational abilities, with a focus on maximizing efficiency within financial systems.
• Effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, essential for collaboration within the financial community.
• Collaborative work style with strong consultative skills, facilitating effective engagement with financial stakeholders.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)
• References Contact Information (3) (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Financial Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$110,500.00 - $143,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.