Job Summary Table of Finance Director Position

📊 Finance Director Position Overview

The Associate Director of Finance will play a critical leadership role within the University of Chicago’s Physical Sciences Division (PSD), reporting directly to the Assistant Dean for Budgeting and Financial Planning. This position requires a proactive approach to financial management, developing advanced financial models, supporting long-range planning, and providing data-driven recommendations aligned with the Division’s strategic objectives.

As a key member of the financial leadership team, you will oversee a team of professional staff responsible for the financial management of the Division’s budget while collaborating closely with senior management to deliver high-quality reporting and ensuring internal financial controls and compliance support the university’s mission and strategic priorities.

📈 Financial Leadership Responsibilities

• Team Management: Lead and develop a team of professional staff responsible for financial management of the Division’s budget
• Departmental Budget Support: Provide expert guidance to departments and centers during budget preparation processes
• Division Budget Management: Compile and transfer financial data into budget spreadsheets distributed throughout the Division
• Analysis Leadership: Lead the analysis of budget estimates and proposals for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with established procedures
• Financial Planning Cycles: Direct the development and analysis of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial planning cycles including budgets, forecasts, and long-range strategic plans
• Strategic Communication: Communicate financial updates and strategic recommendations to senior management clearly and timely
• Budget Monitoring: Review reports and accounting records to ensure allocated funds are spent appropriately
• Strategic Financial Advisory: Serve as a financial strategist and trusted advisor, recommending improvements to financial strategy
• Budget Administration Guidance: Guide budget administrators to ensure integrity of financial analysis and planning
• Financial Research: Conduct advanced financial research to improve decision-making for critical initiatives
• Critical Analysis: Identify areas requiring attention and develop approaches to improve strategic and analytical thinking
• Collaborative Reporting: Work with stakeholders to develop focused, effective reporting design and metrics
• Dashboard Implementation: Design and implement visual analytics dashboards for real-time financial tracking
• Complex Data Analysis: Analyze data across areas like enrollment, faculty, and admissions to support senior leadership
• Resource Planning: Manage resource allocation, providing actionable recommendations to senior leadership
• Budget Process Management: Develop, monitor, and evaluate consolidated annual and intermediate budget plans
• Financial Statement Preparation: Manage the preparation of financial statements, activity reports, and regulatory filings

🌟 Qualifications for Finance Leadership

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required
• MBA or other advanced degree preferred
• Educational background with focus in business or related technical field highly valued

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline
• Supervisory experience preferred
• Accounting, finance, or equivalent experience necessary
• Background in budget preparation and data integrity verification
• Experience in a university setting or complex non-profit organization preferred

🔧 Technical Skills for Financial Excellence

• Proficiency with record management systems
• Familiarity with Oracle ERP systems
• Experience with Orbit reporting systems
• Knowledge of the University of Chicago culture beneficial
• Understanding of gifts, endowments, payroll, and student systems
• Strong financial modeling capabilities
• Knowledge of database development and structure maintenance
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel (sorting, v-lookup, parsing, and pivot data)
• Comprehensive knowledge of financial analysis methodologies

🤝 Professional Competencies

• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to explain financial concepts to non-financial individuals
• Strategic thinking with capability to develop and evaluate options
• Skill in translating findings into operational objectives
• Capacity to establish relationships at all organizational levels
• Effectiveness working with senior University leadership
• Intellectual versatility and creativity
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities
• Detail orientation with excellent coordination skills
• Team collaboration with ability to interact with diverse workforce
• Superior time management and multitasking capabilities
• Performance under time pressure on high-visibility projects
• Flexibility and adaptability regarding workflow changes

💻 Working Conditions for Financial Professionals

• Hybrid work schedule with four days on-campus and one day remote
• Flexibility to work non-traditional hours when necessary
• 37.5 scheduled weekly hours
• FLSA Status: Exempt

🏢 About the Physical Sciences Division

The Physical Sciences Division (PSD) at the University of Chicago has a rich history of advancing and defining new fields of discovery in the physical and mathematical sciences. This tradition of innovation continues today with inquiry spanning from the edge of the observable universe to human-computer interaction, from biophysical materials science to the geologic record of seawater composition, from gravitational waves to geometric flows, and beyond.

The division encompasses academic departments including: – Astronomy and Astrophysics – Chemistry – Computer Science – Geophysical Sciences – Mathematics – Physics – Statistics

PSD also includes interdisciplinary research institutes and centers such as the Data Science Institute, Enrico Fermi Institute, James Franck Institute, and Kavli Center for Cosmological Physics. Many scientists hold joint appointments at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory, as well as affiliations with other Chicago-based research institutions like the Toyota Technological Institute of Chicago and the Field Museum.

📋 Application Process

When applying, the following documents MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page in the Application Documents section:

1. Resume/CV (required)
2. Cover Letter (required)
3. References Contact Information (3 required)

🌈 Benefits and Equal Opportunity

Benefits Package

The University of Chicago offers a comprehensive range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including: – Health insurance – Retirement benefits – Paid time off – Additional resources detailed in the Benefits Guidebook

Equal Opportunity 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.

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

Background Check Information

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.

University Security Report

The University of Chicago’s Annual Security & Fire Safety 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.

🚀 Career Growth Opportunities

Working at the University of Chicago’s Physical Sciences Division offers exceptional career advancement potential. As a world-renowned research institution, the university provides: – Exposure to cutting-edge scientific research – Opportunities to collaborate with world-leading scientists – Professional development resources – Potential for advancement within university financial management

📱 Connect With University of Chicago

For additional information about this position and other career opportunities at the University of Chicago, visit their career portal.

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