Director of Financial Planning and Data Analysis
University of Chicago
Department
Crown Administrative Office
About the Department
More than 10,000 Crown Family School graduates in the US and globally hold leadership positions in academia, at nonprofits, in business, and at governmental agencies The Crown Family School is the home of several academic centers. These include the Susan and Richard Kiphart Center for Global Health and Social Development, the Kersten Institute for Urban Education, the Center for Climate, Health and Society, the Smart Decarceration Project, and the Employment Instability, Family Well-being, and Social Policy Network (EINet). More information may be found at https://crownschool.uchicago.edu/.
Job Summary
Responsibilities
- Supports the Sr. Associate Dean in developing and executing long-term strategic financial plans. Provides financial and administrative insights to support decision-making and ensure alignment between financial resources and strategic priorities.
- Participates in the annual and multi-year budgeting processes, collaborating with academic and administrative units to align financial resources with institutional priorities.
- Oversee all procurement activities, ensuring alignment with University policies and strategic sourcing initiatives to maximize value and mitigate risk.
- Provides support and expertise in budget planning, financial forecasting, resource allocation, and financial analysis. Monitors financial performance, identifies areas for improvement, and recommends strategies for cost optimization and revenue generation.
- Collaborates with the Director of Finance, ensuring that recharge revenues, operating spending, University financial transfers, gifts and endowments are appropriately projected and allocated.
- Collaborates with the Director of Grants & Contracts and the team of professionals that support sponsored awards and purchasing.
- Ensures compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and University policies. Develops and maintains effective internal controls and risk management practices to safeguard assets, mitigate risks, and maintain the integrity of financial and administrative operations.
- Develops advanced reporting and dashboards to support timely decision making.
- Develops reporting and analytic solutions with appropriate data governance and secure access.
- Advises on all financial activities, including financial analysis and reporting, budgeting, accounting, accounts receivable/payable, and procurement.
- Leverages expertise for Oracle, Orbit and the FST resources to ensure the division optimizes the implementation, to ensure broad adaptation and training.
- Collaborates with faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders to understand their needs and priorities. Fosters strong working relationships and effective communication channels to address concerns, provide guidance, and ensure a positive and supportive environment.
- Provides financial input based on the development of data collection, metrics, reports and other analytical applications.
- Analyze, organize and communicate business information to ensure deliverables are meeting or exceeding expectations.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Experience:
- Moderate to advanced Excel proficiency and comfort in manipulating/analyzing large datasets and proficiency in systems and processes.
- Strong financial modeling skills.
- Analyze, interpret and implement University policy and procedures and sponsor guidelines and regulations to ensure accurate response.
- Knowledge and familiarity with the financial transformation system (Oracle and Orbit).
Preferred Competencies
- Strong attention to detail, highly organized, timely, and responsive.
- Work successfully with staff, faculty, and other senior officials (University and external).
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Manage projects simultaneously, and work under considerable pressure to meet deadlines.
- Handle confidential information with absolute discretion.
- Take initiative and organize/complete projects with minimal supervision.
- Ability to research issues and propose solutions to problems.
- Ability to effectively work on multiple projects simultaneously and to meet deadlines.
- Ability to understand details contained within grant contractual language.
- Ability to communicate financial information clearly and concisely.
- Analytical and problem solving skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
Working Conditions
- Hybrid work schedule, on-site at the Hyde Park campus in Chicago 2-3 days/week
Application Documents
- Resume (required)
- Cover Letter (required)
- References (when asked)
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Role Impact
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Pay Rate Type
FLSA Status
Pay Range
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
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.
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