Director of 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. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, the Director of Financial Administration oversees financial operations. This includes budgeting, financial planning and reporting, procurement, revenue generation, human resources, and compliance. This role collaborates closely with 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 to provide budget guidance, spending analysis, and revenue projections, utilizing expertise in the institution's financial systems. 

• 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 University's 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. 

Core Competencies: 

• Ability to translate financial data into actionable insights and anticipate trends. 

• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex environments, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality.  

• 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. 

• 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. 

• Experience working with senior university officials within the financial environment. 

• Ability to work independently and manage projects with minimal supervision, while navigating financial systems. 

• Strategic thinking and ability to translate strategic objectives into operational plans, considering the financial landscape. 

• Flexibility and ability to 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. 

• 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.

• 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.

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Work Experience:

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

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Certifications:

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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:  

• Minimum of 7 years of financial analysis experience, with demonstrated expertise in financial systems. 

• Experience in an agency, institution, or corporate setting strongly preferred, with a proven track record of success in the financial environment. 

• Experience with grant administration and budgetary compliance. 

 

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

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, 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.

 

Staff 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.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

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.