Financial Management Analyst III

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Occupational Summary

In the Nicholas School of the Environment (NSOE) plan, develop and coordinate the preparation of complex financial analyses and reports including, but not limited to, operational and capital budgets, financial statements, statistical reports, cost analyses, and other financial information; perform complex and specialized assignments in financial management related area of expertise; perform and lead role in coordinating complex financial projects. This is a full-time position reporting directly to the Associate Dean and Chief Finance Officer.  This position will be located on the Durham campus and can be a hybrid or entirely onsite.

Finance (75%)

• Prepare financial modeling and forecasting functions to provide an understanding of the School activities. Prepare short and long-term financial projections and develop appropriate financial strategies to ensure success and sustainability, including the design of systems to track and analyze individual programs and core productivity to inform decision-making.

• Coordinate budget preparation, administration, and forecast reporting and distribute budget information to business managers.  Ensure budgetary compliance and oversight of financial performance and determine fiscal requirements; coordinate operational and financial reporting. Review and approve budgeted actions, prepare recommendations on unbudgeted actions; and maintain interface with business managers regarding budget and operational plans.

• Manage the preparation of the NSOE budget planning, out-year projections, and spring and fall variance with input from the Associate Dean for Finance and Administration including service centers, professional programs, capital projects, and other non-personnel budgeting. 

• Manage the School’s multiple reporting requirements including collecting, analyzing, and interpreting financial data (e.g. enrollment data, HR data, research data, student data, academic program performance, tuition, and financial aid, etc.). Serve as a resource and expert on financial processes with NSOE Divisions and programs, to advise on financial position, cash flows, accounts, budgets, and other financial matters; and inform partners across campus including the Provost Office.  Develop databases and spreadsheet models to manage these budgets. 

• Analyze revenues and expenditures and provide reliable measurements to forecast trends. Recommend and ensure appropriate bottom line targets are developed and met relative to financial performance through revenue, gifts, other funding streams, and cost containment, including but not limited to, management of current and new gifts, commitments, and sponsored projects.  Monitor variances and recommend and implement corrective action when necessary.

• Responsible for the monthly analysis of the financial activities of the NSOE which includes monthly reporting of variances to budget, overdrafts, expense controls, and trending analysis through working with business managers and providing written reports with recommendations to the Associate Dean for Finance and Administration for adverse trends.

• Manage and track all funding commitments internal to the school, divisions, programs,  and departments/schools across campus.  

• Participate in meetings with business managers and provide training on financial procedures expected within the School.  

• Supervise and coordinate the work of designated employee(s), which typically includes data analytics supporting functions across the School.

Faculty Fiscal Affairs (15%)

• Summer supplement process owner and subject matter expert
  • Oversee the tracking of faculty individual salary allocation to ensure proper recording of actual-to-budget effort.
  • Be responsive to faculty reporting requirements and summer supplement standard operating procedures.
  • Independently complete financial analysis for faculty incentives.
  • Lead and coordinate efforts to streamline tools to ensure a high level of accuracy in the process of supplemental payments for eligible faculty prior to execution. 

• Provide strategic management in the coordination of effort for projects, grants, and other support.

• Support the endowed professorship process including supporting effort management and funding allocation as appropriate and regularly review endowment expendable funds to minimize impact on school operating budgets.

Research Administration Oversight (10%)

• Review and approve all Nicholas grant proposals in SPS for compliance with Duke and Federal policies as well as cost sharing and potential Nicholas impacts.

• Collaborate with CGMT managers in tracking IDC by faculty and project. Conduct adhoc analysis and reports to inform leadership decisions.

• Evaluate business proposals, contracts, and special projects to determine financial implications and feasibility. 

• Evaluate and manage all cost-share commitments to ensure accountability and compliance.

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training

Work requires a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration or a related field. CPA is desirable.

Experience

Work requires a minimum of six years experience in financial management, cost accounting or a field directly related to specialized area of assignment.or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

In addition, the successful candidate will possess the following qualities/attributes:

Also preferred is proficiency with Microsoft Excel, database management and familiarity with Duke University systems

Skills

Advanced in gathering, analyzing, preparing, and interpreting complex data to inform decisions.

Advanced organizational skills

Advanced Excel and MS Access

Advanced skills in synthesizing non-financial and financial data

Advanced data management

Effective communication skills and writing ab

Minimum Qualifications

Work requires a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration or a related field. CPA is desirable.

Work requires a minimum of six years experience in financial OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE management, cost accounting or a field directly related to specialized area of assignment.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.