Senior Manager, Decision Support, School of Global Affairs and Public Policy

Reports to: Associate Dean for Administration and Undergraduate Studies

Purpose: The job holder is responsible for leading the decision support function of the school by providing a detailed analysis of the actual performance results and to build strong understanding of the key variances vs budget plan in order to proactively implement ways to improve the operational performance and to provide early warning to deviations reasons as well as producing all monthly managerial presentations and analysis for decision making.

Responsibilities

Monthly Responsibilities

• Develops school monthly and quarterly financial statement showing detailed commentary analysis of the actual results with variance analysis versus budget plan
• Monitor equipment ordering process to ensure timely delivery in respect of operational needs and to avoid the unfavorable financial and budget impact of shifting the equipment from year to another. Also, ensures capital plans are in alignment with the School and University strategic objectives
• Proactively implements ways to improve financial performance and to avoid unfavorable variance by providing early warning to spending deviations
• Reviews all payment transactions before submitting to the controller office: ensures completion of supporting documents, budget availability and adherence to policy and procedures
• Manages the budget transfers and allocation of financial resources according to the operational dynamics and business changes
• Monitors Faculty payment requests (adjunct, summer, and winter) and allocates budget according to the needs of each department

Annual Budget and Monthly Forecast Responsibilities

• Coordinates, consolidates and analyzes budget and strategic plans of the school at the consolidated level
• Provides strategic support and takes a leading role in the School’s budget submission based on the actual historical spending trends as well as preparation of justification report for all new proposed initiatives
• Coordinate with school operations manager for preparing budget hearing presentations justifying the expenses and capital needs and to emphasize the linkage between the requested resources and the university strategic objectives
• Build and maintains a financial model to be used for the monthly rolling forecast, justifying the variance against the budget plan and prior periods
• Prepares detailed analysis for key business drivers that impacts the overall budget
• Provides a summary of key risks and opportunities
• Responsible for providing all financial/budget reports and analysis requested by the provost office, Associate Vice President (AVP) for finance, budget office and controller’s office in a timely manner with high level of efficiency

Performance Management

• Monitors operational performance, conducts the economic assessment to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of existing and proposed academic programs and suggests alternatives to ensure optimal use of resources
• Provides visibility studies and cost-benefit analysis for new projects and initiatives
• Provides detailed analysis of existing resources and capacity planning of existing programs and teaching loads to support the decision making of faculty hiring in a way as to optimize resources and increase efficiencies
• Ensures that projects, department milestones, goals are met and adhering to approved budgets and business planning
• Performs any other related duties as assigned

Requirements:

Minimum Education Requirement

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field

Experience·

• Minimum 10-12 years of experience in the financial and academic area, including 8 years in managerial position at financial and budgetary operations and accounting systems

Skills

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and evolving environment, to be team oriented
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem solving skills
• Attention to details is a must
• Excellent knowledge of Excel and SAP
• Excellent knowledge of Power Point
• Discretion, tact and diplomacy
• Attention to detail and high level of accuracy
• Punctuality and time management
• Excellent knowledge of setting organizational and financial strategies, goals, and targets. Balancing short and long term goals to maximize the effectiveness of the school in achieving its mission and vision
• Strong knowledge of accounting, finance and fund/grants accounting
• High level of financial analysis, reporting and directing
• Significant experience and excellent ability in developing budgets, forecasts and annual/multi-year financial plans
• Strong leadership, decision-making and planning skills
• Uncompromised integrity and confidentiality

This position is open until October 27, 2021

Placement is based on the candidate’s experience and skills. Only candidates who make it to the short list will be contacted.

“We thank all individuals who have expressed interest in working at The American University in Cairo.”