Associate Director, Finance and Operations

Department
 

Consortium Research Stevens

About the Department
 

The Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice (Crown Family School) builds upon a legacy of more than a century of scholarship, education and leadership in social work and social welfare, blending a distinctive interdisciplinary tradition with applied problem-solving to foster innovative solutions to some of society’s most pressing social problems. For more information about the Crown School, please visit our website at: https://crownschool.uchicago.edu/.
The University of Chicago Crown Family School is the academic home to the Urban Education Institute (UEI), an internationally and nationally renowned institute with the aim of promoting applied research on youth development and learning in formal and informal settings. UEI conducts rigorous applied research, trains researchers and practitioners, and provides research-based tools and resources in schools across the country.

Job Summary
 

The Associate Director of Finance and Operations provides accounting support to the executive teams of the Consortium on School Research (CSR) and the To&Through Project. This role will be responsible for providing global analysis of budget-to-actual for CSR and To&Through and accounting support, including ledger review, account administration, corrections, and fiscal closings. This role will also provide complete grant, program, or activity-based reporting and coordinate pre- and post-award grant and contract proposals/funding activities, including developing budgets, ensuring payments are received, and expenses are allocated to the correct account.
The To&Through Project strives to create equitable education outcomes for Chicago Public Schools students by helping educators use data for inquiry and impact . We analyze and share quantitative and qualitative data on the educational journeys of Chicago Public Schools students. The To&Through project works alongside education stakeholders from across the system to make meaning of research-backed data in ways that support and shift practice. We help realize equitable learning experiences, pathways, and outcomes for CPS students from the middle grades through college graduation.
For over 30 years, the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research (UChicago Consortium) has informed solutions to the most difficult problems facing urban schools. The UChicago Consortium is committed to better understanding the fundamental practices and conditions that advance student learning, promote attainment, and foster more equitable outcomes. We work in a highly collaborative environment that produces research of high technical quality to inform policy and practice in the Chicago Public Schools, as well as schools nationwide. A central component of our work is engaging with a diverse set of stakeholders and stimulating evidence-driven discourse about the vital issues facing schools. The UChicago Consortium has been described as the gold standard for education research-practice partnerships and has been replicated nationally. Our research has been an essential factor in improving outcomes for students and school staff, both in Chicago and in school districts across the country.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and analyzes monthly reports for Principal Investigators (PIs), University, and funder financial reporting, prepares grant budgets, quarterly and annual financial statements for the Consortium and To&Through Executive Teams, and other financial reporting and analysis as needed.
• Ensures adherence to University and funder financial reporting requirements.
• Maintains and updates staffing allocations and project budgets throughout the year.
• Meets regularly with the executive teams and PIs to discuss budgets.
• Coordinates with UEI, Crown and University finance, grant, HR, and IT staff.
• Implements and maintains robust administrative processes and policies to support efficient operations.
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date records of budgets and financial policies and procedures.
• Has a deep understanding of operational budgets for departments or other operational units.
• Provides analytical support for moderately complex budget projects. Analyzes budget estimates and proposals for completeness; accuracy; and conformance with established procedures, regulations, and organizational objectives.
• 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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in accounting.
• Master's degree in business administration.

Experience:

• Automated accounting systems experience. 
• Public or university accounting experience. 
• Financial system transformation experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.​

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Knowledge of Oracle.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong technical and analytical accounting skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized with the ability to set priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Possession of strong analytical abilities, problem-solving skills, and professional judgment to identify misclassifications and other posting issues based on historical trends and expectations.
• Work under tight deadlines and meet or exceed deadlines.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with absolute discretion.
• Clear and effective communication skills, including excellent writing skills.
• Work effectively with a diverse group of constituencies.
• Provide responsive and timely customer services.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (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
 

40

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.