Financial Analyst, Financial Planning and Analysis and Debt Capital Markets

Department
 

F&A FIN - Financial Services

About the Department
 

Finance and Administration represents a committed group of people who serve the University in a variety of areas including financial services, information technology services, risk management, internal audit, compliance, human resources, and shared services. The goal of our division is to provide the services and support needed to foster an environment of academic and research excellence at the University of Chicago. Our team is dedicated to collaborative partnerships with our colleagues and customers that lay the foundation for an exemplary service delivery process. Finance and Administration is fully aligned with the strategic and academic priorities of the University, and each of the units within our division is tasked with implementing the processes necessary to achieve lasting excellence.

Job Summary
 

The University of Chicago is looking for a Financial Analyst who will serve as a member of the finance team and will assist University-wide decision support through financial analyses, debt management, and debt compliance. The position will be engaged with internal constituents across the University, as well as external constituents including auditors, investment banks and rating agencies. The position will provide critical support for the University’s finance leadership and impact short-term and long-term strategic decisions.
In partnership with the Director of Financial Planning & Analysis and Debt Capital Markets, the Financial Analyst will support the management of a $4.3 billion debt portfolio (as of FY22), a taxable commercial paper program, and use of operating lines of credit and debt liquidity facilities. The Financial Analyst will ensure fulfillment of compliance obligations and assist with crafting University debt, liquidity and working capital policies.
The ideal candidate will have experience in higher education finance working with finance, accounting and or legal teams, proficiently use financial models to guide strategic decision making, be adept at managing data, and efficiently partnering with multiple units across an organization to complete high priority assignments. Degrees or experience in a quantitative or finance-related field are preferred.
This Financial Analyst position will participate in an Analyst Program and Decision Support Committee. Both of these, but not limited to, will facilitate the professional development of this position. It will be an exciting opportunity for this position to also network with other finance professionals at UChicago as these two programs will be pilot programs that will be implemented more widely throughout the University.

Responsibilities

• Partners with the Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) and Debt Capital Markets in producing various long-term forecasting models and analysis needed for the highest level of decision support for the Consolidated University. As of FY22, the Consolidated University operating revenue was $5.7 billion and net assets was $11.2 billion.
• Engages various stakeholders throughout the University, Medical Center and Marine Biology Laboratory to analyze data and scenario plan for the downside and upside impact of initiatives and external factors like inflation, rising interest rate environment, labor force pressures, global crisis, and a federal government shutdown to name a few.
• As new opportunities and challenges are presented to the University leaders, this position will be expected to be a key member of the FP&A team who conducts analyses and makes recommendations that support decisions beneficial to the University. These recommendations will often be presented to the Board of Trustees for information sharing and/or formal approvals.
• Plays a key role in the University’s finance team in the execution of bond transactions.
• Over time this position will be expected to independently oversee and conduct various logistics and deliverables for rating agencies including quarterly liquidity reports, annual questionnaires, and presentations for each debt transaction.
• Ensures timely payment of debt service, swap payments, and fees, and maintain account balances.
• Records accounting entries on a monthly, quarterly, and as needed basis including interest, investment earnings, moneys received, and swap fair values.
• Supports the University’s overall debt management and debt-related efforts including financial analyses of the University’s existing debt and interest rate derivative portfolio and potential debt instruments.
• Partners with Director to lead the University’s debt compliance program including continuing disclosure obligations (such as Appendix A and EMMA postings), private business use (such as administration of the annual questionnaire and review of schedule K), annual officer’s certificates, and other requirements.
• Maintains or skillfully uses external databases including DAC, Archibus, AURA, Oracle, and Kyriba.
• Partners with Director to complete audit responsibilities related to the University’s debt and works with the auditor to resolve any inquiries.
• Assists Director in preparing materials for Board meetings, including Financial Planning Committee.
• Identifies and addresses areas for process improvement within finance and treasury operations, including the enterprise resource planning (Financial System Transformation) and the treasury management system.
• Delivers ad-hoc reporting and analysis as needed to support the finance and treasury.
• Works independently to maintain and support the planning and execution of financial strategy.
• Reviews estimated expenditures. Develops expenditure projections and periodic budget variance reports. Prepares forecasts as well as analyses.
• 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:

• Undergraduate or master’s degree in a STEM, business, accounting or economics field.

Experience:

• Higher education finance, corporate or municipal finance, treasury management, and/or accounting.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Fluency in using Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Strong quantitative skills and demonstrated understanding of banking and tax-exempt and taxable debt concepts.
• Familiarity with GAAP financial statements.

Preferred Competencies

• Team-oriented professional who embraces and advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion as good business practice.
• Interact quickly, thoughtfully, and impactfully with internal/external partners.
• Skilled at managing multiple projects and competing priorities to meet deadlines.
• Curiosity-driven and continuously interested in professional growth.
• Strong writing and presentation skills and deliver complex information in a concise and effective manner that adds to decision support at the highest level.
• Proven attention to detail and desire to continuously learn and improve.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)
   

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
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected 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.