Director, Finance, Budget and Procurement

Department

UCPE Administration & Operations

About the Department

Innovative, career-driven learning experiences define University of Chicago Professional. In our commitment to spread the University's knowledge as broadly as possible, we offer impactful and flexible programs and courses that introduce individual and corporate audiences to up-to-the-minute research, the latest standards in their field, a new professional network, and the University of Chicago's rich intellectual community. Our instructors, seasoned professionals all, deliver unparalleled expertise drawn from years of industry experience. We give our students the tools to succeed in our fast-moving, interconnected world and achieve a competitive edge at any stage of their careers.

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Administration and Operations, the Director of Finance, Budget and Procurement will lead and manage the operating budget, financial planning and analysis, and procurement for UChicago Professional, its revenue- and non-revenue generating departments, and other University-wide programs the unit supports. This role requires hands-on ownership of the unit’s full financial operation, balancing day-to-day financial processing with higher-level strategic budgeting and analysis. The Director serves as a subject-matter expert to UChicago Professional and its supporting units, and as the primary liaison to the University Budget Office, Procurement and Payment Services, and the Financial Services unit employees.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a source of staff support for the programs and sub-units, performs complex evaluations, and resolves difficult problems in these areas.
• Provides financial input based on the development of data collection, metrics, reports, and other analytical applications.
• Understands available data sources and uses that information for creating clear and concise presentations to leadership.
• Supports initiatives to optimize resource utilization to achieve unit strategic objectives and manage all aspects of the unit’s financial operations, including accounting, financial analysis and reporting, budgeting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, procurement, and financial controls.
• Creates financial management models for establishing financial analytics and forecasts. Responsible for regular, internal financial reporting to unit and University leadership.
• Develops financial projections, including long-range planning models and corresponding methods for tracking critical operating metrics.
• Operates with an entrepreneurial mindset, building, refining, and iterating financial models, processes, and reporting structures as the unit’s portfolio evolves.
• Organizes and oversees budgeting systems and procedures for researching, compiling, monitoring, and analyzing the unit’s monthly budget-to-actual status.
• In collaboration with unit leadership, sets budgetary priorities.
• Supports the development of fiscal policies, financial plans, procedures, and controls for the unit.
• Reviews, evaluates, and advises the unit on multi-year program financial plans, program objectives, level of program activities, resource requirements, and program effectiveness.
• Recommends strategies proactively to address issues or problems with financial results and ensure balanced operations; provide financial reports with supporting data and analyses of specific issues.
• Identifies and explains variances and suggests revenue enhancements and cost containment measures. Employs methodology for ongoing reporting, analysis, and updates of budget variances.
• Provides financial input based on the development of data collection, metrics, reports, and other analytical applications.
• Conducts quantitative and qualitative analyses to monitor and manage for expense optimization by identifying market drivers, enhancing strategies, or improving revenue generation.
• Helps develop budget models for new programs and provides recommendations to unit leadership.
• Manages and interprets reports and data to recommend revenue, budget, or similar unit financial strategies.
• Works with unit leadership to recommend long- and short-term plans to achieve financial goals, business strategies/objectives, and financial forecasts/models for the unit and all degree and non-degree programs, as well as unit initiatives.
• Analyzes and models academic program financial data, including historical vs. current enrollment data, program costs, and other academic program variables, to determine program break-even benchmarks and profitability goals.
• Manages annual budgeting and planning process on behalf of unit leadership; administers and reviews all financial plans and budgets; monitors progress and changes; and keeps unit leadership team abreast of financial performance and position.
• Serves as subject matter expert in interpreting and applying University budgeting policies and procedures in the unit’s budgetary formulation, analysis, review, and control processes; and in identifying current and future resource-planning and allocation issues.
• Based on a comprehensive understanding of the unit’s current and forecasted position, reviews and partners with leadership to finalize proposed budgets, ensuring compliance with established budget parameters.
• Reviews, analyzes, recommends, and implements processes and procedures to improve the annual budget process.
• Ensures the development and administration of the annual budget and financial performance from systems and procedural/process standpoints.
• Oversees monitoring of all procurement activities, including vendor contracts and approval of purchasing and expenditure activities.
• Ensures the successful management of contract administration, resolution of post-award issues, execution of amendments, monitoring of supplier performance, and receipt or deployment of contract deliverables.
• Manages the employee credit card program, out-of-pocket expense reimbursements, electronic check payments, purchase requisitions, and invoicing.
• Supports the onboarding of all new staff, including training on financial policies and procedures.
• Facilitates and maintains a close working relationship with central accounting, budget, and procurement departments to ensure up-to-date communications and updates on University financial processes, procedures, and services, and determines the most effective means of providing these services to UChicago Professional.
• Maintains a financial operations manual for staff with relevant University policies and procedures; communicates relevant updates or changes; delivers unit or department-wide training on pertinent fiscal materials as necessary.
• Spearheads training to divisional academic and administrative employees on the University’s implementation of a new accounting system.
• Works independently to maintain and support the planning and execution of financial strategy.
• Acts as a resource for team members, solves complex problems. Explains complex and sensitive information.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• MBA or advanced degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public policy, not-for-profit administration, or a related field.

Experience:

• Progressively responsible work experience in financial management, financial services, accounting, academic budgetary roles, or related disciplines.
• Mid- to senior-level skills in financial and data analysis, modeling, forecasting, and formulating long-term strategic plans.
• Background in a university setting or other not-for-profit enterprise.

Certifications:

• CPA certification is a plus.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Knowledge of financial computing and database software applications.
• Knowledge of various financial principles, practices, and applications, including budgeting, financial planning, and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of GAAP accounting principles and restricted fund accounting.
• Familiarity with the University of Chicago's financial systems and structure is a plus.
• Skilled at analysis, spreadsheet modeling, and forecasting.
• Design, implement, and sustain a workable budget model.
• Familiar with accounting and budget systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Competencies

• Work closely with senior University officials and be discreet and trustworthy with financial records and conversations.
• Demonstrated comfort owning an end-to-end finance function in a lean or growing organization, with willingness to handle both transactional work and strategic analysis.
• Excellent leadership, influence, and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment with non-negotiable deadlines and comfortable operating independently and within a certain level of ambiguity.
• Manage interpersonal relationships, develop positive working relationships, and communicate clearly and tactfully.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including presentations and careful editing.
• Handle sensitive and confidential situations and information with absolute discretion.
• Excellent time management skills, including adaptively multitask, prioritize, and work on schedule and within deadlines.
• Develop project plans, timelines, deliverables, and measures across projects and gather inputs from across the organization.

Working Conditions

• Produce work outside of standard business hours, on occasional evenings and weekends.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)
• References Contact Information (3) (preferred)

Job Family

Financial Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$105,000.00 - $120,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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