Join Our Team as a Financial Analyst at the Lab of Ornithology at Cornell University!
Are you ready to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of one of the world's most prestigious institutions? If you're eager to make an impact and be part of a dynamic team, then we invite you to explore this exciting opportunity with us!
About The Department
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is the world's leading resource for conservation, research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. The Lab is a vibrant unit within Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), where six world-class, mission-driven centers are directed by full-time faculty and other renowned professionals. Lab staff teach undergraduate courses, advise graduate students, collect and disseminate world-famous digital resources on biodiversity, and engage with partner organizations and citizens around the world to conduct scientific research and conservation actions. Our management and staff are committed to the highest standards of ethics and excellence in all areas of our work, and our Board leadership includes successful entrepreneurs and managers from the business and non-profit sectors, conservation-minded citizens from the United States and beyond, and faculty from Cornell and other universities.
About The Opportunity
While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.
The Financial Analyst will serve as a strong customer service-minded team member who provides high level, confidential financial support to the Lab. As Financial Analyst for multiple Lab programs, you will facilitate and support program initiatives as set by the executive director, center directors and the Lab’s strategic plan. Provide oversight and direction for financial and administrative operations including the following:
Serve as a financial business partner to supported programs, developing deep understanding of programmatic activities, providing the other Financial Analyst and programmatic staff with decision support guidance on every aspect of sound business practices, regulation and policy compliance, funding opportunities, cost reductions, etc.
Oversee all program accounting activities and collaborate to create and monitor annual budgets, including monthly financial reports and account reconciliations;
Develop financial projections and work with finance and program staff to develop and maintain effective funds management strategies based on the mix of resources and projects;
Provide strong financial management and stewardship support, identifying and adopting best practices, streamlining processes, and educating program staff on sound business practices;
Serve as support for program principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders regarding all aspects of grant and contract proposal submissions and management through closeout;
Partner with the Lab’s Director of Administration, Manager of Finance and Contracts, and other members of the finance team to ensure compliance with sponsoring agency guidelines and CU policies;
Act as liaison and foster strong working partnerships with Cornell and CALS central offices, account managers at corporate businesses and granting agencies, Office of Sponsored Programs, and other parties;
Plan, assign, schedule and coordinate workflow related to financial activity and reporting within the programs;
Collaborate with Human Resources staff and program directors to manage effort distribution for program personnel across all funding sources;
Represent the Lab on Cornell and CALS projects/committees as requested.
Position has direct reporting relationship to the Manager of Finance and Contracts.
This is a full-time position at 100% FTE.
This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 2-3 days per week and on-site 2-3 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke, or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.
What We Need
These roles require the ability to work in a dynamic environment with a diverse group of co-workers and collaborators while providing excellent customer service. You will cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Bachelor’s degree in accounting and/or business administration. 3-5 years of financial/accounting experience in academic, research or not-for-profit organizations.
Proficient with computer applications for financial management and reporting (MS Excel, Word, Access); proven ability to prepare accurate and timely financial reports useful to end user for decision making.
Excellent oral/written communications and time management skills essential.
Ability to work in a dynamic environment with a diverse group of co-workers and collaborators while providing excellent customer service.
Must be able to use sound judgment in decision making and in accomplishing tasks that are urgent or of a sensitive or confidential nature, balance conflicting priorities, and make decisions from a range of choices.
Proven ability to find creative solutions when complex issues arise.
Strong working knowledge of budgeting and accounting principles and practices, grant and contract management, partner agreements such as MOUs and MOAs, personnel policies and procedures, conflict management and exposure to contract negotiations.
Demonstrate strong analytical skills.
Attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills are critical.
Must be able to work independently, while collaborating as part of a team.
Able to build strong working relationships to solve problems and achieve common goals.
Ability to advocate for individuals from a broad range of backgrounds.
Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
If you have the above qualification, great! In addition it believe the ideal candidate may also have:
Bachelor’s degree; 7-10 years of financial/accounting management experience.
Experience with Cornell policies and procedures in grant and contract management (Research Administration Certificate Program completion, formal Sponsored Financial Services (SFS) training), procurement, and accounting.
Knowledge and expertise in the use of Cornell’s on-line systems: KFS, OAS queries, ID&R Dashboards, RASS Portal, Workday and external grant submission systems: NSF Fastlane, Grants.gov, Research.gov.
Rewards and Benefits
This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement; the hybrid schedule will be determined at the time of hire. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid or remote work arrangement at any time.
Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: https://hr.cornell.edu/benefits-pay.
Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards.
University Job Title:
Finance Specialist III
Job Family:
Fin/Budget/Planning
Level:
F
Pay Rate Type:
Salary
Pay Range:
$77,831.00 - $90,453.00
Remote Option Availability:
Hybrid
Company:
Contract College
Contact Name:
Hannah Parker Carver
Contact Email:
hp477@cornell.edu
Job Titles and Pay Ranges:
Non-Union Positions
Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:
Prior relevant work or industry experience
Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
Unique applicable skills
Academic Discipline
To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.
Union Positions
The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.
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2026-03-18