Career Center

Department: Division Operations & Services
Salary/Grade: EXS/11

About Student Affairs: Student Affairs at Northwestern University envisions building a just, health, and meaningful student learning experiences by pursuing equity, justice, and belonging. This work happens with all of us as people holding multiple identities. Through the frame of collective impact, we strive to center the voices, experiences, and needs of our most marginalized communities. This calls for both individual and collective responsibility and work that supports universally designed solutions that benefit not just individuals, but the full community. Learn more about the Division of Student Affairs here: https://www.northwestern.edu/studentaffairs/about/strategic-plan/strategic-themes.html

Job Summary:

The Director of Financial Administration is a member of the Operations & Services department. The role is instrumental in guiding the financial direction of the division by providing leadership with forecasting & analysis activities and overseeing those responsible for financial operations. The Director of Financial Administration manages a team of two and provides regular guidance to all division staff with financial responsibilities. Some of the primary responsibilities for the role include monthly and quarterly forecasting, developing annual budget plans, and managing relationships across the division and university. 

Pay: The pay range for the Director of Financial Administration position is $102,000 to $112,000 depending on experience, skills, and internal equity.

Workplace Flexibility: This position is eligible to work remotely up to 2 days per week.

Principal Accountabilities:

Transactions 30%

• Ensures compliance of financial processes and systems including the implementation and monitoring of financial controls and training of managers with financial responsibilities in accordance with all associated NU, local, state and federal rules and regulations.
• Manages completion of annual fiscal year-end close.
• Coordinates with Budget Office and other schools/depts for proper recording of cross school/dept transactions.
• Prepares consolidated financial statement to report final net position; and partners with Budget Office to provide variances from expected performance.
• Oversees processing of all daily financial transactional activity.
• Reviews status of related university unit accounts and processes; troubleshoots issues as needed.

Analysis, Statements, Reporting 25%

• Measures individual net performance of all areas/units as well as consolidated area/unit income statement and balance sheet with the use of pre-defined analytical financial tools.
• Recommends changes to tools to improve analysis, forecasting, modeling and reporting and ultimately quality of financial information and analyses provided to management for planning, evaluating and controlling operations.
• Establishes proper accounting and audit trails for revenue and expenses related to programs and initiatives.
• Oversees monthly reconciliation and reports on current financial performance, impact on year-end forecast and opportunities and risks.
• Prepares area or program financial statements and regulatory reports.
• Acts as the key contact for external auditors; prepares financial statement and audit work papers.
• Prepares sections of the university's annual financial report.
• Performs complex financial account reconciliations, statement analysis, and transaction research
• Establishes and communicates the University calendar for daily, monthly, quarterly and annual accounting and financial processes for the areas or programs.

Budget 20%

• Plans and manages complex budget(s) which fund strategic mission including financial sustainability and enhancement models. Budget structure may require “stand-alone” financial health to not only ensure that school/dept can financially support its strategic plan but also requires providing financial and strategic support to strengthen and enhance the University’s reputation.
• Plans and implements annual budget process including fiscal resource allocation of appropriated, discretionary, endowment and/or gift revenues.
• Develops and recommends budget parameters to senior staff for all units based upon those provided by the Budget Office as well as more restrictive parameters that may be required per a comprehensive understanding of school/dept’s financial position and forecasting model.
• Reviews and partners with senior staff from all areas/units to finalize proposed budgets ensuring compliance with established budget parameters as well as a consolidated school/dept balanced budget.
• Oversees routine budget reconciliation and analyzes budget position.
• Approves funds reallocation within budget as necessary and appropriate.   

Supervision 10%

• Supervises, trains, hires, employees
• Evaluates employees’ performance
• Provides work direction to other employees

Administration 5%

• Identifies current and future resource planning and allocation issues and develops, leads, and supervises complex studies and analyses that will assist senior staff in reaching resource planning and allocation decisions.
• Processes and presents associated data and information through the application of sophisticated database, graphic and spreadsheet tools.
• Negotiates with vendors for purchases and leases
• Acts as project manager for design and implementation of regulatory and system changes.
• Manages operation of a computer system or system processes that support the area or program.
• Ensures that service level goals are met

Training 5%

• Provides training and support to related university units or program participants
• Develops and maintains website content and training materials

Other duties as assigned 5%

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as accounting, business administration, finance, or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.  
• 8 years financial, budgeting and/or preparing account reconciliations or financial statements along with financial analysis or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies

• Excellent computer skills including proficiency in the use of spreadsheet, database and word processing software.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting.
• Familiarity with FASB requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in business or accounting

Preferred Competencies

• Familiarity with Cognos reporting, Microsoft Power BI, or similar programs

Benefits: At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness: Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth and Development: Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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About Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a major private research university with 12 academic divisions located on three campuses in Evanston, Chicago, and Education City in Doha, Qatar. We have approximately 2,500 full-time faculty members, 17,000 graduate and undergraduate students, and over 5,700 full and part-time staff. Northwestern University combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment. It provides students and faculty exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth.

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