Director, Finance

Key Responsibilities

• Manages and develops staff.
• Leads the development and analysis of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial planning cycles including budget, forecast, and long-range strategic plans.
• Manages the timely and accurate preparation of relevant financial statements, activity reports, financial position forecasts, and other reports as required by regulatory agencies.
• Prepares timely value-add financial analysis, key performance indicators and dashboards to drive decision-making with senior leadership, including providing a full view of Polsky Center financials and projections across teams.
• Communicates financial updates and strategic recommendations to senior management in a concise, clear, and timely manner.
• Implements efficient and effective strategic and operational long-range plans by leveraging business-driven inputs, performance metrics and a robust sales and investment pipeline.
• Oversees all financial aspects of internal and external audit engagements by closely partnering with auditors, senior management, executive and operational committees, and other stakeholders at the University.
• Implements, improves, and oversees Polsky Center operational efficiency, strengthens internal controls, and enhances the utilization of ERP systems.
• Ensures timely compliance of federal, state, and local governmental and international requirements.
• Oversees unit-wide compliance and adherence to procurement policies, fund and gift management, program execution and overall revenue generation stewardship.
• Creates business-driven financial analyses, ensuring alignment with business strategies, priorities, and financial requirements.
• Collaborates across Polsky Center teams to ensure the necessary documentation and projection of financial aspects of Polsky programming. This includes patent applications and patent prosecution, license and interinstitutional agreements, and science venture equity and investments; science incubator and accelerator programs; community entrepreneur support; and facilities charges and space use.
• Develops strong partnerships with a broad range of key internal stakeholders, including the Budget Office, Financial Services, and Office of Legal Counsel, and external stakeholders, including partners and collaborators in higher education, industry, and government.
• Assists with unit-wide priorities in-line with changing business priorities, through rigorous resource tracking, reporting and financial forecasting.
• Develops and leads the implementation of change management initiatives, such as shared services outsourcing, and other strategic Center-wide projects which may address internal operations, procurement, or new strategic initiatives being managed through the Chief of Staff’s team.
• Recommends the management of operating and capital budgets, information and accounting systems, revenue billing and collection, and monitors expenditures on active accounts.
• Manages the development, monitoring, and evaluation of a consolidated annual and intermediate (typically three to five year) budget plan and budget process for a unit, as well as actual performance against budget.
• Manages the preparation of financial statements, activity reports, financial position forecasts, and/or reports required by regulatory agencies.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Qualification & Requirements

Education:

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

Work Experience:

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

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Graduate degree in relevant field.

Experience:

• 7+ years of progressive experience leading the end-to-end development of budgets, strategic business plans, revenue/expense forecasts, monthly results analysis, or operational improvements in industry, government or consulting.
• Background in higher education a plus, particularly if coupled with a strong background in industry, government, or consulting.
• Proven record of increased responsibility in financial planning and analysis change and project management, operations transformation and optimization roles.
• 3+ years demonstrated supervisory and team development.
• Prior experience with technology transfer and patent and IP management.
• Proven track record of superior financial and strategic analysis and operational improvement savviness.

Certifications:

• CPA or other relevant certification.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• In-depth knowledge of finance and accounting principles, laws, and best practices.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel coupled with previous experience using financial/accounting systems.

Preferred Competencies

• Influential leader with robust critical thinking, strategic mindset, and take abstract concepts into solutions.
• Outstanding leader who can effectively develop and manage a team to consistently deliver outstanding results to senior management.
• Excellent communicator with superior writing and presentation skills.
• Prioritize tasks, work on multiple assignments.
• Anticipate industry, market, academic and regional change to develop an action plan that will support unit’s success and deliver business demands.
• Thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment and exhibit the highest personal and professional standards of integrity.
• Consistently display initiative, motivation, discipline, and work effectively and autonomously.
• Cultivate finance environment that challenges tradition and inspires innovation.
• Relentlessly pursue financial excellence and optimization.
• Plan, prioritize and oversee multiple projects, and meet deadlines for deliverables.
• Effectively manage and empower team’s high performance.
• Proactive and follow through with attention to detail.

Benefits

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.