Department
PME Administration & Operations
About the Department
The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) was established in May 2019 and evolved from the Institute for Molecular Engineering, founded in 2011. The PME integrates science and engineering to address global challenges from the molecular level up. The PME’s rigorous academic and research programs are made possible through the University of Chicago’s unique partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering is the first new school at the University of Chicago in three decades and the first school in the nation dedicated to molecular engineering. In the next phase of growth as a School, the PME will continue to expand its team of world-class faculty researchers and empower students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with faculty in cutting-edge facilities. The PME aims to bring solutions for urgent societal problems to the forefront, while training the next generation of scientific leaders and entrepreneurs.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Senior Financial Administrator provides comprehensive financial management for PME units and recharge core facilities financial activity, including discretionary funding sources; financial reporting; grants, contracts, subcontracts, gifts, and endowments. Additionally, the Senior Financial Administrator will contribute to the formulation of long- and short-term financial goals, business strategies, and financial forecasts. Priorities of the role will include project management, portfolio management, data integrity and reporting, completing financial transactions, development and monitoring of financial reports, along with participation in budgeting and forecasting.
This role coordinates projects in monitoring the operating and capital budgets for divisions and/or University-wide administrative units. At the instruction of others, performs work that contributes to development of long and short term financial goals, business strategies/plans, and financial forecasts/models for major service programs and initiatives. Utilizes moderate knowledge of finance to help coordinate quarterly and year-end reporting for the operating budget.
Responsibilities
- Researches, processes, and identifies payments and collections for PME recharge core facilities for interdepartmental and external clients. Responsible for recharge templates and submission for fiscal year annual review.
- Leads monthly meetings with core facilities and unit Directors, reporting on actual results versus budget, prior year, and trend analysis.
- Monitors and reconciles actual expenditures and revenue against budget and prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual variance reports.
- Completes quarterly financial analysis and monthly forecasts/projections. Develops unique metrics for cores and other unit Directors.
- Builds and maintains complex financial models using Excel and other analysis and reporting tools and systems as necessary.
- Ensures invoice billing is up to date and submitted monthly, with follow-through to reconcile revenue and ensure invoices are processed in a timely manner.
- Leads the team in processing payments in Oracle and may work with other team members on the procurement process.
- Plans, develops, and manages budgets, including developing monthly forecasts, including variance summaries and explanations.
- Works closely with units to understand variances and develop recommendations for programmatic changes or cost containment strategies to avoid deficits.
- Reviews financial reports for consistency and accuracy. Flags potential errors to be investigated and corrected.
- Oversees and tracks multi-year faculty fund support packages. Provides faculty periodic reports of spend and available balance.
- Prepares and submits financial transactions through the University systems in Oracle and Concur.
- Collaborates with the Director of Finance to prepare various presentations/trainings and relevant materials to convey financial and administrative matters to stakeholders and PME leadership.
- Provides feedback to the Director of Finance for developing and implementing metrics, methodologies, and toolkits for evaluating financial performance for both the PME overall and portfolio for assigned units.
- Collaborates with the Director of Finance on the annual budget process such as preparing departmental budget packets and inputting budgets into the Oracle Planning Module, UCPlan.
- Liaise with University Research Administration (URA) to reconcile research accounts, including grant accounts, effort reporting, and cost transfers.
- Analyzes and prepares budgets, creates accounts, and works with the financial accounting system to allocate, authorize, monitor, and control expenses.
- Prepares monthly reports, conducts and corrects errors in accounts using existing procedures that are in place, and provides advice on the financial impact of human resources and academic affairs decisions.
- 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 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field of study.
Experience:
- Work experience in accounting or related field.
- Progressively responsible experience in administrating sponsored research, preferably post-award.
- Background within an academic or complex administrative environment.
- Creating annual budgets.
- Monitoring and managing monthly expenses.
- Recharge core experience.
Technical Skills or Knowledge:
- Project management methodologies.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- High proficiency in financial modeling and analysis, budgeting, and Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and business systems such as Oracle, SAP/BW, and Workday.
- Strong computer skills including calendaring, document management, includes Dropbox, Box, etc; database management, and spreadsheet skills.
- Familiarity with report writing/submission and manuscript drafting, editing, and review.
- Expert knowledge of accounting principles.
- Strong financial modeling and benchmarking skills.
Preferred Competencies
- Commitment to providing a high level of service and working in a team environment.
- Demonstrated administrative, problem-solving, organization and coordination skills.
- Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent time management skills and handle multiple, concurrent tasks within deadlines with minimal supervision.
- Prioritize urgent tasks while ensuring established deadlines are met.
- Flexible and adaptable to changes in workflow and procedures.
- Handle stressful, sensitive and confidential situations and information with absolute discretion.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities and communication plans.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
- Cover Letter (required)
- Professional References Contact Information (3)(required)
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
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$80,000.00 - $90,000.00
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 theBenefits 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.
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.
