Department

BSD SRF - Finance - Operations

About the Department

The mission of the Animal Resources Center (ARC) is to assist investigators in performing their animal research while ensuring appropriate and humane care of all laboratory animals. The Animal Resources Center (ARC) at The University of Chicago is responsible for the use and care of all research animals on campus. The ARC manages 6 facilities and a business office. Its sections are as follows: husbandry, maintenance, operations, veterinary care, finance and administration. The unit is administratively combined with the Office of Shared Research Facilities (OSRF).

OSRF oversees the core facilities, which make up a pivotal and essential part of the research ecosystem, providing critical resources that enable existing and emerging technologies to facilitate groundbreaking discoveries. OSRF Cores offer expertise in state-of-the-art instrumentation and services as well as experimental design and data analysis to advance research programs across the disciplines. Operated as fee-for-service facilities, OSRF cores are managed in order to best support the University’s mission to discover and create new knowledge of living systems. We are driven by the research needs of the faculty.

Job Summary

The job 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.

Under the supervision of the Director of Finance & Administration (DFA), this position provides financial and accounting support to the Core Facilities overseen by the Office of Shared Research Facilities (OSRF) as well as the Animal Resources Center (ARC).

Responsibilities

Develop meaningful, easy to understand reporting for the 18 OSRF core facilities.

Complete quarterly financial analysis and monthly forecasts/projections for the cores. Develop unique metrics for each core to help manage financials.

Lead quarterly meetings with core facilities, reporting on actual results versus budget and prior year.

Ensure accuracy and compliance of financial results by identifying and processing journal entries, cost corrections and payroll transfers, when necessary.

Work to streamline and automate reporting.

Collaborate with internal departments and external clients to ensure timely collections and payments. Monitor the AR Aging and work with the Financial Manager, Financial Administration Analyst, and the Sr. Business Support Assistant to ensure payments are processed.

Partner with the DFA and the Financial Manager to complete monthly forecasts and the annual operating budget.

Lead the annual rate analysis exercise, working with the core directors, the DFA, Financial Manager and Financial Services to ensure rates are accurate and cores are compliant with NIH rules and regulations.

Partner with the core facilities during the implementation of a new core management system.

Embrace the E4 Leadership Principles (Engage, Evolve, Excel, Equality) and continually strive for process improvement; engage in E4L events throughout the ARC and OSRF.

Assist with the preparation of various presentations, collecting and analyzing applicable data, summarizing and formatting for presentation to Executive Leadership.

This position requires to be on campus a minimum of 3 days a week.

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 correct errors in accounts using existing procedures that are in place, and provides advice on the financial impact of human resources and academic affairs decisions.

May work with other administrators on the procurement process, allocates expenditures for authorization, and advises in communications regarding funding agencies, subcontractors, and others at the instruction and direction of others.

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 or Economics.

Experience:

Minimum of 3 years of related experience and/or training strongly preferred.

Experience working in an academic environment or biomedical field strongly preferred.

Preferred Competencies

Advanced skills with Microsoft Suite, especially Excel.

Knowledge of Oracle strongly preferred.

Experience developing data visualizations and dashboards in PowerBI or Tableau strongly preferred.

Ability to work under pressure, manage competing deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Ability to summarize detailed issues in a concise and structured manner strongly preferred.

Ability to comprehend and interpret various financial concepts and principles strongly preferred.

Ability to communicate financial information to a non-financial audience strongly preferred.

Ability to understand and carry out instructions and solve problems in complex situations strongly preferred.

Ability to respond to e-mails from customers in a timely manner.

Excellent customer/staff interpersonal skills.

Ability to work independently and with a team.

Working Conditions

Ability to sit and/or stand for prolonged periods of time.

Ability to use standard office equipment.

Ability to work in an office environment.

May require substantial walking between facilities and cores.

Application Documents

Resume (required)

Cover Letter (preferred)

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

40

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$55,896.00 - $93,204.00

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 Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, 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.

 

Staff 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.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

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.