Senior Manager, Financial Planning and Analysis

Senior Manager, Financial Planning and Analysis

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Finance, the Senior Manager, Financial Planning and Analysis, leads financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, and strategic financial analysis across the portfolio. This role is responsible for developing and maintaining annual operating budgets, multi-year financial plans, forecasts, financial models, and executive-level analyses that support informed decision-making and effective resource allocation. The Senior Manager serves as a trusted financial partner to senior leadership and works closely with the University Budget Office, Financial Services, Procurement, University Research Administration, Board Relations, and finance teams at Argonne and Fermilab.

This position also supports financial controls, audit readiness, compliance, and reporting requirements associated with University programs, strategic projects, partner agreements, and national laboratory activities. The emphasis of this role is proactive financial planning and analysis, with compliance and national laboratory responsibilities integrated as part of the broader finance portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development, coordination, and analysis of annual budgets, quarterly forecasts, multi-year financial plans, and year-end projections for operating units, strategic initiatives, and projects within the portfolio.
• Owns monthly and quarterly financial performance reporting, including actual-to-budget and actual-to-forecast variance analysis, trend analysis, financial position forecasts, and identification of emerging risks and opportunities.
• Develops financial models, scenario analyses, and business cases to support strategic planning, resource allocation, new initiatives, partner agreements, and executive decision-making.
• Prepares concise, decision-oriented financial presentations, dashboards, and recommendations for senior leadership, translating complex financial information into clear implications and actionable options.
• Advises senior leaders and program owners on budget development, spending plans, cost management, funding strategies, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Monitors operating and project budgets throughout the fiscal year and partners with stakeholders to address variances, optimize expenses, and maintain alignment with approved financial plans.
• Supports financial planning, reporting, and stewardship associated with the University's national laboratory responsibilities, including selected Argonne and Fermilab activities, Board of Governors engagements, and related strategic initiatives.
• Coordinates with National Laboratory finance teams and University partners on financial information, budget submissions, project reporting, and other finance requirements as needed.
• Maintains strong internal financial controls and supports compliance with University policies, US GAAP, applicable federal requirements, grant and fund management standards, and contractual obligations.
• Supports internal and external audit activities, including preparation of financial schedules, documentation, responses, and implementation of process improvements or risk-mitigation actions arising from reviews.
• Provides financial oversight for procurement, consulting and partner agreements, grants/funds, and other financial commitments within the portfolio; identifies financial and operational risks and recommends appropriate controls.
• Partners with the Budget Office, Financial Services, Procurement, University Research Administration, Office of Legal Counsel, Board Relations, National Laboratory finance teams, and other stakeholders to ensure consistent and effective financial management.
• Leads process improvement efforts that strengthen forecasting, reporting, budget management, internal controls, and the effective use of ERP, reporting, and analytical tools.
• Develops standardized financial planning tools, reporting templates, and processes to improve transparency, consistency, and efficiency across the portfolio.
• Conducts quantitative and qualitative analysis to identify cost drivers, expense optimization opportunities, financial trends, and opportunities to improve resource utilization or support revenue and funding strategies.
• Provides day-to-day guidance and financial subject-matter expertise to analysts and colleagues supporting the portfolio and contributes to team development, knowledge sharing, and cross-functional projects.
• Reviews estimated expenditures. Develops expenditure projections and periodic budget variance reports. Prepares forecasts as well as analyses.
• Acts as a resource for team members, solves complex problems. Explains complex and sensitive information.
• 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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job…