Financial Specialist

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Penn State College of Medicine, Controller's Office, in Hershey, PA, is seeking a Financial Specialist, Principal Professional to support the Medical Education business area by providing strategic oversight of budget, fiscal, operational, and compliance-related financial activities. This position supports leadership through financial planning, forecasting, executive reporting, operational analysis, and financial management across a complex academic and medical education enterprise.

This role oversees financial operations associated with an approved business area budget of approximately $34.5M across nine academic, student, and administrative areas, including Medical Education, Student Affairs, University Park Medical Campus, Library, Human Structure, Physician Assistant Program, Simulation Center, Global Health, and Continuing Education. The position supports diverse financial activities associated with educational programs, student and academic services, faculty and staff funding, gifts and endowments, and other operational resources supporting the College of Medicine's educational mission.

This position serves as a key financial resource to leadership and is responsible for budget preparation, forecasting, labor planning, financial analysis, executive reporting, compliance oversight, and operational support. The role develops executive-level reports, dashboards, and presentations to support strategic decision-making and collaborates with academic and program leadership, faculty, staff, and central administrative offices to ensure effective financial stewardship and operational continuity across the Medical Education business area.

This position offers a flexible work arrangement that combines remote and on-campus work. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

The successful candidate will:

• Reconcile and manage ledger and clearing accounts; resolve complex financial issues and ensure compliance with University policies.
• Compile and analyze financial and operational data for forecasting, strategic planning, resource allocation, and executive reporting.
• Prepare executive-level financial reports, dashboards, presentations, and operational analyses for leadership.
• Support labor planning, budget preparation, forecasting, and operational financial management activities across Medical Education programs and units.
• Maintain financial controls, operational procedures, and reporting structures to support compliance and efficient operations.
• Review and approve financial transactions, journal vouchers, correcting entries, and business expenses as appropriate.
• Provide financial analysis, operational forecasting, and strategic guidance to academic and administrative leadership.
• Support audit, compliance accreditation-related, and year-end financial activities across the business area.
• Coordinate financial reporting and operational support activities associated with academic programs, student services, and other Medical Education initiatives.
• Provide oversight, workflow coordination, and guidance for financial staff supporting the business area.

Required skills and experience:

• Strong financial management and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial and operational data and translate it into actionable insights and recommendations for leadership.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to independently manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and reporting requirements simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities, including the capacity to identify financial and operational risks, resolve complex issues, and develop and recommend process improvements.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex financial information and effectively collaborate with senior leadership, faculty, academic and administrative staff, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, maintain confidentiality, and manage sensitive financial information with professionalism and integrity.