Finance Manager

Position: Finance Manager 1
About the Job

Priority consideration will be given to applications received July 24th.

Position Overview:

Serving as a vital leadership team member, the ECE Finance Manager ensures fiscal compliance and directs departmental financial operations. This Professional & Academic role demands significant expertise in both sponsored and non-sponsored research accounting. A central focus involves the supervision, mentorship, and professional growth of the department's accounting staff. Additionally, the manager will establish efficient accounting workflows to enhance competency in managing diverse funding sources while acting as a primary liaison between the department and University central administration.

This position reports to the department Chief of Staff.

Visa Language:
Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Job Duties:

Team Management and Supervision (30%)

* Direct the growth and professional advancement of the finance team (currently two Finance Professional 3s and one Finance Professional
1) through mentorship and performance evaluations.

* Coordinate operational workflows, establish departmental priorities, and manage task distribution.

* Monitor staff performance, offering constructive critiques and identifying necessary educational programs.

* Implement cross-training initiatives to ensure the department maintains reliable and continuous service quality.

* Cultivate a team-oriented workplace by integrating staff feedback into the refinement of policies and procedures.

* Collaborate with the Chief of Staff to address intricate challenges and enhance operational workflows and effectiveness.

Finance and Grants Management Oversight (50%)

* Evaluate the department's financial climate, identifying potential risks and strategic opportunities while keeping leadership informed and proposing corrective measures.

* Supervise all financial services, including sponsored and non-sponsored funds, pre-award proposal development, payroll, and procurement, to resolve management issues and implement optimized procedures.

* Partner with research accountants to generate comprehensive account reports for faculty members.

* Direct the implementation of grants management protocols and maintain oversight of the Effort Certification process.

* Lead annual budget preparation and strategic financial planning in conjunction with the Chief of Staff and department accountants.

* Execute duties as a Certified Approver and Level II department authority, reviewing and authorizing financial transactions, travel requests, and fund transfers.

* Provide expert guidance on the setup and re-budgeting of sponsored awards.

* Ensure continuous compliance by interpreting and communicating complex agency guidelines, such as NSF and A-21 regulations.

* Conduct regular audits of chart strings and manage corrective actions until all discrepancies are resolved.

* Manage formal correspondence with internal and external agencies and advise accounting staff on technical communications.

* Coordinate and draft responses for internal and external audit examinations.

* Utilize MnGEMS to manage award life cycles and facilitate the establishment of subcontracts and consortiums with collaborating institutions.

* Act as the primary department contact for the University Foundation regarding fund transfers and award setup.

Department Strategic Financial Projects (10%)

* Formulate and deliver in-depth financial assessments, including trend and variance analysis, along with comprehensive fiscal statements as directed by the Department Head and Chief of Staff.

* Oversee the coordination of complex, multi-investigator grant proposals, partnering with the Chief of Staff when appropriate.

* Audit existing financial workflows and methodologies to create innovative tools that drive operational efficiency.

* Undertake specialized strategic financial initiatives as designated by leadership.

University-wide, Collegiate & Department Citizenship, and Other Duties as Assigned (10%)

* Foster collaborative partnerships across the University by building and sustaining robust professional relationships.

* Engage in various administrative and fiscal policy discussions through active participation on assigned committees.

* Maintain current knowledge of industry standards in Departmental Research Administration through active involvement with professional bodies like SRA International or NCURA.

* Carry out additional responsibilities as required to effectively oversee the department's financial and accounting operations.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

* BA/BS and at least six (6) years of professional accounting experience.

* U of M Certified Approver.

Preferred Qualifications

* BA/BS in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

* Proven ability to lead and develop personnel while fostering effective cross-functional collaboration.

* Familiarity with University-specific financial regulations and…