"Financial Analyst 3"

SCHOOL/UNIT DESCRIPTION:

The Office of the Vice Provost and Dean of Research (VPDOR) provides guidance and support to facilitate, nurture and safeguard a thriving research ecosystem at Stanford. To this end, the VPDOR assumes dual roles. As Cognizant Dean for the independent academic units, the VPDOR oversees the program scope and resources for the sixteen multi-disciplinary and independent laboratories, centers, and institutes which operate outside of the schools’ boundaries. As Vice Provost and the University’s Chief Research Officer, the VPDOR recommends and promulgates new policy and its implementation; manages the mission-support offices that provide services of research compliance and administration, health and safety, and technology transfer to Stanford’s research enterprise; oversees the program and appointment of Academic Staff - Research; and advises the President and Provost in a broad array of academic issues pertaining to and beyond research.

POSITION SUMMARY:

VPDoR has a Financial Analyst 3 position available. The Financial Analyst 3 will perform complex finance functions and activities requiring advanced knowledge; sound financial judgement; and application of internal policies, external regulations, precedents, and systems. Reporting to the VPDoR Director of Finance, the Financial Analyst 3 will lead and manage the budget process, conduct complex financial analysis, build and improve complex financial models, develop and enhance insightful financial reports and provide expert financial support for VPDoR units and/or initiatives as assigned. This role may be responsible for managing financial compliance policies and programs. As a critical member of a dynamic and collaborative finance team, the Financial Analyst 3 will work together with the team to lead, support, and enable other functions within the organization in an ever-changing environment.

Projects and responsibilities include annual budget development, year-end close, variance analysis, supporting analysis for presentations to the leadership team at VPDoR and the university budget group, support financial system implementation, and lead or support analytical or process improvement projects. The Senior Financial Analyst is part of a high performing team which works collaboratively, leveraging advanced technical skills to both analyze and narrate the full scope of financial statements. This work requires a deep understanding of the financial statements. This position manages a wide variety of tasks in a fast-paced academic environment, requiring a high level of professionalism, productivity, accuracy, organization, multi-tasking, independence, sound judgment and decision-making.

This is an ideal job for an individual with outstanding analytical and communication skills who thrives within a collaborative and fast-paced environment. Learn more about our team here: https://doresearch.stanford.edu/office/office-vice-provost-and-dean-research.

CORE DUTIES:

• Perform highly analytical, complex finance and control functions; multi-dimensional and complex reconciliations and related analysis; prepare or review and approve complex transactions and higher-level dollar value transactions.
• Research and synthesize data; interpolate results from large amounts of data, identify trends in data, draw conclusions, develop solutions, present, and implement recommendations, and create follow up analysis.
• Develop complex budget and forecasting scenarios, long-range planning and analysis for financial reporting and presentations; design and run adhoc reports.
• Identify and resolve unique issues with substantial significance; recognize exceptions, and conduct in-depth analysis using advanced technical knowledge and experience. Recommend and develop solutions that may require policy changes or the development of new processes; maintain broader organizational and university perspective in decision making.
• Review, design, and implement appropriate internal control programs, research new regulations, and implement approved changes. Manage compliance program for area of responsibility, interpret internal policy and external regulations, and create and/or review complex compliance reports.
• Lead and execute unit or cross functional projects and teams, make decisions regarding projects and programs affecting operational effectiveness, policies, or processes.
• Engage in continuous critical analysis of existing systems and processes; make recommendations to achieve greater efficiencies and improve internal controls. Define requirements, develop, and implement complex test cases, perform testing and analyze results.
• Lead and support unit and organization strategy and change management initiatives.
• Participate in financial system testing and implementation. Provide training on financial systems. Represent organization to client group(s) and external partners; serve as subject matter expert on matters that involve complex technical, financial, or subject matter expertise.
• Assess client and business needs and formulate recommendations to determine the approach to managing and completing processes.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance or equivalent and six years of relevant experience or a combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced proficiency in business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel.
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial systems such as Oracle Financial Management System; internet and computer literacy.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to prepare materials for and clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences and client groups.
• Demonstrated project management skills and ability to contribute to or lead part of a multi-functional team.
• Experience in building financial models independently and preparing recommendations.
• Knowledge of business intelligence and analytics tools such as Tableau is preferred.
• Knowledge and experience in higher education is preferred.
• Curiosity to learn and solve problems independently

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:

• Constantly sitting.
• Frequently perform desk-based computer tasks, use telephone, writing by hand, sort/file paperwork.
• Occasionally stand/walk, lift/carry objects weighing 11-20 pounds.
• Rarely reach/work above shoulder.

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Routine extended working hours during peak cycles; travel to school/unit sites across university.

WORK STANDARDS:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.

Hybrid/Onsite: Hybrid

The expected pay range for this position is $144,052 to $163,814 per annum.