Financial Lead Manager
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
The University of Michigan College of Pharmacy is seeking a Finance Manager. You will be a strategic thought-partner and report to the Director of Finance. The successful candidate will be a hands-on and participative manager and will lead and develop an internal team to support the following areas: finance, business planning and budgeting, and administration. The Finance Manager will play a critical role in partnering with the College of Pharmacy senior leadership team in strategic decision-making and managing operations.
This is a tremendous opportunity for a finance leader to maximize and strengthen the internal capacity of a well-respected, high-impact organization. The Finance Manager plays an important role in the overall management of the College of Pharmacy, which has an annual budget of $60 million and 250 full and part-time employees.
The Finance Manager is responsible for all financial, accounting, finance-related internal audit functions of the College of Pharmacy. The Finance Manager, in collaboration with the Finance Director, will guide the organization's accounting practices; supervise the organization's finance staff; manage the finances of donor gift funds; and provide general leadership in the areas of accounting, finance, and general business matters. In addition to guidance and support in assisting the Director of Finance with the development and monitoring of the annual budget, the Financial Manager assists academic department heads and executive staff team with strategic planning, financial analysis and advice.
- Evaluate budgeting and financial modeling tools and processes to streamline for efficiency and improved accuracy, consistency, and decision-making across the organization.
- Make timely and appropriate decisions related to finances on behalf of the College
- Ensure data governance for College financials
- Advise leadership on impact of budget decisions and commitments and communicate arising matters
- Collaborate with Director of Finance to provide Provost's office with sound financial projections
- Structure internal budgeting processes and establish internal controls to monitor operations and maintain budget limitations in alignment with established business processes
- Ensure excellence, effectiveness and efficiency of the College's financial operations
- Collaborate and build inclusive relationships with diverse stakeholders and foster a climate of service excellence by modeling respect, recognition, helpfulness and collaboration.
Analysis and Strategic Thinking 30%
- Apply strategic thinking and analyze data in planning and administering the College of Pharmacy's financial business in support of its academic mission and goals
- Understand the budgets of all areas within the College and be able to determine if spending is appropriate within each budget
- Develop long-term models to project the impact of changes or new assumptions affecting the College's budget
- Use strategic thinking to balance budget and finances either by utilizing existing funds or by creating new resources
- Propose College-wide savings opportunities through operational changes
Financial Services Lead 35%
- Provide leadership over and management of the College's financial services team and associated operations
- Interview, select and train employees; set and adjust their hours of work; plan and direct their work; appraise their productivity and efficiency to recommend promotions or other changes in their status; provide coaching and resources; engender teamwork
- Delegate responsibilities and shift workloads if necessary
- Encourage staff growth and development activities
- Encourage and support participation in establishing College policies and procedures related to finance and business operations
Support to Leadership 15%
- Provide sound financial data and reporting outcomes
- Foster an effective working partnership with leadership based on mutual trust, honesty and transparency in serving the best interest of the College
- Act as a sounding board for ideas to help inform decision-making
- Communicate and advise on matters related to financial policies, procedures and controls
- Participate in meetings, implement decisions on behalf of leadership and provide timely follow-up to inform and confirm these decisions
- Collaborate in establishing or revising College policies and procedures related to finance and business operations
- Partner with Director of Finance for sound decision making
Management Team 15%
- Foster an effective working partnership with other staff and faculty directors who manage the areas of facilities, human resources, information technology, communications, research, development, and academic-related services and operations
- Effectively educate and communicate on operational matters related to budgets, finances, and resources to the management team and their support staff
- Use discretion, respect, diplomacy, and good judgment in handling difficult or sensitive situations
Relations with Other University Contacts 5%
- Network and build strong working relationships with other staff across U-M to provide better planning and problem-solving on behalf of the College
- Develop an understanding of the mission and goals of other schools, colleges, and units and utilize that information in the planning process
- Partner with the AVP/Chief Financial Officer's office to establish proper controls for use of finances and resources
- Bachelors degree in finance, accounting, business administration, a related field or equivalent experience
- Eight years of financial analysis and progressive administrative experience
- Proven ability to lead and work in a team environment to drive innovative process improvement, manage organizational change, and apply tools and techniques to increase operational efficiencies
- Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with multiple and sometimes conflicting priorities.
- Successful record of gathering, extracting, and analyzing organizational data for short and long term planning
- Ability to relay and present information and data in a clear and concise manner
- Ability to create and maintain positive working relationships with all levels of the organization
- Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving abilities; strategic planning and thinking; strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills; strong organizational and project planning skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Ability to meet deadlines and take initiative
- Working knowledge of BI concepts related to higher-education budgeting and financials
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Required Knowledge
- Experience in finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control principles, including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
- Ability to interpret information or data and identify conclusions and generate potential course of actions; consider all information and data and sort through issues; apply sound judgment in choosing a specific course of action in resolving fiscal matters
- Strong knowledge of the Uof M policies, procedures and guidelines
Ability to meet special requirements
- Proven ability to lead the planning and development of a budget that meets the College and University needs; strong knowledge of the U-M funding structure and business systems related to tracking, reporting, and managing the College funds
- Ability to understand diverse perspectives and acknowledge the significance of differences and complexities in background, cultures, values and viewpoints as the foundation for an inclusive environment
- A progressive level of experience in management and leadership roles and ability to lead a productive team to meet goals and objectives
- Experience in applying AI to practical technology solutions is highly valued.
- CPA, CFA or other relevant designation
- Experience working in a higher education institution, particularly in a finance-related role, is highly desired.
- Master's degree in finance, accounting, or related field
- Strong ethics and integrity
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