Senior Manager, Finance

Overview

The Senior Finance Manager will report directly to senior finance leadership and will collaborate extensively with department leaders, faculty, and staff to maximize fiscal responsibility. This role is responsible for the preparation, management, and administration of the department's long-term and daily financial activities, ensuring compliance with policies in business and finance. Demonstrating strong leadership skills, this manager will lead project teams effectively, building strong relationships with stakeholders across various functional areas. The candidate must thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, using their financial expertise to deliver efficient financial services and strong internal controls.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage organizations and project teams effectively.
2. Proven ability to manage time and resources efficiently, ensuring adherence to policies and procedures.
3. Outstanding communication skills, including the ability to convey complex information clearly.
4. Advanced proficiency in Excel and database management.
5. Experience in financial management and internal control systems in a complex environment.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. Thorough knowledge of accounting, financial reporting, and analysis.
2. Experience in preparing budgets, forecasts, and financial plans.
3. MBA or a Master's equivalent in a related field.
4. Expertise in managing relationships and influencing outcomes within a complex organization.
5. Prior experience in a shared services or accounts payable group.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Financial Services Manager: Provides comprehensive financial services (educational, research and/or clinical) for which (s)he is accountable. Escalates issues or concerns on financial, operational services and administrative business affairs to the Director/Associate Director Finance & Administration.
2. Financial Analyst and Advisor: With the Director/Associate Director, builds financial plans for the unit. Provides comprehensive financial information, analysis and reporting. Monitors and evaluates use of financial resources; recommends adjustments; takes action as appropriate. Oversees, monitors, and authorizes daily financial transactions per policy. Responds to financial inquiries from Dean/ Director/Chair. Identifies available financial resources (current/future); recommends efficient resource deployment to support unit objectives. Prepares all funds budgets. Enables academic leadership focus on program activities by: managing financial support services for the unit; assessing financial and/or operational challenges and opportunities and solving for and/or leveraging these working with the Director and/or others as appropriate; facilitating and strengthening the interface between unit needs/requirements and service providers and activities.
3. Risk Manager: Implements and maintains strong internal controls. Provides reasonable assurance of effective, appropriate resource use; accurate financial information; adherence to contractual obligations and agreements, policies, procedures, and external regulatory requirements. Takes corrective action to protect Yale’s assets, resources, information and reputation. Identifies, communicates, and addresses issues/concerns in a timely and appropriate manner. Ensures all faculty and staff know regulations, policies, procedures and Yale requirements that pertain to their scope of activity. Escalates issues to the Director, Finance & Administration as appropriate.
4. University Citizen: Connects the unit and University through communication, alignment of priorities, and active participation in University administrative priorities. Implements initiatives generated by the Director, Finance & Administration and the University. Represents unit needs, challenges, and opportunities at the Director, and/or University level. Creates opportunities to enhance the image and value of the unit. Shares knowledge and best practices with others.
5. Talent Manager and Developer: Effectively attracts, retains, and develops high quality talent. Collaborates with HR partners and Director in selection, performance management and career development processes, and addresses employee relations issues in accordance with University guidelines and contractual agreements. With the Director, assesses non-faculty personnel and unit’s future talent needs. Cultivates a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives in the unit. Maximizes employee performance and creates an environment that encourages professional growth and career development of employees. Plays a critical role in onboarding and orienting any new Director, Finance and Administration to the unit’s finances and book of business.
6. Strategic Resource: With the Director (and, when appropriate, with the Dean/Director/Chair or other key staff) contributes to shaping the unit's financial and operational priorities and the strategic planning process. Translates strategy into actions; assesses resources available for unit goal achievement, e.g., funding, space, technology, staff capabilities and capacity; recommends resource uses to achieve short and long-term goals; identifies factors that may impact the unit’s ability to meet its mission and goals. Recognizes and raises potential issues, ideas and solutions to Director.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelors’ degree and 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.