"Temporary Finance Professional"

Temporary Finance Professional

Posted: 23-Dec-25

Location: Ithaca, New York

Categories: Staff/Administrative

Who We Are

CALS is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second-largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy, and environmental resources; and social, physical, and economic well-being.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is the world's leading resource for conservation, research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. The Lab is a vibrant unit within Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), where six world-class, mission-driven centers are directed by full-time faculty and other renowned professionals. Lab staff teach undergraduate courses, advise graduate students, collect and disseminate world-famous digital resources on biodiversity, and engage with partner organizations and citizens around the world to conduct scientific research and conservation actions. Our management and staff are committed to the highest standards of ethics and excellence in all areas of our work, and our Board leadership includes successful entrepreneurs and managers from the business and non-profit sectors, conservation-minded citizens from the United States and beyond, and faculty from Cornell and other universities.

What You Will Do

The Financial Analyst will serve as a strong customer service-minded team member who provides high level, confidential financial support to the Lab. As Financial Analyst for multiple Lab programs, you will facilitate and support program initiatives as set by the executive director, center directors and the Lab’s strategic plan. Provide oversight and direction for financial and administrative operations including the following:

• Serve as a financial business partner to supported programs, developing deep understanding of programmatic activities, providing the other Financial Analyst and programmatic staff with decision support guidance on every aspect of sound business practices, regulation and policy compliance, funding opportunities, cost reductions, etc.
• Oversee all program accounting activities and collaborate to create and monitor annual budgets, including monthly financial reports and account reconciliations;
• Develop financial projections and work with finance and program staff to develop and maintain effective funds management strategies based on the mix of resources and projects;
• Provide strong financial management and stewardship support, identifying and adopting best practices, streamlining processes, and educating program staff on sound business practices;
• Serve as support for program principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders regarding all aspects of grant and contract proposal submissions and management through closeout;
• Partner with the Lab’s Director of Administration, Manager of Finance and Contracts, and other members of the finance team to ensure compliance with sponsoring agency guidelines and CU policies;
• Act as liaison and foster strong working partnerships with Cornell and CALS central offices, account managers at corporate businesses and granting agencies, Office of Sponsored Programs, and other parties;
• Plan, assign, schedule and coordinate workflow related to financial activity and reporting within the programs;
• Collaborate with Human Resources staff and program directors to manage effort distribution for program personnel across all funding sources;
• Represent the Lab on Cornell and CALS projects/committees as requested.

Position has direct reporting relationship to the Manager of Finance and Contracts.

What We Need

We are looking for someone with an excellent work ethic who is organized and passionate. Additionally, we need someone who has the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting and/or business administration. 3-5 years of financial/accounting experience in academic, research or not-for-profit organizations.
• Proficient with computer applications for financial management and reporting (MS Excel, Word, Access); proven ability to prepare accurate and timely financial reports useful to end user for decision making.
• Excellent oral/written communications and time management skills essential.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment with a diverse group of co-workers and collaborators while providing excellent customer service.
• Must be able to use sound judgment in decision making and in accomplishing tasks that are urgent or of a sensitive or confidential nature, balance conflicting priorities, and make decisions from a range of choices.
• Proven ability to find creative solutions when complex issues arise.
• Strong working knowledge of budgeting and accounting principles and practices, grant and contract management, partner agreements such as MOUs and MOAs, personnel policies and procedures, conflict management and exposure to contract negotiations.
• Demonstrate strong analytical skills.
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills are critical.
• Must be able to work independently, while collaborating as part of a team.
• Able to build strong working relationships to solve problems and achieve common goals.
• Ability to advocate for individuals from a broad range of backgrounds.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

If you possess these experiences and skills, this may be the role for you! There are a few other qualifications that we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, including:

• Bachelor’s degree; 7-10 years of financial/accounting management experience.
• Experience with Cornell policies and procedures in grant and contract management (Research Administration Certificate Program completion, formal Sponsored Financial Services (SFS) training), procurement, and accounting.
• Knowledge and expertise in the use of Cornell’s on-line systems: KFS, OAS queries, ID&R Dashboards, RASS Portal, Workday and external grant submission systems: NSF Fastlane, Grants.gov, Research.gov.

This is a temporary, full-time position at 100% FTE, 40 hours per week and will be located in Ithaca, New York. This is a six-month term appointment with potential to renew up to a year, contingent upon available work, funding, and performance.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role two to three days per week within New York State and on-site two to three day per week in Ithaca, New York. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke, or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

No relocation assistance is provided for this position.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

Competitive compensation, generous time-off, and great benefits – More on Cornell Benefits

The compensation range for this position is 77,830 - 80,000 annually.

How to Apply

You must submit both a resume/CV and a cover letter.

When applying through our system, please attach your application materials (resume/CV and cover letter). You can upload documents either by "dragging and dropping" them into the dropbox or by using the "upload" icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website. If you are an internal employee, please log in to Workday.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Life. Changing.

University Job Title: Temporary Finance Professional

Job Family: Temporary Finance/Budget/Planning

Remote Option Availability: Hybrid