Sr. Financial Analyst

Job Description:

The Office of Financial Strategy & Planning (OFSP) within the Finance Division at Brown supports the University’s teaching and research mission by providing strategic support across the highest levels of the University including the University Leadership, Central Administration Leadership, and School and Department Leadership.

This hybrid-eligible Senior Financial Analyst role will be responsible for the office’s relationship with a number of the University’s units (divisions or departments), including conducting objective analyses of the unit’s financial performance, developing an in-depth understanding of their financial structure, and reviewing the unit’s quarterly results, operating budgets, and long-range financial and capital planning. This position will also be involved in a wide range of initiatives to advise University leadership, Schools and units on critical strategic financial questions.

Major Responsibility: Developing an in-depth understanding of client’s (division or department) financial structures to frame key questions for unit and University leadership

Supporting Actions:

• Developing strong relationships with unit leadership and within central finance to collaborate on key financial planning challenges and opportunities.
• Working closely with leadership to analyze and evaluate quarterly results, operating budgets, long-range financial and capital plans ahead of engagement with the Chief Financial Officer, Provost, Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration, President, and the Corporation
• Managing the objective analysis of unit financial performance and preparing supplemental narratives to support quantitative analysis, when applicable.
• Attending regular meetings with directors, deans, appropriate staff and leadership to discuss operating performance, upcoming deliverables and priorities.
• Developing familiarity with day-to-day operations and the programs of the units to be able to provide guidance and advise on University policies and financial implications.
• Designing and delivering presentations that educate University leadership on potential options, facilitating informal and formal dialogue as needed
• Developing hypotheses and conducting analyses to respond to ad-hoc queries and strategic requests.

Major Responsibility: Manage financial deliverables, including reporting, budgeting, and forecasting and other financial planning processes; coordinate with embedded staff to ensure efficiency and accuracy

Supporting Actions:

• Developing and maintaining interim reporting, leveraging the University’s financial systems Workday and Adaptive Insights, with a focus on University-wide standardization.
• Managing financial analysis processes, analyzing business critical systems, and proactively resolving strategic issues that may span multiple areas.
• Developing and implementing strategies for: budgeting; forecasting, modeling & projecting; identifying & explaining variances; financial reporting; internal controls; expense reductions; cost containment; and revenue enhancements.
• Suggesting strategies for best use of funds.
• Serving as Cost Center Manager for assigned Cost Centers

Major Responsibility: Member of Office of Financial Strategy and Planning (OFSP) Team and Finance Division

Supporting Actions:

• Work closely with other groups within the Finance Division (including the offices of the Controller, Treasury, Workday) to better understand University-wide financial management issues that inform planning, reporting, and analysis.
• Responsible for creating/updating process manuals and/or reporting templates in collaboration with team leadership.
• Cross-train with other analysts to gain a working understanding of their areas of responsibility
• Assist other analysts as appropriate in times of workflow fluctuations, if needed

Job Qualifications

Education and Experience

• BA/BS degree in accounting, finance, economics, or related field; 3-5 years relevant FP&A experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
• MBA/CPA/MSF preferred

Job Competencies

• Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to management and/or senior leadership
• Experience with designing and executing strategy-based financial analyses, including scenario modeling
• Well-organized, flexible, and able to manage multiple challenging projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborative working style and ability to build strong relationships with people at all levels of the organization
• Strong computing skills; advanced Excel, PowerPoint, and accounting software
• Experience working with financial reporting such as profit and loss statements or balance sheets
• Initiative and ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Ability to learn new systems quickly
• Demonstrated ability to support a community of diverse perspectives and cultures in an inclusive environment.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a criminal background check and education verification satisfactory to Brown University.

Recruiting Start Date:2024-01-17Job Posting Title:Sr. Financial AnalystDepartment:Office of Financial Strategy and PlanningGrade:Grade 10Worker Type:EmployeeWorker Sub-Type:RegularTime Type:Full timeScheduled Weekly Hours:37.5

Position Work Location:

Hybrid EligibleSubmission Guidelines:Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Brown University you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.Still Have Questions?If you have any questions you may contact employment@brown.edu.EEO Statement:Brown University is an E-Verify Employer.As an EEO/AA employer, Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, and caste, which is protected by our University policies.