Financial Operations Planner

Responsibilities

• The successful candidate will:
• Partner with a Strategic Finance Partner to support unit leadership through financial analysis, reporting, and decision support
• Collaborate on budget and resource analysis, gathering and analyzing data to support data-driven recommendations and financial insights
• Develop, maintain, and enhance financial models to support forecasting, long-range planning, and scenario analysis
• Support components of budget development and execution; contribute to the improvement and refinement of budget processes and tools
• Analyze financial reports and assist in explaining variances between budget and actual results; identify trends in revenues, expenditures, and other key drivers
• Monitor financial performance against budget and forecasts, highlighting risks, opportunities, and areas requiring attention
• Contribute to financial analysis for new initiatives, program reviews, and business plans, including ROI and cost-benefit considerations
• Assist in preparing annual operating budgets, ensuring alignment with unit and institutional priorities
• Support workforce planning and labor distribution activities for assigned business areas; assist with annual salary increase processes
• Develop and support financial dashboards and reporting tools for internal stakeholders and senior leadership
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, external regulations, and audit requirements; support audit-related activities as needed
• Collaborate with university partners to ensure consistent data sources and accurate financial reporting and projections
• May supervise staff, including supporting hiring, onboarding, and performance development
• Required Skills and Experience
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high level of attention to detail
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain financial information and concepts to diverse audiences
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and build relationships in a team-oriented environment
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced setting
• High level of initiative and self-direction, with a willingness to learn and grow in a strategic finance capacity
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with financial analysis, modeling, and reporting
• Preferred Skills and Experience
• Experience with enterprise systems such as SAP S/4HANA, Concur, Workday, Power BI, and Microsoft 365
• Additional Information
• MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
• Bachelor's Degree
• 6+ years of relevant experience
• Required Certifications:
• None
• BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
• Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of

Benefits

Additional Information

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants . Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants . POSITION SPECIFICS The Pennsylvania State University Office of Budget and Finance invites applications for the position of a Financial Operations Planner . This role supports the Office of Budget and Finance and Central Finance and Business units by partnering closely with a Strategic Finance Partner to provide financial guidance, analysis, and decision support to unit leadership. The Financial Operations Planner plays a key role in advancing financial planning and resource allocation efforts by contributing to budgeting, forecasting, and analytical activities. This position supports the development of financial insights and recommendations that inform strategic decision-making and help ensure alignment with the University's mission, priorities, and regulatory requirements.

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