Director of Finance

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of grant and finance managers who are responsible for managing project-level budgets with research teams for funding proposals, managing project spending through the project, and reporting regularly to donors.
• Supervise and mentor the finance and grants staff; establishes performance goals and allocates necessary resources.
• Provide financial analysis and strategic guidance to the leadership team as they make unit-wide financial decisions.
• Provide reports at least quarterly analyzing the Lab's financial performance including analyzing spending against annual fiscal year budgets.
• Provide regular financial advice and ideas.
• Regularly watch for financial risks and problems and discuss these issues with leadership.
• Lead budgeting processes and oversee Lab's financial picture.
• Track performance against budget and provide strategic advice to the Lab's leadership team as well as regularly provide actuals to the project teams.
• Ensures compliance with University financial policies and procedures and builds systems that work for DIL culture that help ensure compliance and efficiency.
• Ensures adherence to University financial regulations and standards.
• Stays updated on changes in financial policies, grant requirements, and best practices.
• Manages, negotiates, and resolves financial compliance issues with various donors and University offices.
• Oversees a team of people, including a grants manager and associates who manage the procurement of all goods and services for the Development Innovation Lab. This includes ensuring compliance with University requirements as well as with any restrictions related to grant or gift funding.
• Collaborates with other University departments such as the Unit Finance team, Budget office, URA, and other partners.
• Direct effective collaboration between the finance team and research and policy teams, acting as a thought partner and problem-solver of the diverse needs of the organization.
• Oversees the management of payroll allocations across funding sources, ensuring funds are used appropriately as budgeted and for the efficient use of donor or other funds.Responsible for working with Lab leadership to avoid over- or under-staffing of activities.
• Manage time tracking system to aid leadership in project management and ensures grant and gift spending on salaries accurately aligns with staff effo

Benefits

Additional Information

Department SSD Development Economics Center: Staff and Temporary Employees About the Department The Development Innovation Lab at the University of Chicago uses the tools of economics to develop innovations with the potential to benefit millions of people in low- and middle-income countries. It was founded and is led by Nobel laureate Michael Kremer. Job Summary The job manages a team of professional staff responsible for the financial management of operating and capital budgets for divisions and/or University-wide administrative units. Develops long and short term plans to achieve financial goals, business strategies/plans, and financial forecasts/models for all major service programs and initiatives. Manages quarterly and year-end reporting for the operating budget. This Director will work collaboratively with a range of Lab staff to set up systems to help the team oversee the finances for their projects. This includes managing operating budgets for the Lab, including leading an annual and quarterly budgeting process. They will report regularly to Lab leadership and managers of individual projects and grants on the current financial situation of their areas, flag concerns and, as appropriate, provide recommendations for action. The Finance Director will also work closely with the Lab's leadership to analyze the Lab's overall financial picture, including analyzing risks and opportunities. This position serves as a key liaison between DIL and central university offices. The Director will work routinely with the Director of Financial Operations for the Social Sciences Division, the University Budget Office, and University Research Administration to ensure alignment on financial reporting, budget processes, and policy compliance. This includes preparing financial reports for the University and donors.

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