RPM Financial Analyst Lead - Military Veterans

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The Resource Planning and Management unit in the College of Engineering's RPM Finance Team seeks a seasoned Senior Finance Analyst, who is eager to grow into a lead-level position, to assist the Director of Budget and Financial Operations and the Dean's Office. This position will support financial growth and development through the preparation of comprehensive financial reports, trend analysis, and accurate forecasting to aid strategic planning. This individual will be responsible for creating and presenting detailed financial reports to senior leadership, analyzing tuition and revenue to support academic and financial planning, and developing annual budget models and financial projections while providing strategic insights.

Resource Planning and Management (RPM) provides administrative support services for financial planning and management, human resources, research administration, and facilities planning and management for the College of Engineering. As the main administrative unit of the College, RPM reports directly to the Dean and works closely with CoE's academic leaders to sustain and advance the academic mission of the College.

Financial Reporting and Analysis:

• Lead the preparation and maintenance of comprehensive financial reports and in-depth analyses on fund balances, income statements, and return on investment (ROI) at the college level.
• Conduct thorough trend analysis and provide accurate forecasts to support informed decision-making and strategic planning.
• Regularly present and effectively communicate financial reports and forecasts to senior leadership and relevant stakeholders.

Tuition and Revenue Management:

• Conduct in-depth, detailed analysis of tuition attribution and instructional revenue, supporting the academic and financial planning processes.
• Utilize higher education data, such as student enrollment, tuition rates, and financial aid, for strategic planning and funding purposes.
• Develop sophisticated financial models and analyses for various educational programs, including online initiatives, ensuring financial sustainability.

Budgeting and Financial Planning:

• Determine comprehensive annual budgets for various organizational funds, such as endowments, fellowships, and scholarships.
• Conduct thorough financial projections, offering actionable insights and recommendations for optimal resource allocation and financial stability.

Strategic Analysis and Special Projects:

• Lead special projects and conduct in-depth financial studies to assess the financial health of academic and administrative units based on specific initiatives.
• Analyze the financial impact of strategic decisions, including new hires, program expansions, and departmental restructuring.
• Provide expert financial guidance to senior leaders, aiding in developing long-term financial strategies.

Other:

• Stay informed of financial planning and analysis developments, incorporating new methodologies and technologies, including AI, to enhance financial processes and outcomes.
• Continuously identify opportunities for process improvement and implement best practices in financial reporting and analysis.
• Ensure clear and effective communication of financial insights and strategies across the organization.
• Perform other duties as requested, contributing to the organization's overall financial health and strategic objectives.

Educational/Professional Background:

• A bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field is required.
• A minimum of 8 years of higher education professional experience in financial analysis, business analysis, or a similar role at the senior level. 10+ years of high-level position in higher education for lead level.
• Demonstrated experience with budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Significant experience with data sets, including financials, student, HR, space, research, gifts/endowments, etc.

Technical Skills:

• High-level proficiency in financial analysis tools and software such as MReports, Business Objects (BO), and Tableau.
• Expertise in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, for data analysis and report generation.

Analytical and Research Skills:

• Strong analytical skills to conduct comprehensive economic research and prepare detailed financial analyses.
• Proven ability to analyze trends and prepare forecasts in higher education.
• Experience creating, displaying, and interpreting charts, graphs, and models.

Communication and Presentation Skills:

• Excellent communication skills to present complex financial information clearly and concisely to stakeholders at various levels.
• Ability to create comprehensive reports and presentations for diverse audiences.

Project and Organizational Skills:

• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while ensuring timely and accurate completion of work.
• Ability to multitask, meet pressing deadlines, and anticipate needs. Highly proactive, with a high sense of accountability for work tasks, and adaptability.
• Ability to manage time effectively with a high degree of accuracy. Highly detail-oriented and able to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment, with strong collaboration skills.

• A Master's degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field is required.
• Experience with faculty cost analysis, tuition attribution, Business Objects (BO) query creation, and return on investment assessments.
• Knowledge of university financial policies and practices.
• Understanding and projecting the financial viability of academic units and programs.

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

A higher salary may be considered for an extraordinarily qualified candidate.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.