Department

F&A FIN - Financial Planning & Analysis and Debt Capital Markets

About the Department

Finance and Administration represents a committed group of people who serve the University in a variety of areas including financial services, information technology services, risk management, internal audit, compliance, human resources, and shared services. The goal of our division is to provide the services and support needed to foster an environment of academic and research excellence at the University of Chicago. Our team is dedicated to collaborative partnerships with our colleagues and customers that lay the foundation for an exemplary service delivery process. Finance and Administration is fully aligned with the strategic and academic priorities of the University, and each of the units within our division is tasked with implementing the processes necessary to achieve lasting excellence.

Job Summary

The University of Chicago is looking for a Senior Financial Analyst who will serve as a member of the finance team and will assist University-wide decision support through strategic financial analyses, debt management, and debt compliance. The position will be engaged with internal constituents across the University, as well as external constituents including auditors, investment banks and rating agencies. The position will provide critical support for the University’s finance leadership and impact short-term and long-term strategic decisions.

In partnership with the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis and Debt Capital Markets, the Financial Analyst will support the management of a $4.9 billion debt portfolio (as of FY24), a taxable commercial paper program, and liquidity management. The Senior Financial Analyst will ensure fulfillment of compliance obligations and assist with crafting University financial policies.

The ideal candidate will have experience in higher education finance working with finance, accounting and or legal teams, and will proficiently use financial models to guide strategic decision making, be adept at managing data, and efficiently partner with multiple units across an organization to complete high priority assignments. Degrees or experience in a quantitative or finance-related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Partners with the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) and Debt Capital Markets in producing various long-term forecasting models and analysis needed for the highest level of decision support for the Consolidated University. As of FY24, the Consolidated University operating revenue was $7.5 billion and net assets were $11.6 billion.Engages various stakeholders throughout the University, Medical Center and Marine Biological Laboratory to analyze data and scenario plan for the downside and upside impact of initiatives and external factors like inflation, rising interest rate environment, labor force pressures, global crisis, and a federal government shutdown to name a few.As new opportunities and challenges are presented to the University leaders, this position will be expected to be a key member of the FP&A team who conducts analyses and makes recommendations that support decisions beneficial to the University. These recommendations will often be presented to the Board of Trustees for information sharing and/or formal approvals.Leads the development of periodic reporting for use by leadership and the Board. Reporting includes development of current-year projections of financial performance, dashboards providing detail of financial performance at the unit level, updating the University’s long-term financial forecast, and supporting analyses for the University’s financial plan.Mentors and assists other analysts and University employees in debt management, debt compliance, financial planning, and modeling.Assists with the development of financial policies and guidelines, in particular around the implementation and use of the chart of accounts and financial reporting for the new Oracle Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.Plays a key role in the University’s finance team in the execution of bond transactions.Independently oversees and conducts various logistics and deliverables for rating agencies including quarterly liquidity reports, annual questionnaires, and presentations for each debt transaction.Ensures timely payment of debt service, swap payments, and fees, and maintains account balances.Records accounting entries on a monthly, quarterly, and as needed basis including interest, investment earnings, moneys received, and swap fair values.Supports the University’s overall debt management and debt-related efforts including financial analyses of the University’s existing debt and interest rate derivative portfolio and potential debt instruments. Maintains the debt reporting to provide ongoing decision support.Assists with the University's $600 million taxable commercial paper program, tracking of capital project expenditures and forecasts, and bond reimbursements.Manages the University’s debt compliance program including continuing disclosure obligations (such as Appendix A and MSRB EMMA postings), private business use (such as administration of the annual questionnaire and review of schedule K), annual officer’s certificates, and other requirements.Maintains or skillfully uses external databases including DAC, Archibus, Business Objects, and Oracle/Orbit. Ability to utilize Smart View for Oracle financial analysis is preferred.Partners with Director to complete audit responsibilities related to the University’s debt and works with the auditor to resolve any inquiries.Assists Director in preparing materials for Board meetings, including for the Financial Planning Committee, Executive Committee, and Ad Hoc committee.Identifies and addresses areas for process improvement within finance and treasury operations, including the ERP (Financial System Transformation in Oracle) and the treasury management system.Delivers ad-hoc reporting and analysis as needed to support the finance and treasury teams.Works independently to maintain and support the planning and execution of financial strategy.Reviews estimated expenditures. Develops expenditure projections and periodic budget variance reports. Prepares forecasts as well as analyses.Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Undergraduate or master’s degree in a STEM, business, accounting or economics field.

Experience:

Higher education finance, corporate or municipal finance, treasury management, and/or accounting.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

Fluency in using Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).Working knowledge with Oracle Cloud or other ERP system.Strong quantitative skills and demonstrated understanding of banking and tax-exempt and taxable debt concepts.Familiarity with GAAP financial statements.

Preferred Competencies

Team-oriented professional who embraces and advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion as good business practice.Interact quickly, thoughtfully, and impactfully with internal/external partners.Organized and proactive with managing multiple projects and competing priorities to meet deadlines.Curiosity-driven and continuously interested in professional growth.Strong writing and presentation skills and deliver complex information in a concise and effective manner that adds to decision support at the highest level.Proven attention to detail and desire to continuously learn and improve.

Application Documents

Resume/CV (required)Cover Letter (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Financial Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$68,000.00 - $114,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.