Financial Manager – Dean’s Operations

Overview

This role involves leading financial reporting, analysis, and operational finance activities for the Dean’s Office within the School of Medicine. Responsibilities span complex financial reporting for designated funds, advanced forecasting and scenario modeling, internal controls and tracking, and partnership with multiple department stakeholders to support School strategic initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Manage financial reporting and operations for the Dean’s funds, including:
  • University General Funds (tuition and sponsored research costs)
  • Hospital-related revenue (including grants and university tax contributions)
  • Internal income such as department fees
• Oversee Dean’s expenses, including:
  • Department operating budgets
  • Dean’s commitments
  • Purchased services (e.g., MCD and LPFCH support, liability insurance, legal)
  • University cost recovery
• Develop complex financial analyses, budget and forecast scenarios, and long-range plans, with a focus on strategic investments in faculty recruitment.
• Model Dean’s Office capacity to maximize faculty recruitment investments while balancing other institutional commitments.
• Conduct ad hoc analysis to inform decisions on the use of funds and sources of revenue.
• Advise the Controller’s team and CFO on prioritizing spend to fund School strategic initiatives.
• Partner with departments to rethink fee and revenue structures with an emphasis on sustainability and equity.
• Lead development of financial reporting on Dean’s revenue and uses of funds using actuals, budgets, projections, and data from hospitals, the research management group, and development.
• Build ad hoc analyses of revenue and expenditure trends tied to clinical activity, expendable surpluses, and research expenditures; tailor findings for senior leadership.
• Present quarterly financials to the CFO and other senior leaders.
• Evaluate and improve fee and cost-sharing policies, including:
  • Capital Facilities Fund
  • Dean’s Assessment
  • University Assessment
  • Expense and revenue-sharing arrangements with departments (e.g., legal recharges, space cost recovery)
• Design and strengthen internal controls and tracking procedures for Dean’s revenue and expenses.
• Expand Dean’s Commitments reporting and manage annual surveys used for accreditation and institutional ratings (LCME, OMS), including data collection, review, and submission.
• Lead process excellence efforts across the Controller’s team by designing operational improvements with the Controller and CFO.
• Drive reporting enhancements such as automation and new platforms; train colleagues on new tools and systems.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for School leadership; gather feedback to improve reporting models.
• Cross-train team members to ensure backup coverage for key processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Core Duties (Finance & Control)

• Perform highly analytical, complex finance and control functions, including multi-dimensional and complex reconciliations.
• Prepare or review and approve complex transactions and higher-level dollar value transactions.
• Research and synthesize data across broad areas; develop complex financial analyses, budget/forecasting scenarios, and long-range planning.
• Perform root-cause analysis, synthesize information, draw conclusions, and propose solutions.
• Develop complex financial reports and presentations; design and run ad hoc reports; provide consultation to senior leadership to interpret results.
• Identify and resolve strategic and unit/department issues, recommending and implementing solutions.
• Ensure effective and efficient delivery and integration of financial services for the assigned area of responsibility.
• Design and implement internal controls and compliance programs for the area of responsibility.
• Lead multiple complex, high-visibility process innovation projects with significant organizational impact.
• Develop, assess, and continuously improve systems and processes to achieve efficiencies and strengthen internal controls.
• Design and provide training on new financial systems.
• Analyze problems in business-critical systems, identify risks and solutions, and act as business owner of project work.
• Represent the organization to client groups and leaders as a subject matter expert on complex technical, financial, or subject matter issues.
• Assess client and business needs and formulate recommendations to determine approaches for managing and completing processes.
• May supervise, train, coach, and review other staff work as needed; contribute primarily through applying individual expertise.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and eight years of relevant experience (or a combination of education and relevant experience).
• Expert proficiency in business applications, especially Microsoft Excel.
• Advanced knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning and financial systems; internet and computer literacy.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Advanced professional communication skills, including the ability to prepare materials and communicate clearly to internal and external audiences across management levels.
• Advanced project management skills, including the ability to lead large multi-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• None listed.

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation information not provided.

Location

• Travel to school/unit sites across the university.

Physical Requirements

• Constantly sitting.
• Frequently perform desk-based computer tasks; use telephone; write by hand; sort/file paperwork.
• Occasionally stand/walk; lift/carry objects weighing 11–20 pounds.
• Rarely reach/work above shoulder.
• Reasonable accommodation will be provided for employees with disabilities who require accommodation to perform essential job functions, consistent with legal obligations.

Working Conditions

• Routine extended working hours during peak cycles.

Work Standards

• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work effectively with university colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrate commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicate safety concerns; use and promote safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Comply with applicable university policies and procedures, including personnel policies and other policies in the University’s Administrative Guide.