Financial Operations Manager

Department: MCC Administration
Salary/Grade: EXS/8

Job Summary:

The Financial Operations Manager is the McCormick School of Engineering's lead Dean's Office representative in all matters relating to financial policy and procedure, purchasing practices, corporate card, accounting services, accounts payable, contracts, expense reimbursements and financial compliance. This position guides the engineering school's financial operations activities with in-depth knowledge and interpretation of Northwestern policies and practices, with political tact and a customer centric viewpoint. Provides detailed pre-review of contracts on behalf of the Associate Dean and applies school-level approval to policy and 90-day exceptions and level three purchasing (over $5,000). Coordinates with central offices and works closely with school leadership, reporting to the Director of Financial Administration.

Specific Responsibilities:

Administrative and Financial Services

Reimbursement Center

• Oversees & ensures that day-to-day operations are appropriately managed, efficient and effective.
• Supervises 2 staff
• Provides regular reports and statements to senior staff.

Corporate Card Program

• Manages the school's corporate card program by setting policies in line with central office, training users, approving temporary limit increases, monitoring and addressing the nature of spending activity, and mainlining the list of users and liabilities.
• Provides detailed pre-review of contracts and other agreements on behalf of the Associate Dean Reviews and supports processes for requests for donations to not-for-profit charitable organizations.

Contracts

• Manages customer service; creates associated practices & procedures & metrics to measure success. Assesses customer needs and expectations and adapts services and communications to individualized situations, often resolving problems before they escalate.
• Lead approver of FFRA system access set up and annual audit of access
• Manages McCormick's >$25k agreement pre-review process.

Dean's Office Approver

• Serve as Deans' Office approver of policy exceptions School-level approver for non-sponsored reimbursements with policy exceptions and 90-day exception cases that require dean's office approval in compliance with NU and McCormick policy and guidelines. Collaborates with the AFF&P leadership and McCormick Research Administration office to apply consistent practices and reviews. Approves contracted services forms, direct payment requests and other documents. Serves as Level 1, 2, 3 reviewer and workflow approver for expense reports in NUFinancials, depending on the unit, and other transactions as needed.

Strategic Planning

• Identifies operational best practices from across the school/other schools that can be widely adopted. Identifies processes and procedures that can be standardized to optimize operational productivity and enable training and knowledge sharing.
• Analyzes data & recommends & implements changes & improvement to better ensure attainment of mission.
• Develop standards of operations, systems best practices and stakeholder buy-in.
• Serves as lead point of contact for NU Financials system use and training of school users.
• Determines & recommends policies and processes to align with strategic mission.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, local & NU laws, regulations, policies & procedures.
• Oversees creation &/or implementation of associated training as appropriate.
• As subject matter expert for all procurement and reimbursement related policies, provide staff training, respond to inquiries, and collaborate with McCormick managers to ensure consistent understanding and application of all policies.
• Represents McCormick in various committees, as needed.

Supervises

• Supervises 2 staff
• Oversees recruitment & selection process for assigned staff; Performance Excellence plan for each employee and appropriate training.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 4 years program management and/or financial administration or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Demonstrated proficiency in Excel including pivot tables, macros, etc.
• Experience with financial transactions, budgeting, related financial knowledge.
• Aptitude and interest in analysis of data
• Effective written and verbal skills including management reports, Power Point, etc.
• Keen attention to detail, accuracy, numerical integrity.
• Ability to multi-task
• Strong commitment to customer service
• Self-starter who collaborates with ease and effectiveness

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Previous administrative and/or financial experience in higher education.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Advanced Excel skills
• Advanced knowledge of Smartsheets
• Experience with databases, Power BI
• Experience with Project Management and associated methodologies
• Excellent written communication skills.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $70,017-$86,900 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.