Education FinOps Strategy Manager

Huron Consulting Group Inc.; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 140,000 - 222,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Annual incentive compensation

Wellness programs

Job summary

Huron Consulting Group Inc. seeks a Consulting Manager for Education Research within Fin Ops to guide higher education clients through interim finance leadership, process improvement, and strategic system transitions.

You’ll mentor staff, deliver rigorous financial reporting, and partner with university leaders to optimize resources and outcomes. Travel up to 50% may be required; the role combines deep accounting expertise with advisory impact in a dynamic, client-focused environment.

Qualifications

• U.S. work authorization required.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or related field from an accredited college or university, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• MBA or advanced degree in accounting or finance highly preferred.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license preferred.
• Significant experience in accounting and finance roles within a consulting and/or higher education environment.
• Strong experience serving in a Program Controller, Accountant, Auditor, Assurance, or Financial Reporting capacity.
• Demonstrate experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial management.
• Hands-on experience with financial systems such as Ellucian/Banner, Oracle, Workday, or similar platforms.
• Passion for and commitment to the higher education industry.
• Ability to travel up to 50% annually and work extended hours as needed to meet client and project demands.

Responsibilities

• Serve in interim leadership and senior individual contributor roles for higher education institutions.
• Act as a subject matter expert in accounting and budget with strong understanding of university operations, governance, and regulatory considerations.
• Lead the resolution of complex financial reporting issues and respond to financial inquiries by performing detailed analysis within general ledger and financial reporting systems.
• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and persistence in identifying root causes of accounting or reporting issues, reconciling data, and improving processes.
• Develop project plans to address client challenges and maintain project momentum for the entire project team.
• Train, mentor, and supervise client staff and Huron engagement team members, including junior resources staffed as projects expand.
• Perform and/or oversee day-to-day accounting operations including close processes, reconciliations, budget support, and financial reporting.
• Leverage audit experience to support external audit coordination, respond to auditor inquiries, and strengthen internal controls.
• Contribute experience from finance system implementations or transitions, including supporting end users through system changes and data validation.
• Present financial information, findings, and recommendations to senior administrators and executives, articulating both detailed analysis and broader strategic implications.
• Deliver strong verbal and written communications on project work that is clear, concise, and easily understood by non-technical individuals.
• Collaborate with FinOps and broader Huron teams to identify opportunities for expanded support as interim engagements evolve.

Skills

Accounting

Finance

Budgeting

Forecasting

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or related field

MBA or other advanced degree preferred

Tools

Ellucian/Banner

Oracle

Workday

Job description

Huron Consulting Group Inc. seeks a Consulting Manager for Education Research within Fin Ops to guide higher education clients through interim finance leadership, process improvement, and strategic system transitions.

You’ll mentor staff, deliver rigorous financial reporting, and partner with university leaders to optimize resources and outcomes. Travel up to 50% may be required; the role combines deep accounting expertise with advisory impact in a dynamic, client-focused environment.