Finance Manager

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Regents Tuition Benefit Program

Employee wellbeing program

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking a Finance Manager for the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota.

This role involves leading a team of accountants, managing budget workflows, and ensuring compliance with university standards. Candidates should have extensive experience in finance and accounting, along with strong leadership and relationship management skills.

The position offers a competitive salary range of $95,000 – $108,000, including a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• At least six years of professional accounting/finance experience.
• Experience supervising or leading a team of professional accountants.
• Experience with financial reporting and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Oversee hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluations for a team of accountants.
• Coordinate financial workflows and ensure compliance.
• Build and maintain proactive partnerships with key unit leadership.

Skills

Relationship management

Team leadership

Financial reporting

Microsoft Office Suite

Google Suite

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field

Job description

About the Job

The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) is the largest collegiate unit of the University of Minnesota. The Fiscal Administration department—spanning accounting, budget, foundation, grants, and space management—serves as the centralized resource‑management hub for 48 academic departments, centers, institutes, and administrative units. The Financial Services Cluster comprises 17 accountants across two teams, each led by a Finance Manager.

This position reports to the Assistant Director of Financial Services and directly supervises 7–9 professional accountants. The Finance Manager ensures effective team operations, deadline adherence, and compliance with University Policy and CLA Standards while fostering strong financial partnerships with the units they serve.

Note: this position is not eligible for H‑1B or Green Card sponsorship and does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Primary Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Supervision (60%)

• Talent Development: Oversee hiring, onboarding, performance evaluations, and career development for a team of 7–9 accountants.
• Team Culture: Foster an equitable, collaborative, and high‑performing work environment.
• Performance Management: Set goals systematically and provide continuous feedback aligned with organizational objectives.
• Operational Continuity: Maintain strategic redundancy and backup coverage for complex workflows.
• Training & Curriculum: Partner with the Associate Director to define training needs and develop team curriculum.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and sustain proactive partnerships with key unit leadership across the team's portfolio.

Financial Management & Budget Oversight (25%)

• Workflow Management: Delegate assignments and manage team capacity to ensure timely, high‑quality service.
• Fiscal Oversight: Coordinate financial workflows including budget entry, payroll, encumbrance management, accounts receivable, scholarship administration, and fund usage.
• Compliance & Audit: Conduct systematic and random audits of standard and high‑risk transactions to ensure adherence to University and College standards.
• Revenue & Expense Management: Oversee revenue sources and expenditures across all funding types, ensuring consistent application of restrictions and timely use management.

Sponsored Project Oversight (10%)

• Grants Administration: Partner with Pre‑ and Post‑Award Grants Coordinators on effort certification, reporting, proposal budget review, projections, no‑cost extensions (NCE), and close‑out.
• Technical Authority: Serve as backup Certified Approver.

Policy, Compliance & Special Projects (5%)

• Represent the College on University‑level committees and workgroups.
• Maintain current knowledge of University and College policies; pursue ongoing technical training.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field plus at least six years of professional accounting/finance experience.
• Experience supervising or leading a team of professional accountants.
• Six years of progressive responsibility in finance or accounting.
• Experience with financial reporting and analysis.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel) and Google Suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent relationship management and partnership‑building skills.
• Proven ability to build and sustain a positive, collaborative, and high‑performing team environment.
• Success managing teams in‑person and/or remotely.
• Strong training development and presentation skills.
• Experience managing complex workflows across accounting, payroll, and grants.
• External grant/contract management experience (business, industry, state, and federal awards).
• U of M Certified Approver status, or ability to obtain within 12 months.
• Effective communicator across disciplines and organizational levels.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize competing demands.
• Skilled at facilitating conflict resolution and fostering mutual understanding.

Training and demonstrated proficiency are required for access to University financial, payroll, and HR systems.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $95,000 – $108,000 (dependent on education, qualifications, and experience).

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment.

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off.
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree‑seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program.
• Low‑cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans.
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• University HSA contributions.
• Disability and employer‑paid life insurance.
• Employee wellbeing program.
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunity.
• Financial counseling services.
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost.
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area.

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.