Finance Manager

Arizona State University; United States; Hybrid; USD 86,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The McCain Institute at Arizona State University is seeking an experienced Financial Manager to oversee budgeting, forecasting, analysis, reporting, and grant administration for a complex philanthropic funding portfolio. The role includes procurement oversight, policy development, and financial controls to support decision-making.

Based in Washington, DC, the position offers a hybrid work arrangement and requires strong leadership, compliance knowledge, and advanced Excel skills to deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with seven years of relevant experience, including two years in a managerial role.
• Experience in financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting across multiple programs and funding sources.
• Experience administering grants and donor-funded or government-funded awards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, analysis, and reporting across multiple programs and funding sources.
• Monitor budgets, salary projections, and labor allocations; ensure proper funding sources and compliance.
• Manage procurement oversight, transaction approvals, and vendor payments per policy.
• Coordinate post-award financial administration for sponsored projects and donor-funded awards.
• Develop and improve fiscal policies, controls, and reporting tools for accuracy and transparency.
• Supervise finance staff and collaborate with institute leadership and program teams.

Skills

Financial management

Budgeting

Forecasting

Reporting

Leadership

Grants management

Procurement oversight

Compliance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

ASU financial systems

Job description

Job Profile:

Finance Manager 3

Job Family:

Budget, Planning and Financial Analysis

Time Type:

Full time

Apply before 11:59 PM Arizona time the day before the posted End Date.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and seven (7) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field including two (2) years managerial experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Job Profile Summary:

Manages multiple finance functional areas and participates in complex financial operations, forecasting, planning, budgeting analysis and reporting to ensure accuracy of financial transactions and reports. Recommends and implements fiscal policies and advises in development of processes to compliant reporting.

Position Salary Range:

$85,700 - $110,000, per year; DOE

Job Description:

The McCain Institute is a nonpartisan organization inspired by Senator John McCain and his family’s dedication to public service. We are part of Arizona State University and based in Washington, D.C. Our programs defend democracy, advance human rights, and empower character-driven leaders. Our unique power to convene leaders across the global political spectrum enables us to make a real impact on the world’s most pressing challenges. Our goal is action, not talk, and like Senator McCain, we are fighting to create a free, safe, and just world for all.

The McCain Institute at Arizona State University is seeking an experienced Financial Manager to oversee and manage the Institute’s financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, analysis, reporting, reconciliations, transaction approval, procurement oversight, and the financial administration of grants, gifts, and other restricted funding.

This role supports a complex funding portfolio composed primarily of philanthropic funding, private grants, donor-restricted funds, and Department of State grants. The Financial Manager provides the financial planning, analysis, controls, and guidance needed to support the Institute's decision-making and ensure compliance with ASU policies, funding agreements, donor requirements, and applicable federal regulations.

This position is based in Washington, DC, and is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

Essential Duties:

Budgeting, Reconciliation, and Reporting

• Develop, maintain, and monitor annual and multiyear budgets across multiple programs and funding sources including gift and other philanthropic funding requests.
• Monitor position budgets, salary projections, and labor allocations to ensure personnel costs are accurately budgeted and charged to appropriate funding sources.
• Monitor philanthropic funding, restricted gifts, and donor-designated funds to ensure expenditures align with budgets, funding restrictions and applicable requirements.
• Conduct periodic and fiscal year-end reconciliations and ensure financial activity is accurately recorded, appropriately supported, and aligned with approved transactions.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc financial reports for Institute leadership, program teams, donors, grantors, and other stakeholders.

Transaction Approval and Procurement Oversight

• Review and approve procurement requests, travel and expense transactions, vendor payments, and other financial transactions across applicable ASU and Institute platforms, in accordance with delegated authority.
• Evaluate transactions for budget availability, appropriate funding source, required documentation, business purpose, and policy compliance.

Grant Administration

• Assist Research Administration Services and program teams with proposal budgets, grant applications, budget narratives, and financial planning for sponsored-funding opportunities.
• Manage the post-award financial administration of Department of State and other sponsored awards, including budget monitoring, allowable cost review, reporting support, compliance tracking, and coordination with program teams and ASU grant offices.

Financial Systems, Compliance, and Process Improvement

• Ensure financial activities comply with ASU policies, donor and grant agreements, federal award requirements, and applicable financial regulations.
• Support grant reviews, donor reporting, and internal financial reviews by preparing documentation, responding to financial inquiries, and coordinating corrective actions.
• Develop and improve McCain Institute fiscal policies, financial processes, internal controls, reporting tools, and tracking systems to increase accuracy, transparency, consistency, and efficiency.
• Establish and maintain procedures, documentation standards, and timelines for financial planning, transaction processing, reconciliation, and reporting.

Leadership, Supervision, and Financial Partnership

• Supervise and develop assigned finance staff, establish work priorities, review work for accuracy and timeliness, and ensure appropriate separation of financial duties.
• Partner with Institute leadership and program teams and relevant ASU financial, grants management, advancement, procurement, and administrative offices to provide actionable financial guidance and coordinate the timely resolution or escalation of financial, transaction, funding, and compliance matters.

Desired Qualifications:

• Progressively responsible experience in financial management, budgeting, accounting, grants management, or related finance functions.
• Experience developing, managing, and forecasting complex budgets across multiple programs and funding sources.
• Experience with post-award financial administration, including budget monitoring, financial reporting, allowable cost-review, compliance, and documentation requirements.
• Experience managing philanthropic funding, restricted gifts, private grants, federal awards, or other restricted funding.
• Knowledge of financial reconciliations, internal controls, procurement processes, and financial policy compliance.
• Experience supervising staff, establishing work priorities, and reviewing work for accuracy and timeliness.
• Ability to analyze financial ion and communicate findings, risks, and recommendations clearly to both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Proficiency with Excel and financial management, reporting, and transaction processing systems.
• Demonstrated organizational, communication, problem-solving, and relationship-management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Experience working in a university, nonprofit, foundation-funded, international affairs, public policy, or grant-funded organization.
• Experience administering Department of State or other U.S. government-funded awards.
• Familiarity with ASU financial systems, policies, and procedures.
• Experience managing a portfolio that includes both philanthropic funding and sponsored awards.
• Experience preparing financial reports for donors, grantors, executives, or boards.
• Experience supporting strategic financial planning across programs or departments.
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, complex formulas, forecasting models, and financial dashboards.
• MBA, MPA, CRA, or related advanced degree or professional certification.

Working Environment:

• Climate-controlled office setting subject to extended periods of being in a stationary position.
• Regular use of standard office equipment including but not limited to: computer workstation/laptop (keyboard, monitor, mouse), printer, fax, calculator, copier, telephone, and associated computer/technology peripherals.
• Occasionally move items weighing up to 20 pounds.
• This position is based in Washington, DC, and is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

Department Statement:

At McCain Institute, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway. We value your unique background and perspective, and you may be just the right candidate for this position or other roles on our team.

Driving Requirement:

Driving is not required for this position.

Location:

Off-Campus: Washington, D. C.

Funding:

No Federal Funding

ASU Statement:

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions inclusive excellence, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf . You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.

Relocation Assistance – For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/az-resources .

ASU’s comprehensive benefits package is a key part of your total compensation. Visit the ASU Compensation Estimator

Employment Verification Statement:

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

Background Check Statement:

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

Fingerprint Check Statement:

This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.