Finance Manager, Economic Studies (Job ID: 2026-3894)

Brookings Institution; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Time off

Work flexibility

Job summary

Brookings Institution in Washington, DC is seeking a Finance Manager to be the primary financial partner for the Economic Studies portfolio. You will lead budgeting, forecasting, grant and project financial management, and provide decision support to program leadership and project teams.

Collaborating across Finance, Development, HR, General Counsel, and other units, you will strengthen controls and ensure compliance while managing internal budgets in Workday and Adaptive Planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field; four years of related financial or administrative experience preferred.
• Experience in nonprofit or research settings is a plus.
• Strong budgeting, reporting, and financial modeling skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Budgeting and forecasting for a portfolio of projects; produce reports for review and decision making.
• Manage grants and gifts; coordinate financial reporting to funders.
• Oversee project expenditures, cost allocations, and monthly cost monitoring.
• Collaborate across Finance, Development, HR, Legal, and other units to ensure compliance and process improvement.

Skills

Budgeting

Financial analysis

Grant management

Forecasting

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

Tools

Workday

Adaptive Planning

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Overview

Join one of the most influential, most quoted, and most trusted think tanks!

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, D.C. Our mission is to equip decision-makers with nonpartisan research and policy strategies to create a more prosperous and secure country and world.

To advance our mission, we are committed to the following four goals:

• Develop economic growth strategies for a changing world

• Expand economic and social opportunity for all

• Revitalize U.S. democratic institutions

• Advance peace and security worldwide

At the core of our mission is the quality, independence, and impact of our research. We are dedicated to finding bold, pragmatic solutions for societal challenges through open-minded inquiry, diverse perspectives, and holding ourselves to the highest standards of scholastic rigor. Because of this, Brookings has been at the forefront of public policy for more than a century.

The Office of Financial Service (OFS)is dedicated to supporting the mission of Brookings by ensuring and enhancing its financial health and promoting financial efficiency and innovation. We accomplish this by safeguarding the institution’s assets, stewarding donor contributions and providing quality and client-driven service characterized by professionalism, integrity, reliability, transparency, accountability, expertise, and above all else – respectfulness and fairness. OFS is comprised of Accounting, Financial Planning and Management, Financial Operations and Investments.

Position Location: This position ishybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with theoptionof two days of remote work each week.

Responsibilities

Ready to contribute toBrookingssuccess?

The Finance Manager is a member of the Finance function and serves as the primary financial partner for an assigned portfolio, currently the Economic Studies program. The role provides financial planning, analysis, forecasting, grant and project financial management, and decision support to program leadership and project teams within the assigned portfolio. Working closely with colleagues across Finance, Development, Human Resources, General Counsel, and other institutional functions, the Finance Manager applies consistent financial practices, strengthens financial controls, and supports effective stewardship of program, institutional, and restricted resources.

Budget and Forecast Management (50%)

• Responsible for financial management of projects assigned to the FM’s portfolio, in consultation and coordination with senior project and Finance staff.

• Forecasts obligations, expenditures, and revenue for projects andcost centers

• Overseesallocation and use of grant funding and ensuresrevenuedistribution andcompliance with grant terms in the portfolio.

• Drafts annual budgets and forecasts for a portfolio of projects

• Provides related analyses,reportingand other materials tofacilitatethe review and decision making on financial matters related to the projects.

• Produces,coordinatesand approves financial reports at the grant,projectand/or department level (internal and external).

• Authorizes and monitors projectexpendituresand purchases.

Project & GrantManagement (25%)

• Manages grantsand giftsfor a portfolio of projects; alertsstakeholdersof any potential funding concerns or opportunities.

• Coordinates preparation of narrative and financial reports to funders.

• Serves as principal liaison for the finances and deliverables associated research projects with other research programs, Development, and Finance.

• Manages internal project budgets for portfolio usingWorkdayandAdaptive.

• Preparesbudgeting and reporting materials for further discussion and analysis as requested.

• Prepares reports, ad hoc analysis and project scenarios as needed.

• Develops proposal budgets and funding reports toassistfundraising efforts.

• Coordinates the preparation and review of project proposal budgets.

• Coordinates Federal proposalswith stakeholders

Financial Administration (15%)

• Reviewscredit card transactions,contracts,requisitions, invoices, travel expenseclaimsand other financial transactionsforbudget approvals.

• Managescost allocations.

• Monitors, onmonthlybasis, all financial costs associated with projects withinportfolioandsubmitsjournal entries as necessary for corrections.

• Produces expense reports upon request.

• Assistsand advises staff members on all institutional financial processes including conference planning, research contracts, external billing, memorandums of understanding, reimbursements, etc.

• Serves as a liaison with other Financestaff, other research programs, Development,and Legal.

• Works on ad hoc financial assignments as requested.

Collaboration and Continuous Improvement(10%)

• Applies institution-wide financial policies, planning assumptions, reporting standards, and internal controls consistently across the assigned portfolio.

• Partners with program leaders and project staff to translate financial information into clear recommendations and decision support.

• Collaborates with Finance colleagues to align portfolio forecasts with program and institution-wide financial outlooks.

• Participates in cross-functional planning, reporting, process improvement, and systems initiatives.

• Shares knowledge, documentation, and effective practices across the Finance function.

• Provides coverage or support for other portfolios during critical planning cycles or staffing transitions.

• Escalates emerging financial risks, compliance concerns, and material forecast changes through established Finance channels.

• Supports data integrity across Workday, Adaptive Planning, and related reporting tools.

Qualifications

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion,diversityand community, and bring the following qualifications:

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degreerequired; somebusiness coursesinaccounting, finance, economics, or a related fieldpreferred.Minimum offouryearsofrelated financial oradministrativeexperiencerequired; some background in research, academic, financial, or non-profit setting is preferred.

Knowledge/Skills Requirements

High levelof attention to detailrequired; strongadministrativefinancial coordinationand organizational skills; excellent oral and written communication skills;and knowledge of Microsoft Office Suiterequired.Strong problem-solving skills and customer-focused attituderequired. In-depth knowledge offinancial software applications, databases, spreadsheets,and financial modelingrequired.Budgeting experiencerequired;must have excellent organizational skills and initiative to managelogisticsof projectsindependently.Works independently, takes initiative, and manages competing priorities and deadlines with minimal oversight. Collaborates effectively across teams and functions and adapts to shifting priorities in a high-volume environment.Must be flexible and capable of working in a fast-paced environment with shifting and competing priorities. Extreme honesty and discretionrequired, with the ability to appropriately handle confidential information.

Additional Information

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings.Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous time off, and workplace flexibility. For more information, please visitBrookings Benefits.

Successful completion of a background investigation isrequiredfor employment at Brookings.

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms, including diversity of experience, thought, and personal background. We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be anequal-opportunityemployer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.All selection decisions are based upon merit, skills,abilitiesand experience.