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

Brookings Institution; Washington (Washington County); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Generous time off

Workplace flexibility

Job summary

The Brookings Institution is seeking a Finance Manager to serve as the primary financial partner for the Economic Studies portfolio. You will handle financial planning, forecasting, grant and project financial management, and decision support in collaboration with multiple institutional functions.

In this role you will oversee budgets and forecasts, manage grant funding, and provide reporting to leadership, while supporting improvements in financial controls and processes in a hybrid Washington,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; some business courses in accounting, finance, economics, or related field preferred.
• Minimum four years of related financial or administrative experience; nonprofit or research setting preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills; able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience with financial planning, forecasting, grants management, and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial management of projects within assigned portfolio, coordinating with senior staff.
• Prepare budgets and forecasts; monitor obligations, expenditures, and revenue.
• Manage grants and gifts, coordinate narrative and financial reports to funders.
• Administer cost allocations, reconciliations, and monthly expense reporting.
• Collaborate across Finance, Development, HR, Legal and other units to ensure controls and compliance.

Skills

Attention to detail

Administrative coordination

Communication skills

Financial modeling

Budgeting

Independent work

Cross-team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Workday

Adaptive Planning

Microsoft Office

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

• medical
• dental
• vision benefits
• generous time off
• workplace flexibility

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.