Finance & Programs Operations Lead (Higher Ed)

University of Massachusetts Boston; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Massachusetts Boston seeks a Finance and Program Operations Manager to deliver professional financial, budgetary, and operational support across the College of Science and Mathematics.

You will coordinate day-to-day financial activities, assist with annual budget development, forecasting, and reporting, and collaborate with the ADAF and department leaders to ensure compliance and timely financial stewardship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, higher education administration, or related field.
• 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, budget administration, accounting, or fiscal operations, preferably in a higher education.
• Demonstrated experience with budget monitoring, financial reconciliation, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Strong analytical, quantitative, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and demonstrated ability to work effectively with enterprise financial and administrative systems.
• Ability to analyze complex financial information, identify discrepancies, and communicate financial information effectively to both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently with sound judgment in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with individuals at multiple organizational levels.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential financial and personnel information with discretion and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage the day-to-day financial activities of the College of Science and Mathematics, including budget monitoring, purchasing, reimbursements, journal entries, transfers, and other financial transactions.
• Assist and advise the Assistant Dean for Administration & Finance with annual budget development, financial planning, forecasting, resource allocation, and preparation of statistical and financial reports.
• Monitor and report on revenue, expenditures, and available balances for the Dean's Office and six academic departments; identify budget variances and potential funding issues and bring them to the attention of the ADAF.
• Prepare regular and ad hoc financial reports, projections, reconciliations, and analyses for the ADAF, Dean, department chairs, and other College leadership.
• Track and reconcile operating, payroll, gift, endowment, gifts, RTF, and start-up accounts to support effective financial management and planning.
• Monitor endowed and gift accounts to support appropriate use of funds consistent with donor restrictions and University requirements.
• Monitor faculty start-up accounts and commitments, including maintaining multi-year spending plans and tracking available funding and expenditures.
• Maintain financial tracking systems for faculty course buyouts, and other College commitments.
• Monitor personnel expenditures for faculty, staff, graduate assistants, and student employees; assist with salary projections, position funding, and payroll reconciliation.
• Coordinate and support the College's graduate assistantship and fellowship financial administration, including funding allocations, roster reconciliation, payroll monitoring, and related financial reporting.
• Review financial transactions for accuracy, appropriate funding, supporting documentation, and compliance with University requirements; identify discrepancies and initiate or coordinate timely corrections.
• Coordinate year-end financial activities for the College, including account review, reconciliation, expenditure monitoring, and preparation for fiscal year close.
• Provide guidance and support to department chairs, faculty, Administrative Managers, and staff regarding budgets, allowable expenditures, account balances, and University financial policies and procedures.
• Provide guidance and training on University financial systems and processes, including Summit, BuyWays, Concur, HR Direct, and related administrative systems.
• Assist with purchasing, travel, reimbursement, and other fiscal processes and serve as a resource for resolving complex financial and operational issues.
• Work collaboratively with departmental Administrative Managers and research administration staff to monitor research-related and restricted accounts and resolve financial issues involving sponsored and non-sponsored activities.
• Assist in developing and maintaining standardized financial procedures, templates, reports, tracking tools, and internal controls to promote consistency, accuracy, efficiency, and accountability throughout the College.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial and administrative processes and recommend solutions to the ADAF that strengthen internal controls, streamline workflows, and improve service to faculty and departments.
• Provide financial and operational support during peak workload periods, fiscal year close, staff absences, and departmental transitions as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Budget monitoring

Financial reconciliation

Forecasting

Financial reporting

Analytical skills

Excel

Communication

Cross-department coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

Master's degree in business administration / finance

Tools

PeopleSoft

Summit

BuyWays

Concur

HR Direct

Job description

University of Massachusetts Boston seeks a Finance and Program Operations Manager to deliver professional financial, budgetary, and operational support across the College of Science and Mathematics.

You will coordinate day-to-day financial activities, assist with annual budget development, forecasting, and reporting, and collaborate with the ADAF and department leaders to ensure compliance and timely financial stewardship.