Financial Analyst 2

Stanford University; Redwood City (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford University’s Land, Buildings & Real Estate (LBRE) is seeking a financial analyst for the FP&A team. You will conduct financial planning and analysis for multiple LBRE departments, developing budgets, mid-year reforecasts, and capital plans, and presenting insights to stakeholders.

You will apply strong analytical skills, excellent communication, and the ability to learn new financial systems (Oracle, Adaptive Planning) with opportunities to leverage AI tools for smarter decision-making.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of financial systems and aptitude to learn new systems
• Strong verbal and written communication, and presentation skills
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to work independently and as a team player
• Proven ability to perform with a high degree of accuracy under tight deadlines and ability to effectively multitask.

Responsibilities

• Financial planning and analysis for various LBRE departments; develop detailed annual budget, full-mid-year reforecast, capital plan, critically investigate and write up informative variance explanations. Present high level summary of recommendations to stakeholders.
• Interpret, implement and ensure compliance with university policies and procedures (particularly as related to service centers and various fund types).
• Perform and design ad hoc analyses of large complex data sets. Reconcile multiple complex clearing accounts.
• Develop reports and presentations of complex financial data and metrics for management and third parties.
• Participate in critical analysis of existing systems and processes, and identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Identify and resolve unique issues with substantial significance; recognize exceptions.
• Participate in developing solutions that may require policy changes or the development of new processes; maintain broader organizational perspective in decision making.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Strong communication skills

Storytelling with data

Ability to learn new systems

Team player

Education

MBA or CPA

Tools

Oracle systems

Adaptive Planning

AI tools

Job description

Welcome to Land, Buildings & Real Estate:

Land, Buildings & Real Estate (LBRE) is the operational core of Stanford University’s physical campus. LBRE constructs and maintains the Stanford campus, where advancements across the academic spectrum are made possible. Our work is founded upon the collective value of dedication, innovation, expertise, teamwork, and continuous improvement. We are committed to serving the university’s academic mission, as well as preserving and enhancing Stanford’s 8,180 acres, and pride ourselves on supporting the teaching and research of the university as “Caretakers of a Legacy.”

Who we are:

Finance & Administration (F&A) provides the foundation for Land, Buildings & Real Estate (LBRE) operations including budgets, capital funding coordination and documentation, information technology systems, authority and approvals, internal controls, compliance, accounting and reporting and human resources for LBRE. We are the liaison with other university financial departments, Research Administration, Human Resources, the Cabinet and Board of Trustees.

Within F&A is the Finance for Operations group, which is comprised of three teams: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Finance Operations (FinOps) and Finance P2P. This position is part of the FP&A team.

Who you are:

You have a passion for all things math, systems and business. You realized that Finance perfectly blends these together and this is why you pursued a career in Finance! You are also a financial analyst who is highly analytical and communicates effectively with anyone within an organization. You possess strong interpersonal communication skills both written and verbal.

You have a proven track record of using analysis to influence decision-making, and can successfully articulate insights and outcomes to executives and peers. That means that you can take financial data and translate that into a story that is understandable for our non-technical staff and leave the financial jargon out of it when necessary.

You are more than comfortable with technology, both financial systems and non-financial systems. Experience with Adaptive Planning is a plus but not required, you’re a fast learner who can quickly pick up new tools and operate independently with minimal supervision. You embrace technology, recognizing its value as a powerful complement to financial analysis. You’re also open to leveraging emerging tools, including AI, to enhance efficiency, uncover insights, and drive smarter decision-making.

You like to share your knowledge with others because you thrive in a collaborative environment. While you may be new to a role or even new to using a system, once you learn it, you enjoy sharing that knowledge with team members.

You are meticulously detail oriented, insatiably curious, and full of integrity.

Who will you support:

There are many departments at LBRE, your primary focus will be on, but not limited to, Sustainability, Utilities, and Infrastructure, and Facilities Operations.

In addition to Core Duties, what work will you do**:

• Financial planning and analysis for various LBRE departments; develop detailed annual budget, full-mid-year reforecast, capital plan, critically investigate and write up informative variance explanations. Present high level summary of recommendations to stakeholders.
• Interpret, implement and ensure compliance with university policies and procedures (particularly as related to service centers and various fund types).
• Perform and design ad hoc analyses of large complex data sets. Reconcile multiple complex clearing accounts.
• Develop reports and presentations of complex financial data and metrics for management and third parties.
• Participate in critical analysis of existing systems and processes, and identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Identify and resolve unique issues with substantial significance; recognize exceptions.
• Participate in developing solutions that may require policy changes or the development of new processes; maintain broader organizational perspective in decision making.

**Additional duties as applicable to the role

What we are looking for:

• Demonstrated knowledge of financial systems and aptitude to learn new systems
• Strong verbal and written communication, and presentation skills
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to work independently and as a team player
• Proven ability to perform with a high degree of accuracy under tight deadlines and ability to effectively multitask.

Preferred but not required:

• Proficiency with Oracle systems in general
• Proficiency with Adaptive Planning
• MBA or CPA