Financial Data Analyst

University of Michigan; Michigan; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Michigan seeks a Financial Data Analyst to provide data-driven insights and lead financial aid and gift fund planning. The role involves financial modeling, forecasting, and coordinating workflows across Student Affairs, Finance, Development, HR, and Graduate Student Affairs.

Reporting to the Director of Analytics and IT, you will create financial plans, forecasts, and dashboards with BI tools, while adapting to evolving priorities in a newly created role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Admin, Data Analytics, Economics, or related field.
• 2+ years in data analysis, financial modeling, or analytical roles.
• Experience creating financial forecasts, budgets, and long-term models.
• Advanced proficiency with spreadsheets to manipulate large datasets and build models.
• Experience with BI tools like Business Objects, Tableau or Google Data Studio.
• Experience coordinating admin processes and driving workflow improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial aid planning and disbursement processes, ensuring deadlines and accuracy.
• Forecast annual aid spending and support budget development.
• Collaborate with multiple departments to allocate and manage aid funding.
• Conduct budget-to-actual variance analysis and recommend adjustments.
• Manage pooled budgets and adapt plans to funding changes.
• Fulfill data requests and perform ad hoc analysis for decisions.
• Develop dashboards and reports using BI tools and Google Data Studio.
• Serve as BI resource for Finance and partner departments; ensure data integrity.
• Build self-service reports, guides, templates, and checklists.
• Improve workflows using Google Workspace, Wrike, Asana, or TeamDynamix.

Skills

Data analysis

Financial modeling

Business operations

Advanced Excel

Pivot tables

VLOOKUP

Analytical storytelling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Data Analytics, Economics, or related field

Tools

Business Objects

Tableau

Google Data Studio

Job description

Job Summary

The primary function of this Financial Data Analyst position is to provide data-driven insights and process leadership for complex initiatives. While the primary focus is financial aid and gift fund planning, you will also support other operational workflows requiring heavy data compilation, financial modeling, and strategic coordination. Reporting to the Director of Analytics and IT, you will leverage your analytical background to create financial plans, forecasts, budgets, coordinate process execution, and improve workflows. As a newly created role, this position offers an exciting opportunity to help define and shape an important area of work. The responsibilities may evolve over time as priorities develop, making this an ideal opportunity for someone who is adaptable, innovative, and eager to contribute to something new. A link to the full job description can be found here.

Responsibilities

• Lead the financial aid planning and disbursement process, ensuring deadlines are met and awards are processed accurately and efficiently.


• Monitor scholarship fund balances, forecast annual aid spending, and support financial aid budget development.


• Collaborate with Student Affairs, Finance, Development, HR, and Graduate Student Affairs to allocate, document, and manage aid funding.


• Conduct budget-to-actual variance analysis, investigate discrepancies, and recommend adjustments.


• Manage pooled operational budgets and adapt plans based on funding or strategic changes.


• Fulfill complex data requests and conduct ad hoc analysis to support decision-making and benchmarking.


• Develop dashboards, scheduled reports, and visualizations using tools such as BusinessObjects, Tableau, and Google Data Studio.


• Serve as a business intelligence resource for Finance and partner departments, supporting data integrity and standardized reporting.


• Build self-service reporting resources, technical guides, process documentation, templates, and operational checklists.


• Improve workflows and team efficiency using tools such as Google Workspace, Wrike, Asana, or TeamDynamix.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Data Analytics, Economics, or a related field, with an understanding of financial and analytical principles.


• 2+ years of professional experience in data analysis, financial modeling, business operations, or a related analytical role.


• Experience creating financial forecasts, budgets, and long-term models.


• Advanced proficiency in using spreadsheet software (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets) to manipulate large datasets, vlookup, create pivot tables, build financial models, and analyze complex data.


• Experience using reporting or Business Intelligence tools (e.g., Business Objects, Tableau, Google Data Studio or similar tools).


• Experience coordinating administrative processes, managing project timelines, or driving workflow improvements.