Financial Manager

Brown University; Providence (RI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown University in Providence seeks a Financial Manager for the Data Science Institute (DSI) to oversee financial administration of DSI and its centers, shaping budgeting, forecasting, and grant management in a research‑intense environment.

The ideal candidate combines strong accounting skills with strategic advisory experience, partners across departments, and mentors staff while ensuring compliance and reporting excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus 5–7 years of financial and budget experience.
• Direct experience in financial management including budget management, reporting, financial modeling, financial analysis, policy implementation and research administration.
• Experience managing staff and grant accounting.
• Experience using COEUS or similar database preferred.
• Proven accounting skills with the ability to analyze and reconcile accounts.
• Workday experience preferred (e.g., Worktags, Ledger/Journal Entries, Budget cycles, Expense Report, Procurement, and Financial Close).

Responsibilities

• Strategic budgetary/financial planning and analysis, risk management, grant portfolio oversight, purchasing oversight, account management, salary reallocations and costings, financial forecasting for multiple, complex budgets and revenue‑generating programs.
• Full grant management for a complex portfolio of external and internal awards, pre‑ and post‑award management, subcontract administration and financial analysis.
• Administrative and financial liaison, responsible for communications and reporting between the Institute and partnering administrative and academic units, sponsoring agencies and other collaborating organizations.
• Providing financial training and guidance.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budgeting & forecasting

Grant accounting

Staff management

COEUS

Workday

Excel data manipulation

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

COEUS

Workday

Ledger/Journal Entries

Job description

About Brown

Brown University is a leading research university distinct for its student‑centered learning and deep sense of purpose. Our students, faculty and staff are driven by the idea that their work will have an impact in the world.

About the Opportunity

The Data Science Institute (DSI) is a high‑visibility campus hub that partners with multiple departments and other units at Brown to support interdisciplinary data science education and research throughout campus. The institute also houses two research centers, the Center for Computational Molecular Biology and the Center for Technological Responsibility, Reimagination and Redesign. The Financial Manager will work closely with staff and faculty in DSI to administer several undergraduate and graduate academic programs as well as a range of research activities.

Responsibilities

The Financial Manager independently manages and provides strategic advice for all matters pertaining to financial administration of the Data Science Institute and its subsidiary centers.

• Strategic budgetary/financial planning and analysis, risk management, grant portfolio oversight, purchasing oversight, account management, salary reallocations and costings, financial forecasting for multiple, complex budgets and revenue‑generating programs.
• Full grant management for a complex portfolio of external and internal awards, pre‑ and post‑award management, subcontract administration and financial analysis.
• Administrative and financial liaison, responsible for communications and reporting between the Institute and partnering administrative and academic units, sponsoring agencies and other collaborating organizations.
• Providing financial training and guidance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required plus 5 to 7 years of financial and budget experience, preferably in an academic setting or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Direct experience in financial management, including budget management, reporting, financial modeling, financial analysis, policy implementation and research administration.
• Experience with managing staff and grant accounting required.
• Experience using the COEUS or similar database preferred.
• Proven accounting skills are required including the ability to analyze and reconcile accounts.
• Workday experience preferred (e.g., Worktags, Ledger/Journal Entries, Budget cycles, Expense Report, Procurement, and Financial Close).

Job Competencies

• Excellent financial analytical ability.
• Willingness and interest in assuming increasing levels of responsibilities, networking, leadership and training opportunities.
• Highly proficient in Excel applications and data manipulation.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) to elicit and disperse information, to present data and communications in a clear and concise manner.
• Strong organizational, administrative, time‑management and critical‑thinking skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines in a multi‑faceted work environment.
• Ability to work well within a team; flexible, service‑oriented and resourceful.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload in a multi‑tasking environment while maintaining careful attention to detail.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Salary Grade: 10

Applicants are asked to include a cover letter and resume. All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance and maintains affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.