Program Financial Analyst

Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy

Yuma (AZ)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 130,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) NOIRLab invites applications for a Program Financial Analyst. This role partners with program leaders to deliver comprehensive FP&A, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting in a mission-driven environment.

Responsibilities include planning, monitoring, and improving financial processes, ensuring compliance, and supporting new funding opportunities with costed budgets.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or equivalent.
4+ years of experience in FP&A or similar roles.
Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary financial partner to program and service leadership and budget managers.
Provide end-to-end financial planning, analysis, and decision-support services.
Develop and maintain dashboards to monitor financial health and risks.
Lead annual operating plan processes and external NSF reporting.
Produce in-year and multi-year forecasts and EACs.
Support proposals with compliant, fully costed budgets.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal communication

ERP systems

Advanced Excel

Financial modeling

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration

Tools

Deltek Costpoint

Cognos BI

SQL

Access

Business Objects

SAP

Oracle

Sage

Job description

The Program Financial Analyst (PFA) reports to the Associate Director of Administration and is a key member of NOIRLab’s Management Support Services (MSS) organization. MSS includes the Portfolio Management Office (PMO), Finance, Document Management, and other shared business services. NOIRLab is a complex, matrixed organization with an annual budget of approximately $116M, executed across five Programs and four Service areas. The PFA serves as the primary financial partner for assigned Program(s) and/or Service(s), providing end‑to‑end financial planning, analysis, reporting, and compliance support. This is a mid‑level, high‑impact role for a hands‑on financial analyst who enjoys partnering with leadership, translating technical financial data into insights, and supporting data‑driven decision‑making in a mission‑driven, scientific research environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT & BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP

Serve as the primary financial partner to Program and/or Service leadership and budget managers.
Provide tailored, end‑to‑end financial planning, analysis, and decision‑support services.
Develop and maintain metrics and dashboards to monitor financial health, trends, and risks.

BUDGET DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING

Lead financial support for assigned Program(s)/Service(s) during the annual Program Operating Plan (POP) process.
Support preparation of quarterly and annual external financial reports to the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Partner with budget managers and AURA Central Administrative Services (CAS) to develop bottom‑up budgets using appropriate methodologies (e.g., earned value where applicable).

FORECASTING & WORKFORCE PLANNING

Produce recurring in‑year and multi‑year forecasts, rolling budgets, and estimates at completion (EAC).
Maintain workforce plans, hiring assumptions, and detailed staffing changes to support quarterly forecasting and reporting.
Incorporate scope changes, updated cost data, and evolving assumptions into forecasts.

PROPOSAL & NEW FUNDING SUPPORT

Collaborate with stakeholders to develop compliant, realistic budgets for new funding opportunities and proposals.
Translate technical scope into fully costed labor and non‑labor budgets.
- Develop bases of estimate and provide financial guidance through proposal submission.

FINANCIAL ANALYSIS & REPORTING

Analyze budget vs. actual variances, funding availability, and financial risks.
Identify and recommend corrective actions and mitigation strategies.
Design and implement new financial reports and analyses in response to emerging needs.
Partner with CAS and external experts to develop analytical tools and improve reporting capabilities.

COMPLIANCE & INTERNAL CONTROLS

Support NOIRLab’s internal controls and ensure compliance with:
NOIRLab policies and procedures
AURA policies
Contractual and award requirements

* Advise managers on applicability of:

OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200)
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)
Contribute to continuous improvement of NOIRLab’s financial planning,

analysis, and control processes.

COLLABORATION & ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT

Work closely with other PFAs, the NOIRLab Finance team, PMO, Management Team, and CAS.
Support cross‑functional initiatives and organizational financial coherence.

REQUIREMENTS EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or equivalent relevant experience.
4+ years of experience in Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) or a similar role.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Deltek Costpoint, Oracle, Sage, or similar).
Advanced Excel skills and experience working with large, complex data sets.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Strong analytical and critical‑thinking skills.
Exceptional attention to detail.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to partner across all levels.
Demonstrated curiosity, adaptability, and interest in improving and streamlining processes.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree (MBA or similar) or professional financial certification.

* Experience with:

Deltek Costpoint and Cognos BI
Business intelligence and data tools (Access, SQL, Business Objects)
Background in federally sponsored research, non‑profit, or government contract environments.

* Familiarity with: