Public Sector - Higher Education Consultant

Alvarez & Marsal Deutschland GmbH; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare plans

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Discretionary bonus program

Job summary

Alvarez & Marsal Deutschland GmbH is seeking a senior financial management consultant focused on education finance and sustainability within the Public Sector Services unit. You will engage with school districts and education agencies to forecast, plan, and optimize budgets while delivering strategic financial analyses.

Responsibilities include leading project workstreams, developing financial models, and presenting findings to district leadership and external partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, education, or related field.
• Advanced degree in business administration, public administration or finance preferred but not required.
• 8-15+ years of experience in financial management or consulting, with a focus on education finance and sustainability.
• Familiarity with higher education environments, including experience with colleges or universities, and working with related stakeholders.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills; ability to clearly convey analysis in writing and speaking.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work with education institution leaders and staff.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and executing project phases and supervise others to ensure deliverables and milestones.
• Determine client needs using standard assessment tools plus innovative approaches.
• Evaluate analyses and develop client recommendations within the engagement context.
• Implement and oversee the quality of deliverables.
• Manage the team and day-to-day client relationships for high performance.
• Participate in proposals and business development activities.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in finance/accounting/business administration/public administration/education

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Excel

Oracle

SAP

PeopleSoft

Financial modeling tools

Job description

Description

Since 2003, Alvarez & Marsal Public Sector Services (PSS) has helped government, education, and non-profit clients identify new ways to overcome challenges and implement sustainable change — pioneering a progressive, pragmatic, and forward-looking approach based on our experience applying operational and financial improvement principles in the private sector to address the unique challenges facing public sector organizations. Our Public Sector Education Practice (PSE) works to help clients realize responsible and effective use of limited financial resources to drive improved life opportunities while harnessing innovative solutions to transform organizations and support the goal of student achievement.

Individually, we are finance and operations leaders with deep industry experience. Together we work to unlock the potential of students and lifelong learners by generating equitable and effective education processes, delivered with maximum efficiency, empowered by the best in human and technological innovation. With a commitment to positive social impact, we foster a vibrant, inclusive workplace of diverse voices and talents who enjoy what they do, and with whom they do it.

The ideal candidate will have experience and knowledge in many of the following areas:

• Public Sector Budgeting and Long-term financial planning
• Efficiency assessment and improvement
• Operations Analysis (transportation, maintenance, etc.)
• Workforce modeling and analysis
• Financial planning and analysis
• Financial policies, procedures, and regulations
• Treasury and working capital management
• Resource Allocation
• Experience serving in interim leadership capacities a plus
• Experience developing reports and analytics from financial management systems (Oracle, SAP, Peoplesoft, etc.)
• Full-cycle accounting and finance processes and performance improvement (i.e., Procure to Pay, Record to Report, Invoice to Cash)

This is a hybrid role spanning remote, client, and in-office work locations and requires travel.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist in the planning and execution project phases, and supervise others as necessary to ensure the following: coordinating work efforts with the client; completion of defined deliverables; adherence to project milestones and timelines; communication of progress to all parties (internal and external); and managing team members, as necessary
• Determine client needs by supplementing the standard assessment techniques and tools with innovative approaches
• Evaluate and validate analysis and develop recommendations for the client in the context of the overall engagement
• Implement and oversee the quality of deliverables
• Effectively manage the team and day-to-day relationships to ensure exceptional performance
• Participate in the development and presentation of proposals for business development activities
• Provide financial management consulting services to education institutions (school districts, LEAs SEAs, etc.), including financial analysis, forecasting, and planning
• Prepare and present financial reports to various stakeholders within education institutions, including the school board, district leadership team, external partners, etc.
• Develop and implement financial stabilization plans and strategies for education institutions in crisis or at risk of financial instability
• Develop and maintain financial models to support decision-making related to revenue projections, expense forecasting, and cash flow management
• Conduct financial assessments and risk analyses to identify potential financial issues and develop appropriate action plans
• Collaborate with education institution leaders to develop and monitor annual budgets, including revenue and expense assumptions, and adjust forecasts as needed based on changes in district priorities, economic conditions, or other factors
• Analyze financial statements and budgets to identify cost‐saving opportunities and revenue growth potential
• Analyze financial data, prepare reports, and provide recommendations to education institution leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities
• Develop and implement financial management tools and processes that enable education institutions to effectively manage their financial resources
• Monitor and analyze financial performance metrics to identify trends and potential areas of concern, and make recommendations for improvement
• Research and stay up to date on industry trends and best practices, emerging technologies related to education finance and share knowledge with district leadership and staff as appropriate
  

Qualifications/ Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, education, or related industry field
• Advanced degree in business administration, public administration or finance preferred but not required
• 8 - 15+ years of experience in financial management or consulting, with a focus on education finance and sustainability
• Demonstrated academic research experience including collecting and analyzing qualitative and/or quantitative data, and synthesizing findings for papers, presentations, or publications
• Familiarity with higher education environments, including experience working with colleges or universities, understanding academic systems, or supporting programs, policies, or stakeholders within a higher education setting
• Excellent problem‐solving and analytical skills
• Ability to clearly convey analysis in written and spoken form
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with education institution leaders and staff
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and social justice in education

The following annual base salary ranges are dependent on several variables including but not limited to education, experience, skills, and geography: Director: $150,000-$225,000; Senior Director $175,000-$275,000. In addition, A&M offers a discretionary bonus program which is based on a number of factors, including individual and firm performance.

Regular employees working 30 or more hours per week are also entitled to participate in Alvarez & Marsal Holdings’ fringe benefits consisting of healthcare plans, flexible spending and savings accounts, life, AD&D, and disability coverages at rates determined from time to time as well as a 401(k) retirement plan. Provided the eligibility requirements are met, employees will also receive a discretionary contribution to their 401(k) from Alvarez & Marsal. Additionally, employees are eligible for paid time off including vacation, personal days, seventy-two (72) hours of sick time (prorated for part time employees), ten federal holidays, one floating holiday, and parental leave. The amount of vacation and personal days available varies based on tenure and role type.