Senior Financial Analyst

uchicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Chicago is seeking a Senior Financial Analyst in the Budget Office to provide analytic and project management support across operating budgets and long-term planning. You will work with financial managers, academic units, and university staff to ensure accuracy and timeliness in financial reporting.

The role emphasizes building complex financial models in Excel/Hyperion, supporting annual budget development, and delivering metrics that guide university-wide decision making.

Qualifications

• College or university degree in related field.
• 5–7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and financial software.

Responsibilities

• Assists in developing operating budget targets and analyzes forecasts for accuracy.
• Develops financial models and scenario analyses for budgeting and planning.
• Prepares presentations conveying financial and administrative matters to leadership.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Financial modeling

Budgeting

Hyperion

Communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or relevant field

Tools

Excel

Hyperion

Job description

Department

Provost Financial Strategy and Capital Budgeting

About the Department

Through the Budget Office, the Office of the Provost manages, administers, and implements the University's annual operating, long-term planning and capital budgets. The Budget Office also provides strategic and operational leadership in financial planning and analysis and works collaboratively with units across campus on their budgets. In addition to these core duties, the unit provides financial analysis on a wide range of subject matters including total student charges, research performance, and enrollment trends.

Job Summary

The Senior Financial Analyst will provide analytic and project management support for the University of Chicago Budget Office, which reports directly to the Provost. The Senior Financial Analyst will work collaboratively with financial managers and experts throughout the University, including academic and administrative unit financial leaders, Financial Services staff, and the University Financial Planning and Analysis group. The Senior Financial Analyst will serve as the primarily financial liaison to the Budget Office for assigned units and will be responsible for providing those units with budget development and financial management support with annual and monthly University budget processes. The Senior Financial Analyst will also support the development and integration of university-wide financial data analytics and reporting, with a focus on the development of a common set of metrics and methodologies for evaluating both University and unit-specific financial performance.

Responsibilities

• Assists in the development of operating budget targets for major units and analyzes unit submitted forecasts and proposals for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with established procedures, regulations, and organizational objectives.
• Works closely with units to understand actual to budget variance and develop recommendations for programmatic changes or cost containment strategies to avoid deficits.
• Assists in the development, interpretation and implementation of highly complex financial/accounting concepts and advanced techniques for financial planning and forecasting.
• Performs business case analyses and provides quantitative modeling support for various financial management projects in the Budget Office and the Office of the Provost.
• Prepares presentations to convey financial and administrative matters to leadership and members of the University community.
• Creates financial models that employ scenario analysis for future University planning and budgeting decisions.
• Develops and implements metrics and methodologies toolkits for evaluating financial performance for both the University and specific administrative and academic units.
• Coordinates with all levels of management and individuals across the University to gather, analyze, summarize, and prepare recommendations regarding financial plans, operating forecasts and other complex financial matters.
• Builds and maintains complex financial models using Excel, Hyperion, and other analysis and reporting tools and systems as necessary.
• Participates in use case testing and analytical support for changes to University budgeting and financial management systems and supports design and implementation efforts for future systems.
• Reports on variances between the approved budget and actual performance and recommends revised procedures.
• Provides specialized analysis and administration of the budget.
• Has a deep understanding of operational budgets for departments or other operational units.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Certifications: ---

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or relevant field.
• Experience: Experience in a university setting, or other not-for-profit enterprise.
• Technical Skills or Knowledge: Knowledge of financial computing and database software application.
• Knowledge of various financial principles, practices, and applications including budgeting, financial planning, and financial reporting.
• Experience with accounting systems and budget systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Competencies

• Attention to detail.
• Organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated time management ability to deliver high-integrity products within established deadlines.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (optional)
• References Contact Information (3) (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.