Senior Financial Analyst

Cornell University; Town of Ithaca (NY); Hybrid; USD 93,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education benefits

Wellness programs

Retirement contributions

Job summary

Cornell University is seeking a Senior Financial Analyst on the Ithaca campus to manage central revenue and expense allocation models and support long-range forecasting. This role emphasizes quantitative analysis, data-driven insights, and financial process improvements across the institution.

The successful candidate will contribute to the Workday Adaptive Planning rollout, ensure model integrity, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders across finance, budget, and planning teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field plus 5 years of experience.
• Experience building complex financial models with large datasets.
• Advanced Excel skills (formulas, pivot tables, data analysis, modeling).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Excellent organizational, forecasting, planning, and communication skills.
• Ability to cultivate inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain central revenue and expense allocation models.
• Support long-range financial forecasting and analysis.
• Translate complex financial information into actionable insights.
• Assist with the Workday Adaptive Planning implementation.

Skills

Financial modeling

Excel

Data analysis

Forecasting

Attention to detail

Communication

Problem solving

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance or related field

Tools

Kuali Financial System

Workday

OAS

Longview

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

This position is located on the Cornell University Campus in Ithaca, New York. You will be expected to work in Ithaca, although you may be permitted to perform a portion of your work remotely.

Note: No Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

Who We Are

Located in Ithaca, N.Y., Cornell University is a bold, innovative, inclusive, and dynamic teaching and research university where staff, faculty, and students alike are challenged to make an enduring contribution to the betterment of humanity. Cornell University is one of the largest and most diverse institutions in the Ivy League. We are a community of 22,000 students and more than 10,000 faculty and staff members representing more than 80 countries and hundreds of disciplines—global cultures, backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and ideas.

What You Will Do

Reporting to the Director of University Resource Planning & Institutional Finance, the Senior Financial Analyst supports the stewardship of the University’s central revenue and expense allocation models and is responsible for developing and maintaining the financial models and mechanisms that govern how resources are planned and distributed across the institution. The role also supports long-range financial forecasting and other analytical and planning activities that inform University resource allocation and financial decision‑making. This role is highly quantitative and detail‑oriented, with a strong emphasis on financial modeling, data analysis, forecasting, and translating complex financial information into actionable insights. The Senior Financial Analyst will play a key role in ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and sustainability of the University’s central financial models and resource allocation methodologies. The role will also contribute to the continuous improvement of financial planning processes, systems, and reporting capabilities by ensuring that central models are aligned with institutional planning and resource allocation methodologies. Additionally, the Senior Financial Analyst will support the University’s FY29 Workday Adaptive Planning implementation, helping to ensure that central financial models and planning processes are effectively translated into the new system. While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

What Is Required

• A cover letter and resume are required for consideration for this position. When applying to the position through our system, please attach your resume and cover letter in either Microsoft Word or PDF format.
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field and minimum of 5 years of experience in a similar capacity working in Finance, Budget and/or Analytical Role or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience building complex financial models and working with large datasets.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (advanced formulas, pivot tables, data analysis, and modeling techniques).
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Excellent organizational, forecasting, planning, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Preferred Qualifications For The Position Include

• Knowledge of Cornell systems including but not limited to Kuali Financial System, Workday, OAS, and Longview.
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).
• Prior experience working in higher education, non‑profit, or public sector finance.

What We Offer

Great benefits that include educational benefits, access to a plethora of wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, health care, generous paid leave provisions, 3 weeks of vacation, 14 university paid holidays (including end of year winter break through New Year’s Day) and superior employer retirement contributions.

Cornell is situated in picturesque Ithaca, New York, the heart of the Finger Lakes. Ithaca is home to two academic institutions, state parks, waterfalls, gorges, and a wide range of art galleries, theaters, eateries, wineries, and breweries. Ithaca is an active and diverse community to work and thrive in and has something to suit all ages and interests!

University Job Title

Finance Specialist IV

Job Family

Fin/Budget/Planning

Level

G

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Range

$93,745.00 - $114,577.00

Remote Option Availability

Hybrid

Company

Endowed

Job Titles And Pay Ranges

Non-Union Positions

Noted Pay Ranges Reflect The Potential Pay Opportunity For Each Job Profile. The Hiring Rate Of Pay For The Successful Candidate Will Be Determined Considering The Following Criteria

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

EEO Statement

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world‑class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-10-08