Strategic Finance & Programs Operations Manager

UMass Boston; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

UMass Boston's College of Science and Mathematics seeks a Finance & Program Operations Manager to provide professional financial, budgetary, and operational support to the ADAF and College leadership across six departments. The role oversees day-to-day financial activities, budgets, reconciliations, reporting, and coordination with central offices, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficient service.

Qualifications include a bachelor's degree in a related field and 3–5 years in financial

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, higher education administration, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, budget administration, accounting, or fiscal operations, preferably in a higher education.
• Demonstrated experience with budget monitoring, financial reconciliation, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Strong analytical, quantitative, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and demonstrated ability to work effectively with enterprise financial and administrative systems.
• Ability to analyze complex financial information, identify discrepancies, and communicate financial information effectively to both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently with sound judgment in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with individuals at multiple organizational levels.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential financial and personnel information with discretion and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage the day-to-day financial activities of the College of Science and Mathematics, including budget monitoring, purchasing, reimbursements, journal entries, transfers, and other financial transactions.
• Assist and advise the Assistant Dean for Administration & Finance with annual budget development, financial planning, forecasting, resource allocation, and preparation of statistical and financial reports.
• Monitor revenue, expenditures, and available balances for the Dean's Office and six academic departments; identify budget variances and potential funding issues and bring them to the attention of the ADAF.
• Prepare regular and ad hoc financial reports, projections, reconciliations, and analyses for the ADAF, Dean, department chairs, and other College leadership.
• Track and reconcile operating, payroll, gift, endowment, gifts, RTF, and start-up accounts to support effective financial management and planning.
• Monitor endowed and gift accounts to support appropriate use of funds consistent with donor restrictions and University requirements.
• Monitor faculty start-up accounts and commitments, including maintaining multi-year spending plans and tracking available funding and expenditures.
• Maintain financial tracking systems for faculty course buyouts, and other College commitments.
• Monitor personnel expenditures for faculty, staff, graduate assistants, and student employees; assist with salary projections, position funding, and payroll reconciliation.
• Coordinate and support the College's graduate assistantship and fellowship financial administration, including funding allocations, roster reconciliation, payroll monitoring, and related financial reporting.
• Review financial transactions for accuracy, appropriate funding, supporting documentation, and compliance with University requirements; identify discrepancies and initiate or coordinate timely corrections.
• Coordinate year-end financial activities for the College, including account review, reconciliation, expenditure monitoring, and preparation for fiscal year close.
• Provide guidance and support to department chairs, faculty, Administrative Managers, and staff regarding budgets, allowable expenditures, account balances, and University financial policies and procedures.
• Provide guidance and training on University financial systems and processes, including Summit, BuyWays, Concur, HR Direct, and related administrative systems.
• Assist with purchasing, travel, reimbursement, and other fiscal processes and serve as a resource for resolving complex financial and operational issues.
• Work collaboratively with departmental Administrative Managers and research administration staff to monitor research-related and restricted accounts and resolve financial issues involving sponsored and non-sponsored activities.
• Assist in developing and maintaining standardized financial procedures, templates, reports, tracking tools, and internal controls to promote consistency, accuracy, efficiency, and accountability throughout the College.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial and administrative processes and recommend solutions to the ADAF that strengthen internal controls, streamline workflows, and improve service to faculty and departments.
• Provide financial and operational support during peak workload periods, fiscal year close, staff absences, and departmental transitions as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Budget monitoring

Financial reconciliation

Forecasting

Financial reporting

Advanced Excel

Enterprise financial systems

Complex financial analysis

Time management

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, higher education administration, or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

PeopleSoft

Summit

BuyWays

Concur

HR Direct

Job description

UMass Boston's College of Science and Mathematics seeks a Finance & Program Operations Manager to provide professional financial, budgetary, and operational support to the ADAF and College leadership across six departments. The role oversees day-to-day financial activities, budgets, reconciliations, reporting, and coordination with central offices, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficient service.

Qualifications include a bachelor's degree in a related field and 3–5 years in financial