The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of universities and other institutions that operates astronomical observatories and telescopes.

Reporting directly to AURA’s Chief Financial Officer, the Director, Financial Planning & Analysis will be responsible for managing the creation and maintenance of all financial models and tools that support the organization, especially in support of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Funded Centers. This role will partner closely with stakeholders across the organization to manage the short-, medium- and long-range strategic planning, oversee the annual budgeting process, establish the monthly/quarterly/annual reporting cadence, and support a wide range of strategic analysis and decision making.

Essential Functions:

• Creates, maintains and updates various financial models, reports and analyses for AURA to include the NSF Funded Centers, their affiliates, and AURA Corporate. Serves as resident expert on cost allocation and appropriate application of indirect cost assessments to ensure
• Ensures the indirect rate reporting is analyzed throughout the fiscal year and forecasted against the approved provisional rates.
• Oversees the development of the indirect cost recovery rates for application and submission to the AURA Corporate office and NSF.
• Oversees the annual forecasting and budget processes. Prepare insightful analyses to highlight budget variances and drivers. Ensure budget guidance is adhered, the submission is timely and executive level reporting is thoughtful and concise.
• Responsible for ensuring financial reporting is adequate, accurate, timely and in compliance with AURA policies, US GAAP, Federal Uniform Guidance, laws, regulations and other industry best practices.
• Lead the Deltek Costpoint Budget and Planning implementation and integration for the NSF Funded Centers.
• Prepare and present financial analyses, trends, and metrics to senior leadership and governance to include preparing the board of director and committee
• Analyze and interpret data for monthly senior management meetings and bi-monthly governance meetings. Responsibilities include variance and trend analysis and projections of results for the current year. Establish and maintain strong relationships with senior leaders in the ground-based observatories to identify their needs and deliver a robust range of business and financial solutions.
• Develop strong working relationships with external staff from the NSF and serve, along with the Corporate Chief Financial Officer, as one of the primary liaisons with the NSF and state government
• Other duties as assigned

 Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• Minimum of 7-12 years of progressively increasing responsibilities in Finance/ Financial Planning and Analysis with solid team management experience
• Demonstrated experience creating financial reports and analyses with an established knowledge of all aspects of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Expert Microsoft Excel skills and the exhibited ability to create useful analyses from raw Extensive financial modeling experience.
• Significant experience with Federal awards, Uniform Guidance, and indirect cost
• Experience with business analytics and data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI,
• Analytical, intellectually curious and a clear thinker who can concisely summarize conclusions derived from financial analyses, an exceptional problem
• Proven record of strong collaboration with a wide variety of administrative, technical and scientific personnel, including C-Suite/senior level executives, in the accomplishment of organizational
• Results oriented with a high level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential
• Self-starter, deadline driven, organized and able to
• Strong and effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to create clarity and direction within the
• Experience working in a multi-cultural environment, in an international organization and/or in a high technology industry sector.
• Experience implementing ERP software and managing the associated organizational change
• Excellent management abilities, adept leader capable of inspiring and motivating teams through change, and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels, orally and in writing

Preferred Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• Advanced degree
• CPA designation
• Experience using Deltek Costpoint, including COGNOS reporting
• Fluency in Spanish

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop; kneel; crouch; or crawl.
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Must possess - sufficient mobility, strength, or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to a) reach upward, sideways, downward to work with paper files; b) sufficient mobility and dexterity to utilize computer systems, fax machines, copiers, and other office machines.
• Must possess – 1) ability to read and understand instructions, drawings, safety guides, and other written materials necessary to perform job; 2) sufficient visual capacity to perform the applicable functions without assistance of visual aids other than eye contacts or eye glasses; 3) sufficient spoken aural capacity to hear and understand instructions, warning bells, fire alarms, or shouted instructions without assistance of auditory aids other than a hearing aid; and 4) ability to impart information orally so that others understand and can respond appropriately.
• Travel may be necessary in or outside the contiguous United States.

AURA offers an excellent benefits package, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a stimulating work environment.

Please list 3 professional references in your application (references will only be contacted later in the recruitment process) and attach a cover letter and CV or resume (PDF files preferred) to your application. Please name any attachments with the following format: LastnameDocname. Application documents that are not uploaded as part of the application may be sent to employment@aura-astronomy.org.

Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at employment@aura-astronomy.org.

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of over 40 US institutions and three international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories. AURA’s role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. AURA is responsible for managing the operations of the NSF’s NOIRLab, the National Solar Observatory, and the construction of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope under cooperative agreements with the National Science Foundation and operations of the Space Telescope Science Institute under contracts with NASA.

As a recipient of U.S. Government funding, AURA is considered a government contractor and is subject to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action regulations. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, AURA does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender identity expression, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, disability, and/or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws.