Careers

Finance Manager 1 – Financial Generalist (9341FG)

Serves as the finance manager for the center, leading all aspects of the financial management of faculty funding portfolios (including approx. $20M in grant funding) and supervising a team of financial professionals. Coordinates all 12 internal/external service organizations. Reporting to the Finance Director for all financial decisions and serves as a surrogate as necessary.

35%: Supervision
Supervises 4 finance staff, who provide post-award support to MCC’s 25 administratively-supported faculty.  Responsible for the full employee life cycle for all staff. Conduct performance evaluations; ensure staff are trained; ensure employees follow policies and procedures; maintain a balanced and safe working environment.
Meet regularly with staff to provide leadership, training, mentoring, and guidance. Build and maintain a cohesive team of accountants. Provide effective feedback with continuous improvement as the ultimate goal and attained through training, mentorship, and providing a positive role model for staff. Coordinate annual budget entry into EFS.
Backup staff as needed due to openings and absences. Duties performed by accountants include providing financial support to Principal Investigator (PI) over the life of the grant (research) or contract. Monitor spending (including effort distribution), approve expenditures, forecast future spending, and analyze/determine root cause and communicate potential deficits. Ensure effort certification is completed by PI within defined timeframes. Ensure grants are closed out accurately, issues are resolved with SPA, and approve expenditures that meet the University accounting standards.

25%: Oversight of Internal Service Organizations
Provides financial oversight, business plans, rate development, monthly billing and reporting for 10 Internal Service Organizations (including external sales activity).  Meet quarterly with shared resource directors/managers.

15%: Internal Controls
Issue Resolution: Work with department staff and/or representatives from collegiate and central units such as Controller’s Office, Sponsored Projects Administration, and the Office of the General Council on complicated accounting issues. Define issues, develop solutions and be responsible for the selection and implementation of the chosen solution. Develop policy or procedures to mitigate future risk. Navigate thoughtfully through roadblocks in order to meet objectives.

Provide consultation and training on accounting standards and procedures, internal controls, and government regulations to department and division managers and administrative staff. Educate others as to the allowability of expenses and best practices. Improve current policies and processes.

Prepare for audit as required, which included the review of internal controls; preparation of schedules; compiling of work papers; preparation of consolidated financial documents; and responding to auditor’s questions.

10%: Cross-Departmental Coordination and Pilot Support
Collaborates with leadership across colleges/departments to complete Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs). Works with MCC Research Development Manager to set up and fund MCC pilot awards, as well as following up with awardees on balances and extensions.

10%: Center Representative and Process Design/Improvement
Represent the Center on various committees to share expertise, aid in decision making and communicate information back to the department. Take the lead within the department on process design and improvement.

5%:
Other duties as assigned.

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials. 

Required Qualifications:

BA/BS with at least 6 years of relevant experience

Federal research grant experience (NIH preferred)
Proven management skills
Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
Demonstrated expertise in use of technology and information tools related to the needs of the position

Preferred Qualifications:

MBA or Masters level degree in finance related field or at least 8 years of relevant experience
Grant and contract experience at the University of Minnesota
Certified Approver
Experience with the University financial systems, EFS (Enterprise Financial System), HRMS (People Soft Human Resources), ECRT (Effort Certification), ART (Account Reporting Tool), UM Analytics
Experience with clinical research at the University
Experience demonstrating strong organizational skills

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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