Careers

Position Overview
The Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) in the College of Science and Engineering is seeking a Finance Manager to lead a team of six full-time staff plus student employees. The Department includes 42 faculty, 275 graduate students, 474 undergraduate students and and over 50 admin and research staff. It has annual sponsored expenditures of $12.5 million and non-sponsored expenditures of $15 million. ME offers one of the most versatile engineering degrees to prepare students for careers in energy, biomedical devices, environmental engineering, transportation, design, controls and sensors, thermal sciences, and nanomanufacturing. Its research also reflects this diversity.

This position reports to the Chief of Staff and oversees pre-award support, post-award accounting and compliance, budgeting, financial analysis, financial policy and procedure development, payroll and purchasing. It collaborates closely with faculty leadership and other senior managers responsible for the Department’s education, research, and service missions. We are looking for a thoughtful, motivated, and service-oriented team player to join a flexible, fun, and driven group of faculty and staff in ME.

Areas of Responsibility and Accountability
Team Management and Supervision (30%)

• Hiring, mentoring, evaluating, and supporting staff professional development.
• Organizing work processes, determining priorities, and assigning work.
• Maintain consistent service levels through cross-training.
• Maintain excellent 2-way communication with staff and engage their ideas in meeting group priorities.

Finance and Grants Management (40%)

• Oversee the finances of the department; advise the department head and chief of staff on use of department resources, including gifts and endowments, and department-level financial policies. Provide regular reports and analysis.
• Prepare the annual budget for administrative review, including requests for instructional technology and changes in course fees.
• Support the undergraduate and graduate programs in managing scholarships, fellowships and the finances of student organizations.
• Manage pre-award services to reduce the administrative burden on faculty and facilitate timely, accurate submissions to Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA).
• Oversee all aspects of post-award grants administration, including transaction approvals, cost sharing, rebudgeting, effort certification, no cost extensions, pre-award accounts, subcontract requests, project close outs, internal and external sales, and routine monitoring of sponsored awards. Coordinate with SPA, Sponsored Financial Reporting, and other relevant University offices.  Interpret and communicate sponsored agency guidelines to faculty.
• Coordinate information for external and internal audits and improve internal controls as necessary.
• Provide regular reporting to faculty on their sponsored and non-sponsored funds along with periodic forecasting. Communicate effectively with faculty about financial policies and compliance considerations. Provide training to principal investigators and members of their labs involved in purchasing, effort certification and similar activities.

Purchasing (10%)

• Oversee functions associated with purchasing, invoicing, and payment so they are consistent with University policy, timely, accurate and easy for users, with appropriate approvals and controls.

Payroll (10%)

• Oversee payroll and appointment entry so they are consistent with University policy, timely and accurate, with appropriate approvals and controls.  

Managing University Relationships/Partnerships (10%)

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with University partners including the CSE Dean’s Office, CSE Cluster, other CSE Academic departments, SPA, SFR, REO, the Controller’s Office and the ESO/ISO.
• Serve on committees as assigned and requested, participating on a variety of fiscal and administrative policy matters.  These committees can include the Certified Approver Advisory Board (CAAC), Grants Management User Network (GMUN), Financial Systems User Network (FSUN), and the CSE CA Committee.
• Stay informed on best practices in departmental research administration via memberships in professional organizations such as National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) or Society of Research Administrators International (SRA International).

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS with major in accounting, finance, business administration or related field and at least six (6) years professional finance experience.
• Certified Approver (or must pass CA exam within 4-6 months after hire).
• Demonstrated experience managing and supervising people.
• Strong written and oral communications skills and the ability to effectively interface with all levels of a complex, diverse organization (students, staff, faculty, and central administration).
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines both independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in problem identification and problem solving with complex and sensitive issues.
• Demonstrated willingness to learn and grow professionally as evidenced by previous professional development activities.
• Capable of accepting responsibility with a high level of independent initiative, proactivity, and creativity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience maintaining compliance with the U of M policies and procedures.
• Experience with all components of post award grants management.
• Experience working in a higher education institution and an understanding of the academic culture, especially science or engineering.

Questions: Kerri McLaughlin Miller (kerrim@umn.edu)

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

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