Senior Manager - Financial Planning and Analysis

Department

SING EVP Headquarters - Finance & Ops - CoS NL

About the Department

The Office of National Laboratories (ONL) supports University leaders, faculty, researchers, and strategic partners by providing financial, operational, and administrative expertise that advances major scientific and institutional priorities. The portfolio includes the University’s stewardship and engagement with Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, as well as cross-University strategic initiatives, partnerships, and programs.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Finance, the Senior Manager, Financial Planning and Analysis, leads financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, and strategic financial analysis across the portfolio. This role is responsible for developing and maintaining annual operating budgets, multi-year financial plans, forecasts, financial models, and executive-level analyses that support informed decision-making and effective resource allocation.

The Senior Manager serves as a trusted financial partner to senior leadership and works closely with the University Budget Office, Financial Services, Procurement, University Research Administration, Board Relations, and finance teams at Argonne and Fermilab. This position also supports financial controls, audit readiness, compliance, and reporting requirements associated with University programs, strategic projects, partner agreements, and national laboratory activities. The emphasis of this role is proactive financial planning and analysis, with compliance and national laboratory responsibilities integrated as part of the broader finance portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development, coordination, and analysis of annual budgets, quarterly forecasts, multi-year financial plans, and year-end projections for operating units, strategic initiatives, and projects within the portfolio.
• Owns monthly and quarterly financial performance reporting, including actual-to-budget and actual-to-forecast variance analysis, trend analysis, financial position forecasts, and identification of emerging risks and opportunities.
• Develops financial models, scenario analyses, and business cases to support strategic planning, resource allocation, new initiatives, partner agreements, and executive decision-making.
• Prepares concise, decision-oriented financial presentations, dashboards, and recommendations for senior leadership, translating complex financial information into clear implications and actionable options.
• Advises senior leaders and program owners on budget development, spending plans, cost management, funding strategies, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Monitors operating and project budgets throughout the fiscal year and partners with stakeholders to address variances, optimize expenses, and maintain alignment with approved financial plans.
• Supports financial planning, reporting, and stewardship associated with the University’s national laboratory responsibilities, including selected Argonne and Fermilab activities, Board of Governors engagements, and related strategic initiatives.
• Coordinates with National Laboratory finance teams and University partners on financial information, budget submissions, project reporting, and other finance requirements as needed.
• Maintains strong internal financial controls and supports compliance with University policies, US GAAP, applicable federal requirements, grant and fund management standards, and contractual obligations.
• Supports internal and external audit activities, including preparation of financial schedules, documentation, responses, and implementation of process improvements or risk-mitigation actions arising from reviews.
• Provides financial oversight for procurement, consulting and partner agreements, grants/funds, and other financial commitments within the portfolio; identifies financial and operational risks and recommends appropriate controls.
• Partners with the Budget Office, Financial Services, Procurement, University Research Administration, Office of Legal Counsel, Board Relations, National Laboratory finance teams, and other stakeholders to ensure consistent and effective financial management.
• Leads process improvement efforts that strengthen forecasting, reporting, budget management, internal controls, and the effective use of ERP, reporting, and analytical tools.
• Develops standardized financial planning tools, reporting templates, and processes to improve transparency, consistency, and efficiency across the portfolio.
• Conducts quantitative and qualitative analysis to identify cost drivers, expense optimization opportunities, financial trends, and opportunities to improve resource utilization or support revenue and funding strategies.
• Provides day-to-day guidance and financial subject-matter expertise to analysts and colleagues supporting the portfolio and contributes to team development, knowledge sharing, and cross-functional projects.
• Reviews estimated expenditures. Develops expenditure projections and periodic budget variance reports. Prepares forecasts as well as analyses.
• Acts as a resource for team members, solves complex problems. Explains complex and sensitive information.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, economics, or a related field.
• Master’s degree, MBA, or other advanced degree.

Experience:

• Progressive experience with budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, management reporting, strategic planning, and financial analysis in higher education, government, research, nonprofit, consulting, or industry environments.
• Demonstrated experience developing annual operating budgets, multi-year financial plans, forecasts, and executive-level financial analyses.
• Supporting complex portfolios, strategic initiatives, institutional programs, research environments, grants/funds, or government-related activities.
• Background with financial controls, audit support, risk management, process improvement, and implementation of finance best practices.
• Partnering with senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders to translate financial analysis into business recommendations.
• Providing work direction, mentoring, or supervision to financial analysts or other staff.

Certifications:

• CPA, CMA, CFA, or other relevant financial certification.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of financial planning and analysis, budgeting, forecasting, accounting principles, internal controls, and financial reporting.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including financial modeling and complex data analysis.
• Proficient in Power BI or similar reporting and visualization tools.
• Proficient with enterprise financial/accounting systems to improve reporting and financial processes through technology.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong financial and strategic judgment to synthesize complex information, identify key drivers, and develop practical recommendations.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Communicate financial information clearly and effectively to both financial and non-financial audiences, including senior executives.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and influence across functions and organizational levels.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills to prioritize multiple assignments and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive, resourceful, and comfortable working independently in an evolving and sometimes ambiguous environment.
• Commitment to financial stewardship, continuous improvement, integrity, and high professional standards.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Professional References Contact Information (required)(3)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Financial Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$135,000.00 - $155,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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