University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
Financial Operations Manager, Wharton Finance and Administration
Job Profile Title
Business Manager B
Job Description Summary
Founded in 1881 as the world’s first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With campuses in Philadelphia and San Francisco, Wharton has over 850 staff, a faculty population of more than 235 renowned professors, and 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year, 13,000 professionals worldwide advance their careers through Wharton Executive Education’s individual, company-customized, and online programs. More than 104,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. Wharton is home to a diverse staff population representing a rich array of backgrounds, expertise, and cultures. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.
The Financial Operations Manager reports directly to the Associate Director. The Financial Operations Manager will serve as an integral member of the Fiscal Operations team at Wharton Finance & Administration, providing centralized and comprehensive financial operations support for four administrative departments.
The Financial Operations Manager will be responsible for Workday payroll, Purchase Order/Requisitions, Concur reimbursements, reviews, and reconciliations, ensuring our financial operations processes are well-managed. The Financial Operations Manager will also assist the Associate Director with budgeting, forecasting, and financial models. The position will be knowledgeable and comfortable standardizing business processes and resource planning tools and leveraging technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness to enable fact-based, timely, and collaborative decisions that enhance the mission of Wharton and its respective departments. This position will work closely with the departments' contacts to provide guidance on financial policies and processes. In addition to the core responsibilities, this role will collaborate closely with various departments to gain insights and implement streamlined processes for more seamless financial operations.
Job Description
Job Responsibilities
- Manage processes such as payroll, expense reimbursements, purchasing cards, reconciliations, and journals. Provide auditable, streamlined processing to increase efficiency and enhance standardization, assuring all financial operations and decisions adhere to University and School policies. Works closely with leadership to define and identify process deficiencies and design and implement changes to mitigate risks.
- Manage departmental fiscal year-end close, merit process, access reviews, restricted funds, tax reporting, and other annual activities.
- Assist with operating budget and financial analyses/modeling processes. Assist with the development of budgets and forecasts/projections using Hyperion, SmartView, Business Objects, BEN Financials, Excel, and other financial tools.
- Management and administration of hiring needs, including of professionals, temporary staff, and student workers. Providing training and oversight of workflows, projects, and process changes.
- Attend training and meetings to keep up-to-date in understanding of applicable financial and HR systems, policies, and procedures.
- Other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree with 3-5 years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Ability to multi-task and pivot as necessary. Strong accounting skills and knowledge of Penn's financial systems a plus.
- Intermediate technical skills required (e.g., Excel's Pivot Tables, Tables, Power Query, etc.).
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential, including professional email writing skills and the ability to diplomatically but assertively enforce policies and guidelines, including with those at higher levels.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Wharton School
Pay Range
$51,824.00 - $85,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state or local law.
Special Requirements
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
University Benefits
Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible Work Hours:Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay
