Senior Manager of Graduate Student Funding

Department: Office of Budget and Planning
Salary/Grade: EXS/13

Job Summary:

The Office of Budget and Planning serves as the steward of resources and trusted advisor for units across Northwestern in order to support decision-making and enable strategy. Within the Office, the Senior Manager of Graduate Student Funding is accountable for the strategic allocation and management of all finances related to graduate student funding for PhD, MFA, and master's degree programs housed within The Graduate School (TGS). This position leads the execution of finance functions and processes related to these programs, including budget setting, forecasting, reporting, multi-year planning, modeling, and analysis, and is responsible for development and implementation of processes to support these activities.

Reporting to Senior Associate Vice President of Budget and Planning, the role is expected to work in partnership with the Dean of TGS and other staff to execute processes related to graduate student funding, including annual and multi-year planning processes, quarterly forecasts, and ongoing financial, data, and reporting needs.

This position will engage and collaborate with financial leadership and other financial staff members in schools and units across the University to develop and lead a new process for allocating graduate student resources and tracking information. This position will also participate as needed in strategic meetings with University leadership to present information and identify solutions in connection with their analysis and projects. Additionally, the Senior Manager is responsible for managing the Analyst for Graduate Student Funding role.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Leads financial planning, forecasting, budgeting, modeling, and analysis related to TGS degree programs.
• Manages all finances related to graduate education, in coordination with TGS Operations as needed.
• Creates and maintains dashboards and other reporting needs related to TGS degree programs funding and financial drivers.

• Collaborates with Budget Office, Provost Office, School leadership and TGS to strategize finance and resource allocation decisions related to graduate education.
• Serves on Office of Budget and Planning leadership team and maintains working relationships and engages with other members of the team as needed.
• Participation in internal and external peer groups.
• Participates in all workgroups and teams associated with the graduate student unionization and the bargaining unit
• Leads the financial analysis for graduate student unionization costs and renegotiations

• Plans, coordinates, and executes the annual budget process as it relates to TGS degree programs in alignment with SAVP of Budget and Planning goals.
• Monitors reporting systems to ensure accuracy of financial data; performs periodic analysis and report financial position and school performance to senior leadership.
• Develops data-driven solutions to address issues and opportunities related to graduate student funding.
• Acts in partnership with leadership on all financial issues related to graduate student financial aid.

• Participates in strategic meetings with University leadership to present financial information, analysis, and project solutions, engaging in initiative-specific financial analysis, and contributing to resource allocation analysis and recommendations.

• Performs complex financial account reconciliations, statement analysis, and transaction research.

• Recommends changes to tools to improve analysis, forecasting, modeling & reporting & ultimately quality of financial information & analyses provided to management for planning, evaluating & controlling operations.

• Processes & presents associated data & information through the application of sophisticated database, graphic & spreadsheet tools

• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business or finance and 7+ years of budget and financial analysis experience, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience in which comparable skills are developed.
• 3-5 years' experience in resource planning and analysis including financial, budgeting and/or preparing account reconciliations or financial statements along with financial analysis or other relevant experience
• Working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, database and graphical presentation software.
• Experience with enterprise financial systems
• Familiarity with PhD funding models and programs
• Experience working with senior or executive level leaders.
• Strong analytical, written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with staff at all levels.
• An understanding of higher education issues and policy-setting procedures.
  

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Demonstrated ability to provide high levels of service, confidentiality, professionalism, collegial attitude, and working well with details
• Ability to operate strategically and think "big picture" are extremely important skills for this position, as are entrepreneurial skills, economic forecasting abilities, and analytical skills.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with senior leadership.
• Excellent judgment and problem-solving skills including negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Experience with word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.
• Proven track record of success facilitating progressive organizational change and development.
• Critical thinking skills, and an interest in analyzing data and information.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Master's degree in accounting, business, or finance
• Previous experience in financial, planning, and analysis role in a corporate or higher education setting.
• Previous financial planning and analysis (FP&A) experience in a corporate or non-profit setting
• Experience working with and developing PhD funding models and processes
• Experience presenting to senior leadership
  

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Verbal and written presentation skills
• Ability to collaborate across departments and stakeholders
• Data-driven approach to problem solving
  

The target hiring range for this position will be between $145,000 - 165,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.