Department

BSD AFA - Accounting and Financial Analysis

About the Department

The University of Chicago biomedical enterprise houses three entities: the Biological Sciences Division (BSD), the University of Chicago Medicine (UCM), and the Pritzker School of Medicine. Collectively called UCM, we are one of the nation's leading academic medical institutions and have been at the forefront of discovery, education, and clinical care since 1927. Located 20 minutes south of downtown Chicago, our Hyde Park main campus provides a single environment for learning, world-renowned basic science and clinical research, and outstanding clinical care.

The BSD is the largest academic unit within the University. The BSD is comprised of faculty from ten basic science departments, 13 clinical departments, and several Centers and Institutes. The approximately 1,300 faculty and 3,000 staff members working in the BSD collaborate across the organization to achieve our Mission, Vision, and Values (MVV):

MISSION: As part of the University of Chicago, we pursue globally impactful solutions to seemingly unsolvable challenges. Through our rigorous research, innovative education, and comprehensive care and healing, we collaborate on life-changing advancements that create meaningful results for our community and the world, including a greater, more equitable future for all.

VISION: Together, we elevate the human experience with knowledge and health care.

VALUES:
• Commit to Excellence: We contribute our exceptional talents to all we do and empower the same spirit of excellence in others.
• Embrace Curiosity: We stay open to new ideas, champion diverse perspectives, and drive a culture of thoughtful risk-taking to deliver transformative innovation.
• Embody Equity: We identify systemic issues and then foster change to drive a more equitable environment inclusive of diverse people, ideas, and fields of science.
• Grow Together: We meaningfully collaborate with one another to create something bigger than we could ever achieve alone.
• Make a Difference: We lead with heart and compassion in all our interactions. We create positive change in our areas of influence, whether expanding scientific inquiry, developing the next generation of leaders, or healing our community.
• Take Ownership: We accomplish what we say we will and hold ourselves and one another accountable for our actions.

The MVV serves as our True North, charting our strategic plan for the next ten years and beyond. It is an exciting time to be a part of the University of Chicago and the BSD. Our team is helping to shape the future for our learners, staff, faculty, patients, and community.

Job Summary

The job manages a team of professional staff responsible for the financial management of operating and capital budgets for divisions and/or University-wide administrative units. Develops long and short term plans to achieve financial goals, business strategies/plans, and financial forecasts/models for all major service programs and initiatives. Manages quarterly and year-end reporting for the operating budget.

The University recently implemented a new Enterprise Resource Planning system which requires a near-term focus of stabilization in creating processes, standards, and reports. The Director will position the BSD for long-term resilience by continually assessing needs and developing tools, training, and processes to minimize financial and reputational risk, driving efficiency, and safeguard assets. The Director is responsible for managing and reporting on compliance related proceedings for the BSD and provides guidance and training on both BSD and University policies, procedures, and standards. The Director serves as a liaison with University Procurement and Payment Services seeking solutions to challenges, advising on actions to identify variances and promoting good spend management practices with faculty and staff. This position serves as a liaison across BSD and University offices, and with internal or external auditors on financial compliance and internal control issues.

Responsibilities

• Represents BSD with University internal auditors providing insight on risk assessment and responses to inquiries.
• Leads and manages financial administrator(s) in the areas of cost controls and policy compliance.
• Designs and delivers advanced training materials and tools to enable adherence to policies, procedures and standards ensuring compliance.
• Leads the review and preparation of compliance reporting, translating insights into risk profiles and development of management mitigation strategies for senior leadership.
• Coaches and develops managers and leaders on compliance practices, ensuring audit preparedness, regulatory responsiveness, and policy interpretation.
• Develops and governs BSD compliance and controls training curriculum; champions learning pathways and competency development to address regulatory, strategic, and operational priorities.
• Designs, enforces, and continuously improves BSD financial policies, procedures, and controls that support scalable compliance, risk management, and internal consistency across all missions.
• Maintains all policies and procedures on the BSD landing page, enabling easy access to information for all members of the BSD community.
• Positions the Controls and Compliance function as strategic anchor of institutional integrity, leading transformation in risk management, efficient spending practices, and long-term control framework development.
• Engages with and leverages AI tools to optimize financial work flows, analysis, and decision making.
• Manages staff. Establishes performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for direct subordinates.
• In partnership with the Financial Planning and Analysis team, develops a data warehouse for contracts, capturing key information needed for business processing and maintaining documentation for existing and new contracts.
• Working across the BSD and UCM when appropriate, formalize contract routing workflows for managing agreements.
• Manages the preparation of financial statements, activity reports, financial position forecasts, and/or reports required by regulatory agencies.
• Manages the preparation of audits and value-add financial analysis. Advises senior management on financial reporting requirements.
• 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 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.

• MBA or advanced degree in finance, public policy, not-for-profit administration, healthcare administration, or a related field.

Experience:

• CPA or other audit-related certificate holder.

• Internal or external audit experience.

• Grant administration experience.

• Experience in Healthcare, University or a not-for-profit organization.

• Financial analysis and modeling experience.

Certifications:

• Familiarity with Project Management methodologies, e.g. Smartsheet.

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Adobe Acrobat.

Preferred Competencies

• Solid skills in organizing information, written communication, and training.

• Demonstrated ability to interact proactively with counterparts in other units.

• Demonstrated ability to manage own time to deliver high-integrity products within established deadlines.

• Knowledge of various financial principles, practices, and applications.

• Intellectual versatility and creativity.

• Strong analytical and organizational skills.

• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Ability to understand a workflow and visualize it for other users.

• Ability to work closely with senior Division Management.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Ability to establish and maintain relationships at all organizational levels.

• Ability to work non-traditional hours when necessary.

Working Conditions

• Office environment.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

Job Family

Financial Management

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

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

$110,000.00 - $150,000.00

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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