Senior Financial Administrator

Department: WCAS Chemistry
Salary/Grade: EXS/8

Job Summary:

Manages financial operations, analysis, and post-award research administration under the supervision of the Associate Director of Finance for the Department of Chemistry. Oversees complex grant activity, supervises staff, and partners with Principal Investigators (PIs) and central administrative offices. Provides strategic financial guidance and ensures compliance with university policies, sponsor requirements, and regulatory standards. This role manages complex, multi-million-dollar portfolios and serves as a key advisor to faculty and leadership on financial matters.

This position offers a hybrid work schedule. The target hiring range for this position is $75K - $90K. 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.

Specific Responsibilities:

Budget

• Leads development and monitoring of budgets across sponsored, discretionary, gift, and endowment funds
• Provides financial projections and variance analysis
• Guides faculty through budgeting and forecasting processes
• Coordinates fiscal year close/open activities
• Reviews and reconciles expenses in accordance with audit standards
• Approves budget reallocations as appropriate

Analysis, Statements & Reporting

• Prepares detailed financial reports and projections for faculty and leadership
• Performs complex reconciliations, trend analysis, and financial modeling
• Maintains proper financial controls and audit trails
• Identifies financial risks and opportunities and recommends solutions
• Enhances reporting tools to improve data accuracy and usability

Transactions

• Oversees compliant processing of all financial transactions
• Reviews and approves expense reports, procurement activity, and payroll transactions
• Monitors encumbrances and deficit chart strings and takes corrective action
• Establishes and maintains chart strings and financial structures
• Troubleshoots and resolves complex financial issues

Research Portfolio Financial Management

• Oversees financial management of assigned research portfolios, supporting multiple Principal Investigators and complex funding sources
• Monitors expenditures and ensures compliance with sponsor terms, university policies, and applicable regulations
• Provides strategic guidance to PIs on financial planning, funding utilization, and long-term portfolio management
• Oversees effort reporting and research payroll allocations to ensure accurate distribution and compliance
• Analyzes financial activity and trends to proactively identify risks, variances, and opportunities
• Partners with central administrative offices and external sponsors to support effective financial and operational execution

Administration

• Leads process improvement initiatives and implements best practices
• Supports strategic planning through financial modeling and analysis
• Acts as liaison between department and central administrative units
• Ensures compliance with university policies and operational standards

Training

• Provides training and guidance to staff and faculty on financial systems and policies
• Develops documentation and tools to standardize procedures

Supervision

• Supervises Financial Assistants and Accounting Assistants
• Assigns work, monitors performance, and conducts evaluations
• Participates in hiring, onboarding, and staff development
• Provides coaching and ensures effective workload distribution

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Policy, or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)

• At least five years financial and budgeting experience and/or experience preparing account reconciliations or financial statements along with financial analysis, or other relevant experience.

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

• Strong financial analysis and reporting skills

• Advanced proficiency in Excel and financial systems

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• High level of organization and attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with sponsored research administration

• Experience supporting faculty research portfolios in an academic environment

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Ability to translate complex financial information into actionable insights

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills

• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

• Knowledge of federal grant compliance requirements

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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