Job description
Department Information
To apply, please go to: https://cu.taleo.net/careersection/jobdetail.ftl?job=29385
Who We Are:
System Administration, which also houses the Office of the President, is located in the uptown neighborhood of Denver with a few smaller offices located on the campuses. Many of our departments support the educational and research missions of the four University of Colorado campuses, but System Administration is not considered a campus. We provide diverse opportunities for professional development, innovation, and collaboration with talented staff and faculty. Learn more about CU System Administration.
University Information Systems (UIS) provides technical services and enterprise applications to the University of Colorado’s (CU) four campuses and the Office of the President. UIS is committed to excellence in customer service, technical expertise, and the development of enterprise applications responsible for supporting CU’s students, faculty, human resources employees, finance employees, and others.
Position Summary:
University Information Systems (UIS) provides technical services and enterprise applications to the University of Colorado’s (CU) four campuses and the Office of the President. UIS is committed to excellence in customer service, technical expertise, and the development of enterprise applications responsible for supporting CU’s students, faculty, human resources employees, finance employees, and others.
The Principal Financial Analyst supports UIS by providing financial and operational support to all members of the department. This position is responsible for working with the Assistant Director of Business Services to manage IT Governance projects and other project finances which includes but is not limited to generating budget reports, providing data analysis, carrying out monthly close responsibilities, and preparing and delivering budget presentations. This position works independently and must have a thorough understanding of the department, its budgets, and various CU and UIS policies, procedures, and guidelines to be successful. The Principal Financial Analyst is expected to build high-trust and collaborative relationships with business partners, key stakeholders, and take initiative to identify and resolve financial and procurement challenges.
The Principal Financial Analyst reports to the Assistant Director of Business Services and is exempt from the State of Colorado Classified Staff System.
The Principal Financial Analyst supports UIS by providing financial and operational support to all members of the department. This position is responsible for working with the Assistant Director of Business Services to manage IT Governance projects and other project finances which includes but is not limited to generating budget reports, providing data analysis, carrying out monthly close responsibilities, and preparing and delivering budget presentations. This position works independently and must have a thorough understanding of the department, its budgets, and various CU and UIS policies, procedures, and guidelines to be successful. The Principal Financial Analyst is expected to build high-trust and collaborative relationships with business partners, key stakeholders, and take initiative to identify and resolve financial and procurement challenges.
The Principal Financial Analyst reports to the Assistant Director of Business Services and is exempt from the State of Colorado Classified Staff System.
Where You Will Work:
This position is located in Denver, Colorado and has the ability to work in a hybrid model.
Diversity and Equity:
The University of Colorado System Administration Office is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse workforce. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons within the LGBTQ+ community and all veterans.
Description of Job
Duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:
Financial & Budget Management & Analysis
- Provide fiscal and operational support to UIS, which includes purchasing, accounting, and overall financial management
- Generate custom and standardized financial reports and utilize information to:
- Track and monitor consultant progress on projects
- Reconcile financial transactions and balances to check accuracy
- Ensure all financial transactions are recorded accurately, timely, and according to UIS and CU policies at monthly close; make correcting journal entries when needed
- Forward monthly financial data to UIS managers, directors, and leadership; work with managers, directors, and leadership to identify shortfalls, issues, and resolve discrepancies
- Consult and collaborate with budget managers to provide fiscal forecasting and modeling to ensure appropriate and effective budget usage of UIS funding and resources. Information and visualizations are delivered to UIS and System Leadership for use in strategic budgetary and operational decision making.
- Assist the Assistant Director of Business Services in managing the budgets and forecast modeling and report-outs for all UIS-related IT Governance projects. This includes regular meetings with campus financial analyst partners to understand and/or communicate updates on the budget components of these large-spend projects.
- Work in conjunction with the Assistant Director to develop, prepare, submit, monitor, and close out approximately $27 million in UIS budgets based on long-term department objectives
- Works with team to develop various monthly and annual budget presentations utilizing PowerPoint and Visio tools based on budget and finance initiatives for leadership team
- Track licensing and contract renewals; work with UIS managers and ADs to correct issues, ensure processes are followed, and track costs against established budgets
- Assists in creating and supporting UIS chargeback models to campuses for target programs. This includes but is not limited to monthly charging, education on invoices, and annual reviews with campus partners and UIS Leadership.
Purchasing, Travel, & Expense Reimbursement Management
- Manage and oversee procurement activity for various projects which includes oversight and compliance through the lifecycle of the procurement process
- Collects and reviews procurement documents for compliance; identifies issues and works with UIS employees, vendors, and the PSC to resolve
- Coordinate purchases of goods and services from requisition request through to the invoice payment; utilizes CU Marketplace for purchasing and research purposes to include purchase order (PO) creation, maintenance, and invoice processing
- Work with UIS employees to collect documentation for expense reimbursements and submit information using the Concur Travel & Expense System; reviews documentation for compliance and works with employees to resolve issues; approves deviations from UIS policy as necessary
Operational & Miscellaneous Support
- Recommend enhancements and streamline current policies and procedures, including vendor management. Implement process improvements based on analysis and evaluation of current policies and procedures in comparison to research and/or finance and procurement best practices.
- Build positive relationships with employees, provide motivational support, and champion a work culture that challenges, respects, and engages staff
- Serve as a back-up for the Financial Analyst and Assistant Director, as needed
- Manage special projects and tasks as assigned
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualifications:
Please ensure your resume includes any and all relevant experience to be accurately assessed against these qualifications. You must meet all minimum requirements listed at the time of application to be considered for this role.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, or equivalent professional experience (professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis)
- Four (4) years’ professional experience in an operations development, office management, or financial analyst role which includes:
- Developing and analyzing customized and standardized financial reports
- Using enterprise financial software systems to complete budget reconciliations, journal entries, and financial research
- Experience in an outward facing customer service role
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the field of finance, non-profit management, or other related area.
- Six (6) years’ professional experience as indicated above.
- General understanding of the University of Colorado, including its organizational structure.
- Familiarity with University of Colorado systems and procedures including Concur, CU Marketplace, PeopleSoft Applications, or similar databases.
- Experience managing a budget(s) and providing financial analyses is highly desired
- Experience in finance, non-profit management, or higher education setting is highly desired
To be successful in this position, employees will need to know the following:
- Knowledge of the business, financial, organizational structure, and governance at CU
- Knowledge of accounting and financial principles, processes, and best practices
- Analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to examine data and trends to produce results
- Ability to prepare and present financial analyses, schedules, and plans to a variety of audiences (e.g., verbal, written, visual, etc.)
- Proofreading, grammar, punctuation, and formatting skills, including the ability maintain consistency and be cognizant of and address details
- Ability to navigate a complex political environment and to establish and maintain partnerships with a variety of internal and external constituencies
- Oral, written, and listening communication skills, including the ability to accurately interpret what others are saying and convey messages, information, concepts, and details accurately and clearly
- Customer service skills, including the ability to actively listen, address customer needs, defuse tense situations, and maintain an open, flexible, and friendly demeanor
- Interpersonal and collaboration skills, including the ability facilitate interaction, communication, and teamwork between individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and ages
- Computer skills, including the ability to utilize Microsoft Office programs (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) with advanced skills in Microsoft Excel to create and maintain complex calculations and pivot tables, and provide evaluation
- Organizational skills, including the ability to set and meet goals and deadlines, manage appointments, create schedules, coordinate, and facilitate meetings, and make decisions
- Ability to learn and experiment with new software and systems
- Ability to work under pressure, manage concurrent and competing tasks and responsibilities, and adapt to changing priorities while maintaining personal effectiveness. Ability to focus on activities that have the greatest impact on meeting work commitments
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and reliable professional judgment, as well as collaboratively with a team to achieve desired results
- Ability to maintain a strong work ethic, positive problem-solving attitude, and enthusiasm for the work performed
- Ability to self-start and take initiative in completing daily tasks and special projects
- Ability to handle and maintain sensitive and confidential material
- Ability to maintain accurate and detailed records and record keeping systems
Supplemental Information
How to Apply:
For full consideration, please attach the following as separate documents to your application at https://cu.taleo.net/careersection/jobdetail.ftl?job=29385:
- A cover letter identifying the job specific minimum qualifications you possess
- A resume including any and all relevant experience to be accurately assessed against the qualifications listed in the posting.
When to Apply:
For full consideration completed applications must be submitted by April 11, 2023. Reference checking is a standard step in our hiring process. You may be asked to provide contact information, including email addresses, for up to five references as part of the search process for this position. *Please note: All application materials must be submitted through CU Careers; emailed materials will not be considered.*
Background Check Statement:
The University of Colorado is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that a verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.
ADA Statement:
We are committed to an inclusive and barrier-free search process. We provide accommodations for applicants requesting accommodation through the search process such as alternative formats of this posting. Individuals with disabilities in need of accommodations throughout the search process should contact the ADA Coordinator at: systemhr@cu.edu.
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