Career Center

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $100,000 - $113,000

Position Summary

Columbia Global (CG) is a groundbreaking new initiative that aims to establish a unifying and strategic platform to promote and facilitate impactful engagement of the University???s faculty, students, and alumni with the world; enhance understanding; address global challenges; and advance knowledge and its exchange. Columbia Global aligns some of the University???s key global initiatives, including but not limited to the Columbia Global Centers, Columbia World Projects, and the Institute for Ideas and Imagination.

We seek a dynamic, proactive, and analytical Assistant Director of Financial Planning and Analysis. Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Assistant Director is responsible for budget strategy, budget planning, providing reporting and analyses on financial activities, forecasting/projections, special financial and cost analysis, implementing and enforcing internal controls, and collaborating closely with Columbia Global and Global Center Finance teams to ensure adherence to university financial policies and procedures. The incumbent will also be responsible for overseeing and supervising the work of direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for developing annual organizational and programmatic budgets in collaboration with the Director of Finance. This includes developing and revising financial projections for annual budgets and multi-year future forecasts, reviewing budget requests, and assisting the Finance Director in evaluating impacts and reporting on the status and drivers of the budget;
• Assist the Director of Finance in developing, revising, interpreting, and directing the implementation of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures related to the day-to-day financial operations and the long- and short-term goals and objectives of the Finance team and Columbia Global. Assure compliance with all applicable Columbia University financial policies, procedures, and provisions. Effectively communicate all issues to key stakeholders in a timely, appropriate, and succinct manner;
• With the Columbia Global Finance team, collaborate with the Office of Sponsored Projects and Office of Alumni Development to set up processes for the accurate and timely tracking of all grants and gifts/endowments that meet the University???s specified guidelines and regulations. Assist with the submission of required documentation of budgets, as required by Sponsored Projects. Oversee data analysis, reporting, and the preparation of monthly budget projections and burn rate, as well as monthly, quarterly, and annual budget tracking and variance analyses;
• Coordinate with the financial management team monthly to preview results and lead associated financial analysis and reporting. In support of month-end close, work directly with the financial management team to resolve issues ahead of the close and summarize preliminary data for the Director of Finance, highlighting significant issues or areas of concern;
• Assist the Director of Finance in the evaluation of savings ideas and new program requests, including analyses on volume, gross revenue, expense, and ROI impacts;
• Act as the primary budget contact. Oversee ad hoc budget development and reporting and the creation and management of chart strings;
• Demonstrate day-to-day leadership and guidance to staff by proactively managing and providing clear, timely, and University-compliant solutions on a wide range of financial and other administrative matters;
• Work with colleagues to document workplace procedures and processes and optimize efficiency through standardization. Train Columbia Global Centers??? local center financial managers and officers on relevant Columbia University policy and procedures;
• Effectively manage the timely planning and execution of self and team to deliver on team priorities;
• Proactively conduct analysis and review of operations, systems, and activities, and recommend areas for increased effectiveness and efficiency;
• Additional duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor???s degree required. Minimum five years of related experience. 

**Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume.**

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of University financial policies and systems (ARC, FDS, PAC, FFE, and FinSys) is preferred.

Other Requirements

• Relevant experience in areas of financial planning and analysis;
• Excellent financial, analytical, and customer problem resolution skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with cross-functional teams, including staff at all levels of the organization;
• Exceptional research and organizational skills;
• Ability to take initiative, establish priorities, and use good, independent judgment; 
• Ability to work under pressure and without supervision;
• Must be very well-organized and able to handle several tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion;  
• Ability to work as a team player in a fast-paced environment; 
• Must encourage and promote positive and effective communication amongst colleagues;
• Excellent computer skills, including advanced knowledge of Excel.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

About Columbia University

Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.

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