HOW TO APPLY

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached to your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

JOB SUMMARY

The University of Michigan’s Center for Global Health Equity was launched by a catalytic gift from Dr. Tachi and Leslie Yamada, and was generously matched by the University. The Center brings together faculty and students from across the U-M community, leveraging expertise from multiple disciplines in pursuit of novel solutions to global health challenges that can positively impact individuals in low-income settings.
The Financial Specialist reports to and partners with the Managing Director to provide financial support for the Center and ensure its strong fiscal health. The Financial Specialist will play a key role in advising Center Leadership on the alignment of resources with core services, signature funding programs, and educational and research opportunities that support a diverse group of U-M faculty members and collaborators. The successful candidate will be able to work independently; build strong collaborative relationships both within U-M and with our international partners; perform at a consistently high level under pressure; demonstrate outstanding customer service, organizational and technical skills; and exercise sound judgment to meet the unique needs of various activities within the Center.
Key Competencies: Financial management, strategic thinking, problem solving, data and results driven, business acumen, and decision making.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS*

• Bachelor’s degree or higher, preferably in business, finance, health administration, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Proficiency and knowledge of procurement processes and guidelines.
• Experience applying fundamental financial concepts and practices to business needs.
• High degree of initiative and resourcefulness to address uncommon financial tasks, especially related to working with global collaborators.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and appropriately determine when to ask questions or ask for help.
• Exceptional attention to detail, excellent problem solving, critical thinking and organizational skills, self-starter, and ability to multitask and meet deadlines.
• Respond in a timely manner to requests and questions about the budget, expenditures, etc.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, including experience interpreting and presenting financial information to a broad range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaborate effectively as part of a team.
• Excellent customer service orientation.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Senior Level:

• 3-5 years of financial, accounting, and/or business-related experience.

Intermediate Level:

• Minimum of 2 years of financial, accounting, and/or business-related experience

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS*

• Familiarity with U-M accounting models and university financial policies, including procurement requirements; business travel/hosting expense guidelines; sponsored projects and internal controls.
• Strong data analysis skill set and experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Data warehouse, etc.).
• Advanced skills in Excel and enterprise-level data systems (e.g., M-Reports, M-Pathways, and Business Objects.
• Experience reconciling expenses on sponsored projects.
• Experience working with international partners or in an international setting.
• Interest and commitment to improving health equity in low-resource settings.

RESPONSIBILITIES*

• Budget and Planning: Coordinate the development and execution of budgets and financial planning for the Center. Provide financial forecasting and modeling and prepare annual budget materials. Identify areas for improvement and recommend alternative actions to address budgetary needs.
• Financial Processes: Analyze and implement financial processes and controls to ensure appropriate management of Center resources. Monitor incoming and outgoing financial commitments for the Center and reconcile all accounts and project grants. Initiate and process journal entries and Emburse expense reports. Assist faculty and staff with expense classification, internal and external fund transfers (including international), and travel or P-Card questions.
• Internal Controls: Complete annual review of internal controls, monitor Center written procedures, and certify annual financial results and internal controls with approval from the Center Director and Managing Director. Identify and implement appropriate courses of action to fill gaps in internal controls.
• Faculty and Staff Effort: Track and monitor faculty and staff effort for Center operations and affiliated projects. Assist the Center Director and Managing Director in making decisions about faculty and staff effort commitments and prepare supporting documentation as needed. Provide support for annual effort certification. Create and/or approve personnel action requests (PARs) in the Human Resources system for FTE related transactions.
• Sponsored Projects: Support faculty with pre- and post-award financial activities. Prepare budget materials for grant submissions. Post-award, create and monitor new sponsored projects, sub-accounts, and change requests. Assist with subcontracts, financial progress reports, and close-out of sponsored projects.
• Policies and Communication: Interpret University-level and unit-level financial policies and procedures for Center colleagues as well as faculty and staff on affiliated project teams. Communicate financial and operational information in a meaningful way to non-finance stakeholders (e.g., use of data visualization tools, customized reports, etc.).
• Center Liaison: Serve as a liaison for financial matters with other U-M units and international partners. Engage in relevant communities of practice across the university to learn and share best practices in financial management and operations. Assist our international partners in navigating financial arrangements for collaborative projects (Center funded and externally sponsored).
• Center Staff: Participate as an active member of the Center staff, providing input and ideas during weekly operations, tactical, and strategic meetings; support events and programs as a member of the Center staff when needed.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• If/as needed, willingness to engage in a flexible work schedule to attend early morning meetings and/or late meetings.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.