Senior Financial Analyst

at  Rice University

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:

All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format, to avoid any formatting issues.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Financial Analyst in the Budget Office plays a crucial role in driving strategic financial management and optimizing resource allocation at Rice University. This position will leverage advanced data analytics and develop and maintain robust modeling efforts to facilitate informed decision-making, collaborating with internal colleagues and external consultants. The Senior Financial Analyst supports financial analysis, focusing on aspects such as staffing levels, reserve levels, and prioritization of resource allocation to support the University’s mission.

WORKPLACE REQUIREMENTS

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• In lieu of the education/experience requirement, additional related education and/or experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
• 4+ Years’ Experience in creating and maintaining financial reports, dashboards and budget & forecast models
• In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted

SKILLS:

• Proven experience (5 years) in financial analysis, budgeting, or related fields, preferably within higher education or a complex organizational environment.
• Strong analytical skills, proficient in data manipulation, statistical analysis, and financial modeling.
• Experience collaborating with external consultants and managing consulting projects is desirable.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to distill complex financial concepts into clear and actionable insights for diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP, Tableau, or similar platforms a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to the mission and values of Rice University, with an interest in higher education and academic operations.

• Project Management: Work with Budget Office staff and broader Rice financial community and institutional research partners to analyze resource allocation trends both internally at Rice and externally with Rice’s peers.
• Data Procurement and Analysis: Procure, clean, and analyze data sets pertinent to financial resources, including budget allocations, revenue streams, and expenditure trends.
• Financial Resource Analysis: Conduct comprehensive analysis of FTE deployment across departments and units, evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of resource utilization.
• Modeling and Forecasting: Develop and maintain robust financial models to forecast budgetary outcomes, enabling proactive decision-making, and strategic planning.
• Reporting and Presentation: Prepare reports, presentations, and dashboards to communicate financial insights and recommendations to stakeholders, including senior management and academic leadership.
• Collaborate with External Consultants: Work closely with external consultants to define project scopes, identify relevant financial issues, and facilitate data acquisition for comprehensive analysis.
• Process Improvement: Continuously evaluate and enhance financial analysis processes, leveraging technological tools and best practices to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate with various departments, including Finance, Provost’s Office, and academic and support units to align financial strategies with broader institutional objectives.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.
  Applicants must be authorized to work for any US employer. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
  Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits-overview
  Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University
  Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels. It considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.
  Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities