Position Summary

The Department of Bioengineering is currently seeking a Finance and Business Manager (Finance Specialist III) to perform complex finance functions and activities with programmatic impact on the institution, requiring professional expertise and application of internal policies and systems and external regulations. The finance and business manager will be responsible for managing the day-to-day financial activities of the department and will work closely with the Department Chair, faculty, and staff to ensure the short-and long-term financial health of the department.

Essential Functions

• Performs highly analytical, complex finance and control functions; multi-dimensional and complex reconciliations and related analysis; prepares, reviews, and approves complex transactions and higher-level dollar value transactions
• Develops complex budget and forecasting scenarios, long-range planning and analyses for financial reporting and presentations; designs and runs ad hoc reports
• Recommends and develops solutions that may require policy changes or the development of new processes; maintains broader organizational and university perspective in decision making
• Manages compliance program for area of responsibility
• Leads and executes unit or cross-functional projects and teams, makes decisions regarding projects and programs affecting operational effectiveness, policies, or processes
• Engages in continuous critical analysis of existing systems and processes; makes recommendations to achieve greater efficiencies and improve internal controls
• Performs other duties as assigned

Additional Functions / Information

• Supervises the department's core accounting/finance personnel and research administrators
• Serves as a backup to the finance and accounting personnel during absences
• Assists the Chair and Department Administrator with special projects

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or related field
• Five years of finance experience in higher education; experience with projections
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Advanced knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning and financial systems
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Strong attention to details
• Advanced professional communication skills, including the ability to prepare materials for and clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences, client groups, and management
• Strong project management skills and ability to contribute to or lead part of a multi-functional team

Substitutions

• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in research administration and research project financial management
• Working knowledge of Oracle Cloud products
• Advanced ability to perform complex accounting functions, including grant and department financial projection reports
• Advanced ability to research problems both logically and efficiently, with accuracy and thoroughness
• Advanced ability to set priorities and meet strict deadlines
• Advanced computer skills particularly with Microsoft Excel and Word

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and 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.

Current Rice University COVID policies, which include vaccination, face mask, testing, gatherings, occupancy limits, and travel policies can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies