JOB DESCRIPTION:
NORC at the University of Chicago is seeking an Associate Director, Financial Management and Analysis in our Chicago office. The Associate Director is responsible for management of a team of financial analysts and financial monitoring for a group of research departments and its portfolio of projects supporting clients ranging from US federal government agencies to commercial clients.

The Associate Director will add value through strong management skills, critical thinking, and a growth mindset, by leading a team responsible for financial planning, analysis, and cost monitoring against contract deliverables and funding in a rapidly evolving research landscape. Leverage your strong finance background to drive process and policy improvements with an emphasis on quality assurance. You will be responsible for establishing roles and responsibilities to increase and improve research support, create efficiencies, and remove barriers for the finance team. Add value by communicating effectively and providing early warnings to encourage proactive solutions, which support the advancement of the organizational goals and initiatives of each function. Associate Directors require the ability to develop strong relationships, organize a cadence for the finance team to support business need, recognize issues and implement solutions.
DEPARTMENT:
NORC's Financial Management and Analysis department plays a pivotal role across the entire NORC ecosystem. Members of the team ensure that NORC's financial management functions are fully aligned and integrated so we can support NORC's work to provide trustworthy data to decision-makers around the world. The FM&A department directly supports research departments and projects, and works closely with the other administrative departments, particularly the Accounting and Finance and Contracts and Grants, to navigate the complex government regulatory environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead a team of financial analysts that support a group of internal research departments, in the daily responsibilities associated with project budget monitoring and management of spending against funding
• Offer sound judgment and financial monitoring/advice to department leadership related to revenue and indirect spending associated with their departments including cost/benefit decisions, prioritization of initiatives, and annual revenue planning
• Ensure financial analyst compliance with all accounting standards and regulations, contract requirements, and internal financial policies
• Participate in assessment of resource needs, hiring, and growth and development of financial analysts, including annual performance evaluations
• Work closely with the director and corporate finance team to review and create financial policies and procedures and train finance and non-finance staff
• Participation in high profile, high risk, and complex projects and proposals including direct involvement and oversight of other finance staff contributing to the effort
• Assistance with prioritization and mediation, as needed, between project and proposal teams and finance staff

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Bachelor's Degree in finance, accounting, economics, or related area is required; MBA preferred
• At least seven (7) years of experience handling a wide range of financial responsibilities as a senior financial analyst, financial analyst, or a similar role with cost accounting experience, preferably in a professional services/consulting or contract research company

• Exceptional written, oral, and presentation skills, including , including ability to communicate effectively and explain complex issues in a way that is appropriate for the intended audience

• Experience developing and implementing processes and procedures to ensure staff adhere to all departmental and corporate standards, rules, and regulations
• Deep understanding of federal government accounting regulations and accounting and contractual structures (i.e., FAR, OMB), with experience understanding contracting terms as they relate to financial matters for research projects
• Hands on financial planning and analysis experience, demonstrating strong analytic and problem solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to collaborate with staff across departments and levels
• Ability to mentor individuals and promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement
• High degree of proficiency with Microsoft products and prior experience with ERP software. Cost Point and FocusPoint experience is a plus

WHAT WE DO:
NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with us to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge.
WHO WE ARE:
For over 75 years, NORC has evolved in many ways, moving the needle with research methods, technical applications and groundbreaking research findings. But our tradition of excellence, passion for innovation, and commitment to collegiality have remained constant components of who we are as a brand, and who each of us is as a member of the NORC team. With world-class benefits, a business casual environment, and an emphasis on continuous learning, NORC is a place where people join for the stellar research and analysis work for which we're known, and stay for the relationships they form with their colleagues who take pride in the impact their work is making on a global scale.
EEO STATEMENT:
NORC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that values and actively seeks diversity in the workforce. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other legally- protected characteristics.