Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis

MISSION

For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.

Please click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Expected Range: $80,360 - $100,450 Annually*  
• Benefits
• PTO Overview
• Job Classification: Full-Time Salaried Staff
• Grade Level: 9

*The expected range is an estimated amount. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

BASIC FUNCTION

Oversees the preparation of the annual operating budget, including preparing templates for distribution to Vice Presidents and Deans, reviewing files upon submission, providing data to the Enterprise Analytics team for upload, and reviewing final departmental budgets once uploaded to the budgeting software.  Prepares and delivers annual budget training to stakeholders in conjunction with the Financial Planning & Analysis Vice President and Executive Director. Collects, tracks, and analyzes data for periodic operating budget updates, projection adjustments, and input updates to budgeting software. Supports the development of financial reporting tools and analysis for evaluating the School’s financial performance, financial plan, strategic projects and financial transactions. Conducts financial analysis and summarizes variances that are utilized for Finance Committee.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Administers and leads the annual operating budget process.

• Collects, tracks, and analyzes revenue and expense data for periodic operating budget updates, projections, and variance analysis reports.

• Analyzes and recommends budget projections with updates developed into Finance Committee presentations.

• Prepares graphs, charts, financial analysis, ad hoc reporting, and written narrative to be incorporated into Board level presentations supporting the Vice President for Financial Planning & Analysis.

• Develops, monitors, and analyzes a consolidated annual and multi-year budget (3-5 year) plan and process.

• Serves as primary contact for Vice Presidents, Deans, and other staff with questions/issues relating to departmental operating budgets. Collaborates with Senior Accountant to handle questions relating to reporting and accounting-related matters.

• Interfaces with Central Administration regarding budgeting and accounting-related matters as needed.

• Provides financial information as requested for bond compliance, accreditation, and external surveys/reporting.

• Assists Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis and Executive Director, Financial Planning and Analysis as needed with financial presentations and additional projects.

• Delivers ad-hoc reporting and analysis as needed to aid finance and leadership decision-making

• As new opportunities and challenges are presented to the School leaders, this position will be expected to be a key member of the FP&A team who conducts analyses and makes recommendations that support decisions beneficial to the School.

• Identifies and addresses areas for process improvement within finance operations, including the enterprise resource planning, reporting services tool, and budget development systems.

• Contributes to the quarterly and annual accounting close, including but not limited to: journal entries, accruals and reconciliations.

• Assists with capital and salary budgeting as needed.

• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related business field is required.

• Minimum 5-7 years of budget and accounting related experience is required, preferably in higher education.

• Advanced Excel skills required.

• Experience with budgeting and accounting software required with a preference for Cognos budgeting software and Peoplesoft accounting software.

• Ability to work and communicate effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization possessing varying levels of accounting knowledge is required.

• Hybrid work schedule with 2 days on site required.

CLOSING STATEMENT

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.

Salary : $80,360 - $100,450