Department: MCC Administration
Salary/Grade: EXS/5

Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science is redefining engineering education and research through its pioneering “Whole-Brain Engineering” philosophy, integrating the elements of left-brain thinking — analysis, logic, synthesis, and math — with the kind of high-level right-brain thinking that fosters intuition, metaphorical thought, and creative problem solving. Augmenting the analytical core of engineering with substantial initiatives in design, entrepreneurship, leadership and personal development, and unusual collaborations that span disciplines, Northwestern Engineering students and faculty are prepared to take the world in a whole new direction.

Northwestern Engineering comprises more than 1,800 undergraduate students, 2,000 graduate students, 190 faculty members across nine academic departments and varied programs, centers, and institutes. Northwestern Engineering staff members support innovative academic programs, an intellectual footprint that deepens the frontiers of knowledge, partnerships that catalyze education and research, and a diverse culture that embraces different viewpoints and ideas.

Job Summary:

Manages McCormick School of Engineering budget and financial operations, analysis and reporting in support of our school’s mission. Key contributor to annual budget planning and monitoring financial performances.  Guides school’s units through budgeting process.  Leverages understanding of revenue allocations and expense budget compilation to support unique research for non-recurring requests for information.  Supports the school’s faculty and staff payroll functions including faculty summer salary and faculty direct charging to grants.  Key contact for Development Office for gift and endowment management. Please submit a cover letter for full consideration.

Specific Responsibilities:

Budget:

• Prepares materials for annual budget planning such as analysis, budget performance reports & year-end close data.

• Guides McCormick units through budgeting process, identifying issues and implementing corrections.
• Leverages understanding of revenue allocations and expense budget compilation to support unique research for non-recurring requests for information made by deans and finance leadership.
• Primary financial contact for designated offices such as Dean’s Offices, Centers/Institutes and Recharge Center includes regular contact/support, issue maintenance and reporting of impact to quarterly financial projections and annual budget planning.
• Prepares gifts and endowments budgets across school and tracks usage.
• Monitors McCormick Recharge Centers
• Tracks endowed professorship appointments relative to available endowment funds and ensures endowment budget planning in support of salary and stipend.

Analysis, Statements & Reporting:

• Creates daily, monthly &/or annual analysis & reports regarding area/unit, grants &/or awards, accounts, funds, payroll, expense &/or revenue allocation, etc. 
• Assists with monthly/quarterly/annual journal entries, reports and statements.

• Ad hoc financial assignments for projects/initiatives.
• Prepares new chart string requests and reviews submitted chart string requests for consistency and accuracy.

Transactions:

• Provides review and oversight of all types of financial transactions some of which may be complex in regard to size or duration of account. 
• Reviews; ensures approval based on alternatives regarding practice & policy; analyzes and classifies transactions in accordance with established chart or coding of accounts; creates new accounts; prepares, processes, reconciles & provides receipts (as appropriate) for transactions. 

• Approves all school weekly payroll as school-level approver for funding, journals, summer salary and additional pay
• Tracks faculty and staff leave of absences and ensures payroll journals are processed to reimburse staff leaves.
• Monitors suspense accounts across the school and follows through to ensure attention by units.

Grants &/or Awards:

• Prepares summer/research quarter and academic year payroll and for faculty in McCormick’s nine academic departments; as the subject matter expert updates policies, communicates process and deadlines, identifies errors and problem solves, generate summary reports for academic departments and deans that includes analysis of findings and recommendations.

Administration:

• Key contact for Development Office for gift and endowment management.  Monitors incoming donor funds set up with consistency, notifications to units and supports development of spending plans for McCormick Administration and units.
• Preps monthly cash gift reports and sends out to all school units.

Training:

• Assists with training of new staff members
• Creates & provides financial training on practice, procedure, policy &/or laws & regulations to customers.

• Cross-train with finance team members to support time off or vacancies.

Miscellaneous:

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as accounting, business administration, finance, or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.  
• 1 year financial, budgeting &/or preparing account reconciliations or financial statements along with financial analysis or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Excellent computer skills including proficiency in the use of spreadsheet, database and word processing software.
• Familiarity with financial reporting.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Knowledge of MS Access.
• Adaptability, collaboration, excellent verbal and written communications skills.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.