Fiscal Services Manager (Hybrid Opportunity)

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Fiscal Services Manager provides financial, administrative, and programmatic support to the UMass Amherst Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS) business units (with a focus on the Core Facilities).

The Fiscal Services Manager prepares, analyzes, and maintains financial data, including performing account reconciliations; forecasting; preparing fiscal reports for distribution to the IALS leadership team, executive groups, and core research facilities staff; and acting as a resource to staff on financial matters.

Essential Functions

Financial Administration

In conjunction with the IALS Finance & Operations Director and the Director of Core Facilities:

• Serves as the financial authority for the Core Facilities services group, oversees the daily operation of accounting functions, including billing and accounts receivable for revenue operations. Reconciles general ledger accounts, budget realignments and transfers; ensures accuracy of recorded data.

• Organizes quarterly budget review, annual rate setting (including market review), and unrelated business income tax (UBIT) analysis. Builds financial models to promote growth and stability across all operations and assesses the viability of revenue areas.

• Manages department revenue account(s) including budget preparation and requests for new fees/accounts.  Projects revenues and expenses and advises Cores and campus constituents of current and projected fee schedules.

• Works closely with IALS Leadership to effect complex financial coordination and accounting and to develop and implement serial, as well as ad hoc, core facility reporting.

• Assists with core facility financial support including rate calculations, revenue/expense analysis, and grant support.

• Compiles and analyzes financial data for trends and variance explanations with respect to budgeting, accounting, strategic planning, and forecasting as assigned by IALS leadership; clearly and concisely presents to leadership substantiating conclusions with detailed analysis.

• Ensures compliance with federal service center and University policies, with financial oversight governed by 2CFR200, Uniform Guidance.

• Recommends solutions to solve complex administrative/procedural problems.

• Manages and executes procurement processes, to include processing agreements with vendors and subcontractors; maintains necessary documents for purchase orders, contract for services, and sole source documentation.

• Reviews accounting procedures and makes recommendations backed by appropriate analysis and judgment regarding strategic issues needing clarification and/or resolution.

• Supervises and supports other team members with travel and expense reimbursements, billing, reconciling, and maintaining accounting records for the Core Facilities.

• Trains and collaborates with staff members on financial projects, policies, and procedures.

• Serves as a liaison to Core research facilities staff, central offices such as the Controller's Office, Procurement, and Budget Office. Creates and executes queries and reports to research and respond to inquiries.

Administrative Support

• Plans and coordinates workshops, meetings, conferences, and events related to the campus core research facilities as necessary.

• Serves in a back-up role for other department staff as needed.

• Establishes and maintains positive, collaborative relationships with internal and external customers with an exemplary commitment to customer service and respect for diverse communities.

• Attends training sessions, workshops, and meetings to develop and maintain skills and knowledge of financial management and core facility fiscal policies.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Associate's degree and more than three (3) years' relevant experience. Seven (7) years' related experience may be substituted for associate's degree.

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office products including (MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel).

• Demonstrated experience in providing fiscal support including financial management, account reconciliation and project monitoring.

• Ability to compile, analyze, and interpret complex data.

• Attention to detail and high level of accuracy.

• Strong computer, data management, and analytical skills.

• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills and the ability to interact comfortably with a diverse group of people including faculty, students, staff, administrative personnel, and vendors.

• Ability to set priorities, multi-task, work independently, and perform well under pressure and time constraints.

• Willingness and ability to quickly learn new skills and software.

• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information and material.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with varying amounts of support given and received.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Experience with enterprise data retrieval or accounting systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, Summit, CORUM).

• Experience working in an academic environment.

• Understanding of state and federal funding streams.

• Functional knowledge of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.

Additional Details

• Must have the flexibility to travel within Massachusetts on an as-needed basis.

• This position will report to the IALS Finance & Operations Director, with a dotted line to the Director of Core Facilities.

Work Schedule

• Monday

• Friday, 8:30 am

• 5 pm.

• Work performed in addition to the regular work hours may be necessary and may require a change in availability at specific times to accommodate for variations in work demands.

• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Salary Level 26

Exempt Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Mar 25 2024 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: Jun 30 2024 Eastern Daylight Time