Rice is a private, independent university dedicated to the "advancement of letters, science, and art."​ Rice attracts a diverse group of highly talented students with a range of academic studies that includes humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, architecture, music, and business management. The school offers students the advantage of forging close relationships with members of the faculty and the option of tailoring graduate and undergraduate studies to their specific interests. The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department provides high quality undergraduate and graduate degree programs, which emphasize fundamental principles that respond to and create technological change.

All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format, to avoid any formatting issues.

Position Summary

The Senior Financial Data Analyst performs complex financial analysis and activities with programmatic impact on the university. This position provides expert advisory support to campus units in the development of budget reports to enhance the understanding of budget to actuals, variance analysis, and other financial reporting and analytics needs. The Senior Financial Data Analyst manages special projects and analyses that are broad in scope and support budget planning, strategic planning, and capital planning initiatives.

Essential Functions

• Performs highly analytical, complex finance and control functions, multi-dimensional and complex reconciliations and related analysis.
• Develops complex budget and forecasting scenarios, long-range planning and analyses for financial reporting and presentations; designs and runs ad hoc reports.
• Supports university leadership in preparing reports and analysis for the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees meetings. Integrates financial strategic decisions into the budget model.
• Recommends and develops solutions that may require policy changes or the development of new processes; maintains broader organizational and university perspectives in decision-making.
• Works closely with schools and departments to ensure school-based budget reports are accurate and consistent with university policy and procedure. Aids and advises on specific budgetary reporting issues as they arise during the year.
• Engages in continuous critical analysis of existing systems and processes; makes recommendations to achieve greater efficiencies and improve internal controls.
• Leads and supports unit and organization strategy and change management initiatives.
• Represents organization to client groups and external partners; serves as subject matter expert on matters that involve complex budget analysis and reporting.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any US employer. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Ideal Candidate Statement

The ideal candidate has excellent financial and analytics skills and is proactive and service-oriented to provide the necessary support to the Budget Office, collaborate with various departments, and provide critical insights to support data-informed decision-making.

Workplace Requirements

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. On-campus and hybrid schedules will be determined at a later time. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree

• In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted.
• 3+ Years’ experience in creating and maintaining financial reports, dashboards and budget & forecast models
• 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

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to apply financial and analytical skills based on a firm understanding of the mission, strategy and operating principles of the school/unit.
• High level user of standard business computer systems and software including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and other business support resources.
• Advanced professional communication skills, including ability to prepare materials for and clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences, including Board of Trustees, senior leadership team, Deans and VPs, and financial management personnel.
• Strong project management skills and ability to contribute to or lead part of a multi- functional team

Preferences

• Master’s Degree preferred
• Knowledge of Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP and Tableau
• Excel modeling