Assistant Director of Finance & Budget – Lab of Ornithology

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The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is seeking an Assistant Director of Finance & Budget.

The Lab of Ornithology is a globally renowned nonprofit institution that advances research, education, citizen science, and conservation to improve the understanding and protection of birds and biodiversity. A vibrant unit within Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Lab has 6 interdisciplinary centers directed by full-time faculty and staff. The Lab is committed to fostering a healthy workplace that values diverse perspectives and backgrounds as well as supporting growth and advancement opportunities.

The Lab is an inclusive community, and we recognize that diverse, inclusive communities create more innovative and impactful work to address global challenges and benefit humanity and nature. The Lab is committed to fostering a healthy workplace that values diverse perspectives and backgrounds as well as supporting growth and advancement opportunities. The Lab welcomes staff who are still learning in their careers and who are motivated to take on new challenges.

What You Will Do

Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Finance and Contracts, and in collaboration with the financial  team, the Assistant Director of Finance and Budget will be responsible for the following:

• Provide high level, confidential financial support for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

• Provide day-to-day work direction/supervision to Accountant-Financial Business Partner and business center transaction specialist.

• Provide essential financial reporting and budget development support for all programs within the Lab; with detailed support responsibilities for general operations, IT, facilities  and Executive Director funds.

• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Finance and Contracts, monitor and analyze the Lab’s operational and capital budget and activity.

• Participate in all budget, forecast and reporting meetings with center directors and Executive Director under the direction of the Senior Director of Finance and Contracts. 

• Coordinate the preparation and consolidation of the Lab’s budget, currently at $46.1 million in expenditures. 

• Monitor over 1,000 active accounts, and multiple complex funding sources including grants , restricted and unrestricted gifts , general funds , membership reconciliations for over $21M annual revenue and multiple streams of ecommerce transactions.

• Responsible for internal and external executive level financial reporting, budget analysis, forecasting and disbursement approvals.  

• Interpret policies and establish review procedures to assure appropriate stewardship of university, donor, and sponsored funds. Recommend appropriate alternative strategies for management of revenue and expenditures within policy guidelines. 

• Develop complex reports to monitor and support proactive decisions, ensure appropriate funds management and compliance, and oversee analyses and ad-hoc reporting to support management in achieving operational objectives.

• Develop, implement and enhance financial processes and systems to improve overall collaboration, organization, and accuracy. 

• Collaborate with the Lab’s financial team in the maintenance, review and establishment of effective and efficient operational support practices for transactions, customer service and compliance with college and university policies. 

• Prepare semiannual financial reports for the Lab’s Administrative Board and Finance Committee.

• Serve as backup to the Senior Director of Finance and Contracts for Friends of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology investments which  include reporting, management and transactions.

• Serve as primary backup for all financial matters in the absence of the Senior Director of Finance and Contracts.

This position is located at the Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York. This position is in-person but a hybrid work arrangement might be considered in the future.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Your Total Rewards

Salary range is $82,500 – $90,770

Check out the Top 10 Benefits Cornell Employees Love !

Cornell provides great benefits that include educational benefits, access to a plethora of wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, health care options to choose from, generous paid leave provisions: 3 weeks of vacation leave, health and personal leave, 13 paid holidays (including end of year winter break through New Year’s Day), educational benefits, and superior retirement contributions.

What We Need from You

• Bachelor’s Degree in financial/business management.

• A minimum of 5 years of financial or accounting experience in a complex academic or research setting.

• Demonstrated expertise in budgeting and financial reporting/principles; excellent analytical, data interpretation, and forecasting skills required.

• Advanced proficiency with computer applications for financial management and reporting (e.g., MS Excel, MS Word, Powerpoint).

• Comfortable working with new and developing administrative systems.

Prior supervisory and leadership experience is required. Must be able to communicate and present information to a variety of audiences. Excellent oral/written communication, organizational, and time management skills are essential. Ability to establish and sustain effective relationships with all constituents. Ability to work with and represent work units professionally and ethically with tact, diplomacy, and advocacy.  Must have the ability to interpret policy and solicit input from college and university resources to inform management decisions. Use sound judgment in decision making and in accomplishing tasks that are urgent or of a sensitive or confidential nature, while meeting competing deadlines and priorities. Ability to foster a team environment while meeting individual and unit goals in accordance with the broader mission. Requires conceptual and imaginative thinking in a highly complex atmosphere. 

If you possess these experiences and skills, this may be the role for you! 

We would view these additional qualifications as incredibly helpful in this role:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field.

• 7 or more years concentrated experience in a financial office setting involving complex financial structures and multiple revenue sources.

• Cornell experience with policies and procedures in the areas of accounting, budgeting, procurement, and disbursements strongly preferred.

• Knowledge and expertise in the use of Cornell on-line systems:  KFS, OAS financial dashboards, Workday, Longview, RASS, and Concur.

How to Apply:

You must submit both a Resume and Cover letter.  ​

When applying through our system, please attach your application materials (resume and cover letter). You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website. If you are an internal employee, please log in to Workday .

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university’s mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations.

  

University Job Title:

Mgr Finance I

Job Family:

Fin/Budget/Planning

Level:

F

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$76,332.00 – $88,710.00

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Denise Smith

Number of Openings:

0

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience.

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.

• Unique applicable skills.

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EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose, and contribute creative ideas to further the university’s mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

2022-11-05-07:00