Director, Finance

Department

SING Polsky Operations - Administration

About the Department

The Polsky Center’s mission is to advance innovative ideas and technologies from the University of Chicago ecosystem to the world. Our 60 person staff is dedicated to supporting faculty, students, staff, and alumni, as well as other entrepreneurs and community-based small business owners, in navigating the complex process of bringing new products, services, and research to market. The Polsky Center’s programming includes a top-ranked business accelerator, the Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge; a multi-disciplinary co-working space called the Polsky Exchange; the George Shultz Innovation Fund that invests in early-stage ventures; and deep tech accelerators focused on quantum, data science and AI, and clean tech ventures. In addition, the Polsky Center houses the University of Chicago’s technology transfer unit, which manages all University-based intellectual property originating from faculty research and its commercialization.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Chief of Staff and working closely with other senior leadership at Polsky, the Finance Director oversees finance, accounting, budget, procurement and internal audit responsibilities for the Polsky Center, with the opportunity to work on other operations and strategic initiatives as needed. In doing so, the Finance Director will play a critical role in the Polsky Center’s ability to bring scientific research advances to the world through commercialization, support students in entrepreneurial careers, and support community-based small businesses.

The Director will work closely with senior management to deliver high-quality information and perspective regarding financial performance, long range financial planning, potential risk, and internal operations. In addition, this position will play a key role in internal financial controls and compliance and in ensuring strong internal operations that support our mission and strategic priorities. The Director will work closely with staff from the Technology Ventures team at the Polsky Center to ensure all financial data captured on intellectual property, license agreements, facilities usage and startup ventures is accurate and complete.

This role manages a team of professional staff responsible for the financial management of operating and capital budgets for divisions and/or University-wide administrative units. Develops long and short term plans to achieve financial goals, business strategies/plans, and financial forecasts/models for all major service programs and initiatives. Manages quarterly and year-end reporting for the operating budget.

Responsibilities

• Manages and develops staff.
• Leads the development and analysis of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial planning cycles including budget, forecast, and long-range strategic plans.
• Manages the timely and accurate preparation of relevant financial statements, activity reports, financial position forecasts, and other reports as required by regulatory agencies.
• Prepares timely value-add financial analysis, key performance indicators and dashboards to drive decision-making with senior leadership, including providing a full view of Polsky Center financials and projections across teams.
• Communicates financial updates and strategic recommendations to senior management in a concise, clear, and timely manner.
• Implements efficient and effective strategic and operational long-range plans by leveraging business-driven inputs, performance metrics and a robust sales and investment pipeline.
• Oversees all financial aspects of internal and external audit engagements by closely partnering with auditors, senior management, executive and operational committees, and other stakeholders at the University.
• Implements, improves, and oversees Polsky Center operational efficiency, strengthens internal controls, and enhances the utilization of ERP systems.
• Ensures timely compliance of federal, state, and local governmental and international requirements.
• Oversees unit-wide compliance and adherence to procurement policies, fund and gift management, program execution and overall revenue generation stewardship.
• Creates business-driven financial analyses, ensuring alignment with business strategies, priorities, and financial requirements.
• Collaborates across Polsky Center teams to ensure the necessary documentation and projection of financial aspects of Polsky programming. This includes patent applications and patent prosecution, license and interinstitutional agreements, and science venture equity and investments; science incubator and accelerator programs; community entrepreneur support; and facilities charges and space use.
• Develops strong partnerships with a broad range of key internal stakeholders, including the Budget Office, Financial Services, and Office of Legal Counsel, and external stakeholders, including partners and collaborators in higher education, industry, and government.
• Assists with unit-wide priorities in-line with changing business priorities, through rigorous resource tracking, reporting and financial forecasting.
• Develops and leads the implementation of change management initiatives, such as shared services outsourcing, and other strategic Center-wide projects which may address internal operations, procurement, or new strategic initiatives being managed through the Chief of Staff’s team.
• Recommends the management of operating and capital budgets, information and accounting systems, revenue billing and collection, and monitors expenditures on active accounts.
• Manages the development, monitoring, and evaluation of a consolidated annual and intermediate (typically three to five year) budget plan and budget process for a unit, as well as actual performance against budget.
• Manages the preparation of financial statements, activity reports, financial position forecasts, and/or reports required by regulatory agencies.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Graduate degree in relevant field.​

Experience:

• 7+ years of progressive experience leading the end-to-end development of budgets, strategic business plans, revenue/expense forecasts, monthly results analysis, or operational improvements in industry, government or consulting.
• Background in higher education a plus, particularly if coupled with a strong background in industry, government, or consulting.
• Proven record of increased responsibility in financial planning and analysis change and project management, operations transformation and optimization roles.
• 3+ years demonstrated supervisory and team development.
• Prior experience with technology transfer and patent and IP management.
• Proven track record of superior financial and strategic analysis and operational improvement savviness.

Certifications:

• CPA or other relevant certification.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• In-depth knowledge of finance and accounting principles, laws, and best practices.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel coupled with previous experience using financial/accounting systems.

Preferred Competencies

• Influential leader with robust critical thinking, strategic mindset, and take abstract concepts into solutions.
• Outstanding leader who can effectively develop and manage a team to consistently deliver outstanding results to senior management.
• Excellent communicator with superior writing and presentation skills.
• Prioritize tasks, work on multiple assignments.
• Anticipate industry, market, academic and regional change to develop an action plan that will support unit’s success and deliver business demands.
• Thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment and exhibit the highest personal and professional standards of integrity.
• Consistently display initiative, motivation, discipline, and work effectively and autonomously.
• Cultivate finance environment that challenges tradition and inspires innovation.
• Relentlessly pursue financial excellence and optimization.
• Plan, prioritize and oversee multiple projects, and meet deadlines for deliverables.
• Effectively manage and empower team’s high performance.
• Proactive and follow through with attention to detail.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

Job Family

Financial Management

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$125,000.00 - $162,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

In addition to the base pay posted above, this position may be eligible for A team metrics-based bonus

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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