Job Description

Department Climate Institute Finance
About the Department The University of Chicago Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth (ICSG) is a groundbreaking effort uniting faculty from across the university to advance society's understanding of our energy and climate future. The Institute combines faculty insights in energy markets and policy, climate systems engineering, and energy technology to produce world-changing ideas while also investing in the next generation of energy and climate thinkers, leaders, and innovators through novel educational programs.
Job Summary The Finance Administrator will act as the primary financial and analytical liaison for assigned departments and initiatives, overseeing budget development and providing comprehensive financial management support. This role will drive the development and integration of unit-specific financial data analytics and reporting, focusing on establishing standardized metrics and methodologies to evaluate both University-wide and department-level financial performance. Additionally, the Finance Administrator will contribute to the formulation of long- and short-term financial goals, business strategies, and financial forecasts. The role involves coordinating quarterly and year-end reporting for the operating budget, leveraging a solid understanding of financial principles.
Responsibilities

• Analyzes, reviews, and tracks financial activities for the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth (ICSG), Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), Climate Systems Engineering Initiative (CSEi), the Energy and Environment Lab (E&E Lab), and other programs, with a focus on finance, auditing, budgeting, forecasting, and purchasing.
• Builds and maintains complex financial models using Excel and other tools.
• Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual variance reports; flags inconsistencies and submits account corrections as needed, both payroll and non-payroll.
• Prepares monthly reports, conducts and corrects errors in accounts using existing procedures that are in place, and provides advice on the financial impact of human resources and academic affairs decisions.
• Routinely prepares budgets, creates accounts; and monitors, allocates, authorizes, and controls expenses using the University's financial accounting system.
• Helps prepare monthly reports and identifies/corrects account errors using standard procedures.
• Plans, develops, and manages budgets, including multi-year forecasting.
• Assists the Finance Manager in the annual budget process, including preparing departmental budget packets and entering data into UCPlan.
• Monitors and reconciles actuals vs. budget; works with departments to understand variances and suggest course corrections.
• Oversees and tracks multi-year faculty fund support packages; provides periodic reports to faculty.
• Assists the Finance Manager in developing performance metrics and methodologies to evaluate financial health across units.
• Oversees review, approval, and reporting of expenditures, goods, services, and cost allocations.
• Prepares and submits financial transactions through Oracle and Concur; assists with payment processing and procurement.
• Supports staff with the GEMS system and ensures regular reconciliation of transactions.
• Coordinates calls for proposals and manages internal faculty grant awards.
• Assists in reviewing and executing contracts and data use agreements; liaise with vendors to ensure compliance with University standards.
• Works with UChicago Global and UC Trust to manage international fund transfers.
• Collaborates with the Clean Air team to oversee funding disbursements to global external partners.
• Acts as the primary account administrator, providing intensive customer service to account owners.
• Liaise with Financial Services and internal stakeholders as necessary.
• Helps develop and maintain a Financial Administration manual with key policies and procedures.
• Provides financial guidance related to HR and academic decisions.
• Ability to translate financial data into clear, actionable data visualization tools and dashboards to support financial reporting, forecasting, and decision-making.
• Work closely with the Finance Manager in organizing and synthesizing complex financial data into user-friendly reports for leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Assists in preparing presentations and training materials on financial and administrative topics for leadership and department members.
• Provides professional support as a primary account administrator for account owners in an intensive customer service environment.
• Analyzes and prepares budgets, creates accounts, and works with the financial accounting system to allocate, authorize, monitor, and control expenses.
• 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 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or related field.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Knowledge of financial computing and database software application.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, which includes advance usage of pivot tables, v-lookups, macros, and formatting.
• Knowledge of various financial principles, practices, and applications including budgeting, financial planning, and financial reporting.
• Familiarity with accounting systems and budget systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Preferred Competencies

• Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills. Detail-oriented and prioritize and complete multiple concurrent projects.
• Demonstrates capacity to work independently in an organized detailed manner while maintaining a collaborative team environment.
• Exercise sound judgment and absolute discretion regarding confidential matters with tact.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated time management skills to deliver high-integrity products within established deadlines.
• Personable, professional, and consultative work style.

Working Conditions

• Office environment; writing and typing, work at a computer for multiple hours.
• Fast-paced environment.
• Eligible for a partially remote work schedule.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Three Professional References Contact Information (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family Financial Management
Role Impact Individual Contributor
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 $70,000.00 - $77,000.00
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
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
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via
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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Skills Required