Analyst, Graduate Student Funding

Department: Office of Budget and Planning
Salary/Grade: EXS/8

Job Summary
The Office of Budget and Planning serves as the steward of resources and trusted advisor for units across Northwestern in order to support decision-making and enable strategy. Within the Office, the Analyst for Graduate Student Funding serves as a primary resource for financial analysis and reporting related to PhD, MFA, and master's degree programs housed within The Graduate School (TGS). Reporting to the Senior Manager of Graduate Student Funding, this position supports the strategic allocation and management of all finances and reporting related to graduate student funding for TGS degree programs and will contribute to annual and multi-year planning processes and ongoing financial, data, and reporting needs related to graduate student funding.

The primary responsibilities of the Analyst include preparing complex financial reports for University leadership and conducting financial and data analysis to assist the team in informing strategic planning and decision making for graduate student funding. At the direction of the Senior Manager, this role will work closely with financial staff in the Schools to develop and review data, reports, forecasts and budgets for graduate student funding. This role will also work closely with TGS staff to understand and coordinate graduate student enrollment, funding sources, and other transactions.

This role supports the Senior Associate Vice President for Budget and Planning and the Senior Manager for Graduate Student Funding in developing financial information and executing special projects as directed.

Specific Responsibilities:

• The Analyst for Graduate Student Funding conducts financial analysis and provides financial overviews to inform strategic planning and decision making related to graduate student funding.
• Supports the Senior Manager of Graduate Student Funding to develop materials and information for strategic meetings with University leadership. This includes financial information, analysis, enrollment information, resource allocation analysis and recommendations.
• Works closely with financial staff in the Schools to develop and review strategic financial plans, student enrollment trends, budgets, and other information.
• Performs complex financial account reconciliations, statement analysis, and transaction research and recommends changes to tools to improve this analysis.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business or finance and 2 years of budget and financial analysis experience, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience in which comparable skills are developed.
• Working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, database and graphical presentation software.
• Experience working with large data sets
• Strong analytical, written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with staff at all levels.
• An understanding of higher education issues and policy-setting procedures.
• Substantial experience in resource planning and analysis.
  

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Ability to operate strategically and think critically about economic forecasting and data-driven analysis.
• Ability to provide very high levels of service, confidentiality, professionalism, collegial attitude, and working well with details.
• Excellent judgment and problem-solving skills including negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Experience with word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.
• Ability to work in an environment where teamwork is highly valued.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Critical thinking skills, and an interest in analyzing data and information.
  

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Previous experience in financial, planning, and analysis role in a corporate or higher education setting.
• Previous financial planning and analysis (FP&A) experience in a corporate or non-profit setting.
• Experience with modern enterprise financial systems.
• Experience working with and developing PhD funding models and processes.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Verbal and written presentation skills.
• Collaboration and team-building skills.
• Data-driven information sharing through dashboards or presentations
  

This is a hybrid position with the target hiring range for this position will be between $70,000 - 90,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

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Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.