HUIT (Harvard University Information Technology) Finance is seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Financial Analyst with experience in budgets, financial modeling and multi-year project management to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will act as a key liaison between Finance and other business units, providing financial insights, analysis, and support to drive informed decision-making. They will play a crucial role in overseeing financial aspects related to operating and sponsored billing projects.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
Budgeting and Forecasting:
- In coordination with the Director, drive the creation and execution of annual budgets, forecasts, and long-term financial plans.
- Help in development and implementation of strategies for budgeting; forecasting, modeling & projecting; identifying & explaining variances; financial reporting; internal controls; expense reductions; cost containment; and revenue enhancements.
- Develop and provide actionable, strategic recommendations to address challenges within budgets.
- Provide independent viewpoints and special analysis related to budgeting and forecasting.
- Partner with Director and Finance leadership on multi-year financial plans and capital budgeting process.
- Support financial compliance with university policies and procedures and applicable legal rules and regulations.
- Help the development and implementation of rate models to evaluate the financial feasibility, risks and cost structures, and other relevant factors to establish accurate pricing models.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including service owners, VMO team and budget owners to develop rate modeling guide.
- Serve as one of the lead analysts for emerging cost models within HUIT and provide guidance to service owners.
Strategic Financial Planning and Analysis:
- Collaborate with multiple business units to develop and review budgets, forecasts, and financial plans.
- Develop complex and sophisticated financial models to analyze current scenarios, project future financial picture and report on actual performance against budget and forecast.
- Contribute to the development of financial tools and dashboards to enhance decision support.
- Prepare accurate and timely financial reports, highlighting budget variances, expenditures, and performance against key financial metrics. Develop and maintain comprehensive database and reporting tools. Generate reports and visualizations to communicate insights to stakeholders. Ensure data accuracy, integrity, and security.
- Partner with business partners to understand their objectives and challenges, offering financial guidance to support strategic decision-making.
- Identify opportunities and champion major initiatives for continuous improvement in support of internal controls and financial reporting processes.
- Act as a trusted advisor to business leaders, fostering strong relationships.
Project Management:
- Manage own portfolio of business unit partners as assigned by Director: Support business owners to develop annual budgets and long-term financial plans, provide analysis and insights to support strategic planning and advise on financial implications of operational decisions to optimize financial outcomes.
- Collaborate with systems and various financial partners in the development of future financial reporting.
- Support Director in the development of all HUIT project proposals.
- Continuously evaluate and enhance existing tools to meet evolving business needs.
Business Process Improvement:
- Work closely with service owners, FP&A Department and various financial partners to understand their financial and reporting needs.
- Recommend and identify process opportunities and automation solutions to improve financial reporting efficiency and accuracy.
- Support streamline of workflows and enhance productivity.
- Work closely with cross-functional teams to identify areas for financial improvement.
Engagement and Leadership:
- As a member of the Finance FP&A team, foster a collaborative, supportive and results-oriented culture and promote an inclusive and innovative work environment.
- Can serve as consultant to senior leaders on key strategic finance questions.
- Identify opportunities for process improvements within the FP&A department, implementing best practices to enhance efficiency.