General Summary of Position:
Reporting directly to the Senior Associate Director of GPS Financial Services, the Financial Operations Manager in Graduate, Online & Professional Studies (GPS) works closely with division leadership in organizing, managing, and analyzing financial operations within the division. GPS encompasses continuing / online education (OCE), Graduate Admissions & Services, Corporate Education & Academic Partnerships, and the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO).
The Financial Operations Manager, GPS role will provide independent and proactive support and maintenance of business and financial activity as outlined by University System policy and procedure. This position will also support day-to-day financial activity, accounting procedures and serve a secondary check and balance during routine internal audits and processing banking transactions.
This a dual functioning role that will also aid on improving and developing business and financial processes that support operations within the Graduate, Online & Professional Studies (GPS) division at UMass Lowell. Supporting payroll and compensation operations within GPS is a critical component.
Essential Job Duties:
Financial Operations & Business Management:
- Payroll & Compensation: assist GPS Financial Services and Enrollment Management & Scheduling departments in the preparation and processing of employment contracts and the participation in compensation reconciliation for credit-based instruction, part-time and student staff employees. In addition, supporting GPS’s hiring processes and reviewing current practices to confirm with university policy.
- Procurement & Business Operations: general management of business ops, which includes processing and oversight of purchase orders, accounts payable / receivables, contracts management, strategic sourcing, the bank card program, and business / travel reimbursements.
- Financial Services: assist and oversee GPS’s financial and banking activities, including e-commerce operations, revenue management and collections (processing and reconciliation of all credit card transactions, checks, wires). Oversight responsibilities could include both credit and non-credit based revenue management.
- Policy Review & Maintenance: ensures the business processes of GPS are aligned with the demands of University policy and procedures, while maintaining an efficient, customer-focused organization. Documentation and routine review of internal GPS policy and procedure on an annual basis.
Account Management:
- Account Management: oversee and assist with account reconciliation, adjustment, and monitoring of expenditure and balances multiple budgetary lines. Other duties could include variance analysis, monthly expense reporting and account review, verification of revenue, submitting journal entries. Problem resolution of discrepancies is a critical component.
- Internal Audits: support internal audits of staff and instructional payroll, quarterly monitoring of variances, in addition to aiding with correcting / adjusting payroll and direct expense transactions.
- Fiscal Year Activity: assists with the fiscal end year close-out process, prepares account reconciliations and financial summaries. Analyzes and prepares quarterly variance analyses comparing current spending to prior year's spending.
Reporting & Analysis:
- Data Maintenance: assist with the development and maintenance of financial workbooks, and reporting dashboards using appropriate financial management software. Assist with the design of unique financial reports for GPS staff.
- Special Projects & Accounts: ad-hoc financial projects as assigned by executive staff. Projects could involve assembling historical information for reporting and participating in cost-benefit analysis and documentation of specialized programs.
Budgetary Reporting: assist staff with the development, tracking and reporting of the phases of an annual operating budget, with emphasis on support for budgeting and reporting on GPS’s unique non-credit programs
Minimum Qualifications (Required):
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration (open to all concentrations: management, accounting, analytics/ops management, financial, Management Information Systems) or related field
- Three to five years’ experience in a similar business management position(s)
- Direct experience with and knowledge of the fundamentals of account / budget management, and business operations
- Proven knowledge and ability to use business and/or financial information systems software
- Use of Microsoft Office Suite, and a high level of competency with Microsoft Excel
Additional Considerations:
- Previous experience in higher education, especially public higher education
- Previous experience with data analysis or working in an analytical capacity
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Only Internal Professional (SEIU 888 Professional Union) Bargaining candidates will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.
This is a SEIU 888 Professional Union position, Grade P17.
Some opportunities for remote work available.
Initial review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. However, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications is received.
Please include a resume and cover letter with your application. Names and contact information of three references will be required during the application process.
Posting updated 8/3/2023.
