Operations Finance Manager - Bethesda, United States - U of C NORC

Description

JOB SUMMARY:

NORC's International Programs Department (INPRO) seeks an experienced Operations Finance Manager to join its dynamic program operations unit to support a growing portfolio of international projects.

The Operations Manager will provide operations management support for INPRO projects in areas of budgeting, finance, procurement, contracts, and administration, and work closely with project staff to ensure all project objectives and deliverables are achieved on time and on budget. The ideal candidate has strong organizational and budgeting skills, has experience supporting multiple projects simultaneously, is pro-active and an eager learner, and is collaborative and attentive to details. The Operations Manager will be part of an operations team that provides financial and contract management support to project staff working on U.S. Agency for International (USAID) and other U.S. government and donor-funded projects.

Applicants must be based in either our Bethesda, MD or Chicago, IL office, with a hybrid office/work-from-home schedule.

DEPARTMENT: International ProgramsINPRO was established in 2005, and works on performance and impact evaluations, capacity building, complex surveys, and qualitative data collection, among other research activities, throughout the developing world. Our research covers a range of sectors including education, child and youth well-being, gender equality and women's empowerment, private-sector engagement, democracy and governance, resilience and food security, land and resource governance, biodiversity conservation, natural climate solutions, agriculture, water and sanitation, and vulnerable populations. Since its establishment INPRO has implemented projects in more than 100 countries in Africa, Asia, MENA, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide day-to-day tasks related to finance, accounting, subcontract management, and other administrative functions on INPRO projects to support the timely and effective implementation of the department's technical scopes of work.
• Ensure resources are allocated and in compliance with Contract requirements, applicable U.S. Government (USG) regulations, and appropriate standards and procedures;
• Provide support on procurement related matters, adhering to USG and USAID regulations;
• Oversee and support the timely issuance of subcontracts issued under contract or grant awards and procurement of commercial goods and services as needed;
• Ensure efficient, streamlined, and compliant implementation of the subcontracts;
• Oversee and coordinate all formal budget, procurement, and programmatic reporting requirements of the contracts;
• Prepare and monitor budgets and invoices to ensure expenditures are in compliance with USG and USAID policies and regulations;
• Develop budgets and forecasts which align with work plans;
• Provide support on developing cost-related materials (including budgets) for proposals;
• Prepare approval requests per client requirements;
• Ensure strong coordination and communication among project staff;
• Oversee and coordinate all formal budget, procurement, and programmatic reporting requirements of the contracts;
• Prepare and monitor budgets and invoices to ensure expenditures are in compliance with USG and USAID policies and regulations;
• Develop budgets and forecasts which align with work plans;
• Provide support on developing cost-related materials (including budgets) for proposals;
• Prepare approval requests per client requirements;
• Ensure strong coordination and communication among project staff.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Bachelors' Degree in International Development, Business Management, Economics, Finance, or related field, or equivalent working experience in similar position on a USAID contract; Masters' Degree preferred.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in finance and operations management for large, donor-funded projects; prior experience working on USAID contracts required;
• Previous experience as an Operations Manager (or equivalent role) for a large U.S. government supported contract or grant demonstrating experience working with USG contractual and financial regulations strongly preferred;
• Experience managing procurement and implementation of USAID subcontracts;
• Knowledge of USG rules and regulations in both acquisition and assistance;
• Excellent budgeting skills using Excel, e.g. ability to construct spreadsheets that translate cost-based budgets (Cost Plus budgets) into client-required Time and Material (T&M) or Fees and Expenses formats with appropriate links, updating, and salary and cost escalation functionality;
• Proven ability to manage projects and meet deadlines through active collaboration with NORC researchers and other stakeholders;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal in English;
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Proficiency in Spanish or French a plus.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The pay range for this position is $85,000 to $138,000.

This position is classified as regular. Regular staff are eligible for NORC's comprehensive benefits program. Benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generously subsidized health insurance, effective on the first day of employment
• Dental and vision insurance
• A defined contribution retirement program, along with a separate voluntary 403(b) retirement program
• Group life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance
• Benefits that promote work/life balance, including generous paid time off, holidays; paid parental leave, bereavement leave, tuition assistance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

NORC's Approach to Equity and Transparency

Pay and benefits transparency helps to reduce wage gaps. As part of our commitment to pay equity and salary transparency, NORC includes a salary range for each job opening along with information about eligible benefit offerings. At NORC, we take a comprehensive approach to setting salary ranges and reviewing raises and promotions, which is overseen by a formal Salary Review Committee (SRC).

WHAT WE DO:

NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with us to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge.

WHO WE ARE:

For over 80 years, NORC has evolved in many ways, moving the needle with research methods, technical applications and groundbreaking research findings. But our tradition of excellence, passion for innovation, and commitment to collegiality have remained constant components of who we are as a brand, and who each of us is as a member of the NORC team. With world-class benefits, a business casual environment, and an emphasis on continuous learning, NORC is a place where people join for the stellar research and analysis work for which we're known, and stay for the relationships they form with their colleagues who take pride in the impact their work is making on a global scale.

EEO STATEMENT:

NORC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that values and actively seeks diversity in the workforce. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other legally protected characteristics.

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