Director, Financial Planning and Analysis

DEPARTMENT: Professional Services

REPORTS TO: Chief Financial Officer

LOCATION: Chicago, IL

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: [EXEMPT]

Through clinical services, education, and research, The Family Institute at Northwestern University is one of the nation’s leading relationship-based behavioral health organizations committed to strengthening and healing children and adolescents, couples, families, and individuals. When you join The Family Institute, you are joining a team of over 230 collaborators comprised of clinicians, educators, researchers, therapists-in-training, partners, and administrators across three service sites.

We are a strong, independent organization focused on advancing the world of behavioral health.

Learn more about our culture.

The Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) is a strategic finance leader responsible for driving financial insight, forecasting accuracy, and data-driven decision-making across the organization. Factoring the complexity and regulations of the education, healthcare, and non-profit industries, this role will partner closely with the executive team and operational leadership to optimize financial performance, support growth initiatives, and ensure long-term sustainability.

The Director of FP&A will drive financial analyses in collaboration with the CFO and serve as a thought partner to envision new ways of working. They will embrace TFI’s core values, mission, and vision every day to build stronger teams to meet mission.

• Lead the annual budgeting, long-range planning, and rolling forecast processes
• Develop and maintain financial models to support strategic initiatives, operating performance, and targeted capital investments
• Provide clear, actionable financial analysis and recommendations to executive leadership
• Analyze key drivers of revenue, expense, margin, and cash flow, with a strong understanding of the academic and clinical business models
• Oversee monthly variance analysis and performance reporting, translating complex financial data into concise executive-level insights
• Partner with academic, clinical and other administrative leaders to support decision-making and improve financial outcomes
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and data dashboards aligned with organizational goals
• Ensure consistency, accuracy, and integrity of financial data across budget and reporting systems and applications
• Lead, mentor, and develop the FP&A team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Support enterprise initiatives related to cost management, operational efficiency, and value-based care strategies
• Apply AI and/or automation tools that streamline or improve processes, efficiency and quality.
• Demonstrate an ongoing investment in professional development and in keeping updated on technical knowledge and skills relating to finance and accounting
• Perform other duties as assigned by manager for business necessity

Knowledge and Skills

• General knowledge of accounting and budgeting systems, preference for experience with Net Suite, and Workday Adaptive Planning
• Proficient in MS Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, preference for experience with PowerBI
• Responsible use of AI
• Strong attention to detail
• Communication skills to include interpersonal, teamwork, and collaboration skills
• Problem-solving and analytical skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills; customer service oriented
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines in a fast-paced team environment with minimum supervision
• Ability to work efficiently and accurately with details and fluctuating work volumes
• Previous experience in a healthcare and/or Higher Education setting preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field
• 5-7 years of finance or accounting experience
• Preferred previous management experience

• Must be able to compose written reports clearly and effectively
• Must be able to be in a stationary position due to attention to computer screen
• The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will…