Financial Systems and Controls Architect

** Department
* * PME Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
** About the Department
** The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) was established in May 2019 and evolved from the Institute for Molecular Engineering, founded in 2011. The PME integrates science and engineering to address global challenges from the molecular level up. The PME’s rigorous academic and research programs are made possible through the University of Chicago’s unique partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering is the first new school at the University of Chicago in three decades and the first school in the nation dedicated to molecular engineering.

In the next phase of growth as a School, the PME will continue to expand its team of world-class faculty researchers and empower students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with faculty in cutting-edge facilities. The PME aims to bring solutions for urgent societal problems to the forefront, while training the next generation of scientific leaders and entrepreneurs.
** Job Summary
** This role reports to the Director of Finance and the Senior Associate Dean and Chief Operations Officer. The Financial Systems and Controls Architect strategically designs and optimizes the organization’s financial information and reporting structure, processes, and strategies, including reporting and analysis to support budgeting, forecasting, resource planning, and investment management. In addition to traditional finance duties, this role architects scalable financial information systems and controls that enhance sustainability, data integrity, and decision-making across all University related funding streams including sponsored and discretionary projects, general funding, gifts, endowments, and tuition revenues.
The Financial Systems and Controls Architect serves as a strategic financial information systems design collaborator during UChicago’s ongoing Oracle conversion and implementation process, partnering with divisional and central leadership to drive process innovation, compliance, and operational efficiency. This position also integrates financial analytics, ongoing report development, receivables audits, including unbilled/unpaid reviewing, and a close partnership with central billing teams to maximize fund utilization, compliance, and organizational impact.
** Responsibilities
* ** Develops and delivers comprehensive financial reports and analytic dashboards to optimize financial information accessibility and reliability and enable rapid, informed decision-making.
* Drives change management efforts by partnering with key UChicago stakeholders to streamline and automate financial processes that reduce bottlenecks and improve both time and cost efficiencies.
* Collaborates with PME and Central IT, accounting, and research administration teams to align financial data architecture, reporting hierarchies, and system integrations within Oracle and related platforms.
* Leads and participates in financial systems and analytics projects that encompass sponsored research, general funds, discretionary accounts, gifts, endowments, and other institutional funding streams to enhance data transparency and financial efficiency.
* Designs, evaluates, and refines financial systems to ensure robust tracking and reporting. Develops and delivers comprehensive financial reports and analytic dashboards for grants and receivable status.
* Develops sophisticated financial models, ensuring predictive accuracy, scenario analysis, and optimization.
* Conducts detailed financial audits including unbilled and unpaid receivables, collaborating across departments to resolve discrepancies and strengthen controls.
* Leads analysis and reporting initiatives, developing internal and external financial reports that drive strategic decision-making. Advises leadership on cost management, investment strategies, and long-term financial planning.
* Partners with accounting and billing teams in the development and management of centralized billing and account receivables processes.
* Carries out risk assessments and opportunity analysis, providing actionable recommendations.
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