Director, Financial Planning and Analysis

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.

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.

Hybrid work arrangement from home office and our Chicago office

Professional Services

FLSA Status

Primary Responsibilities

• 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

• 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 understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these…