Finance Specialist III- Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (Hybrid)

Who We Are

Building on our 150-plus-year legacy as one of the nation's preeminent engineering colleges, Cornell Engineering is forging new paradigms in engineering education, research, and technology translation. Comprising more than 10 schools and departments, we are rooted in Ithaca with a growing presence in New York City. Our global influence is reflected in our diverse and talented community. Guided by our core values, our faculty and staff regularly engage across disciplines and intentionally bring together a range of perspectives as they lead and support ambitious efforts to tackle societal challenges, develop the next generation of leaders, and make a meaningful difference in the world.

The Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS) at Cornell University is a global leader in research directed toward understanding the fundamental processes that have shaped our planet and is committed to providing Cornell students with the earth literacy needed to serve as informed citizens and wise stewards of the Earth. EAS is a cross-college department with oversight of finance and accounting in the College of Engineering (COE) and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). In addition, EAS enrolls students from three colleges--COE, CALS and Arts and Sciences (CAS).

What You Will Do

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

The Financial Specialist supports the Administrative Director by providing comprehensive financial/administrative services, management and leadership in: sponsored and gift funds management; planning and budgeting; analysis and reporting; financial accounting; and compliance and stewardship of resources. Working across multiple financial systems and software platforms, the Finance Specialist is expected to monitor, interpret, report and communicate administrative and financial issues within a high-volume academic department to the Administrative Director and other key stakeholders.

Responsibilities include:

• Serve in the Lead Finance role for EAS, acting as primary contact with and local expert for faculty, staff, graduate students, and researchers on financial matters and resource planning, including sponsored and gift funds management.
• Develop complex financial analyses and forecasts for the academic chair, director of administration and college administration in support of short and long-range unit initiatives.
• Apply expertise in interpreting and applying University policies, procedures, and practices to address complex matters to meet strategic and operational objectives.
• Interpret and provide procedural information, understand business and financial needs and opportunities, regularly advise, counsel, and give recommendations to faculty, the director/chair, and director of administration to ensure best business practices.
• Interpret and apply University policies, procedures, and practices to address financial matters to meet strategic and operational objectives.
• Ensure that internal controls are developed, monitored, and maintained.
• Participate in and coordinate various aspects of the annual budget process.
• Participate in Lead Finance group within College of Engineering to share expertise, develop best practices, and communicate new knowledge back to EAS staff.

What We Need

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and wellbeing.

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or related field with a finance focus; with 3 to 5 years of experience in financial planning and budget development, analysis and reporting, financial management, and supervision; or an equivalent combination in another field and applicable professional work experience in accounting, finance, business, or research administration.
• Demonstrated experience using reasoning skills and sound judgment in the identification and investigation of complexities, trends, and variances.
• Ability to independently plan and prioritize responsibilities to meet competing deadlines while working under pressure.
• Highly developed accounting, analytical and reporting skills, which includes demonstrated experience utilizing spreadsheets and databases (Excel, Access, FileMaker), as well as complex data applications (budget, financial, student, human resources) and delivery systems (Brio or similar data query tools.)
• Requires a developed understanding of disparate data structures, their relationships and interdependencies.
• Superior customer service and communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, confidently, and concisely in verbal and written formats to a wide variety of constituents.
• Ability to negotiate and advocate effectively and tactfully.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Demonstrated commitment to professional development.

It would be a bonus if you have any of the following:

• Gift and sponsored funds management experience.
• Experience in corporate or higher education setting.
• Highly proficient in reporting and extracting data from on-line data warehouse systems.

Important Notes about Applying

• A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.
• There is no relocation assistance available for this position.
• There is no visa sponsorship available for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is located in Ithaca, New York. The position will typically allow for the flexibility to work remotely 2 days per week at a location of employee's choosing within the United States. The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholdings for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside New York State.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability initiatives.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: https://hr.cornell.edu/benefits-pay.
• Our leave provisions include three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1.
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program.
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards.

University Job Title:

Job Family:

Level:

Pay Rate Type:

Pay Range:

Remote Option Availability:

Company:

Contact Name:

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell's non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell's union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Current Employees:

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by "dragging and dropping" them into the dropbox or by using the "upload" icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email atequity@cornell.edu.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu.

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEEO Statement:

Cornell University's history of diversity and inclusion encourages all students, faculty and staff to support a diverse and inclusive university in which to work, study, teach, research and serve. No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified disabled individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act have rights in the application process and in employment under federal law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.