• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $110,000 - $120,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director of the Weatherhead East Asian Institute (WEAI) at Columbia University, the incumbent will have ongoing responsibility for all financial management of the Institute. Working with the Faculty Director and Executive Director of the Weatherhead East Asian Institute, the incumbent will assume overall responsibility for the administration and operations of the Finances of the Institute, including developing the programmatic budget, managing Federal and Private grants and subcontracts, preparing reconciliations and financial and variance analysis, financial reporting, preventing overdrafts and working with University offices to resolve financial issues.

WEAI is a hub for studying modern and contemporary East, Southeast, and Inner Asia at Columbia University. It is an integrated center for research and teaching. The Institute brings together faculty, research scholars, and students from across the university and advances knowledge and understanding of the region through academics, research programs, renowned publications series, and a robust calendar of public events.

Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to receive full consideration.

Responsibilities

• Manage an operating budget of approximately $6.1 million and oversee all grants, gifts, endowment, and unrestricted accounts (over 70 projects). Responsible for completing required reporting and other compliance/audit-related activities. Works in conjunction with Sponsored Projects Finance to produce and submit sponsored financial reports

• Develop long-term financial forecasting and strategic financial analysis to develop budgets. Implements new and existing budget priorities and strategic initiatives.

• Develop the Institute's annual Operating Budget in conjunction with the Business Manager. Work with staff and faculty to create annual individual budgets.

• Supervise the implementation of Columbia financial policies to the Institute's over 30 faculty members, 14 staff members, and sub-units, including the Modern Tibet Studies Program (MTS), the National Consortium for Teaching About Asia (NCTA), the Center for Korean Research (CKR), among others, and students as well as Institute specific policies and procedures. Monitors risk management policies and procedures to minimize program and organizational risks.

• Responsible for the Financial Operations of the Institute (AP, Purchasing, Concur, etc.).

• Develop budgets for grant submissions and work with Sponsored Project Administration to submit grants, budget modifications, no-cost extensions, and subcontract requests.

• Advise the Faculty Director, Executive Director, and faculty on achieving long and short-term goals based on available financial resources. Collaborate with and work seamlessly within the organization to understand and inform financial decisions.

• Prepare and present financial reports to the Faculty Director, Executive Director, Budget, and Executive Committees. Produce annual and monthly financial status reports and respond to ad hoc requests.

• Work closely with the office of the EVP for A&S Finance and Budget Office, the University's Central Finance, and other internal and external university partners to create and submit WEAI's budget and perform fiscal year-end closing and other financial issues.

• Perform quarterly budget updates and variance analysis with assistance from the finance staff. Approve labor distributions initiated by the finance staff.

• Provide final approval for financial transactions within the Columbia financial system (ARC, PAC, Concur, P-Card charges). Solve issues and discrepancies, provide policy guidance, and ensure compliance.

• Become an expert on and interpret all university financial policies and systems and provide problem-solving support for operating budgets and financial planning.

• Supervise the finance office staff.

• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and a minimum of 4 years of experience in financial and operational management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in finance, accounting, or operations.
• Ability to work well in a consensus-driven team environment.
• Knowledge of Columbia University systems (ARC, PAC, FDS, Concur, Payment Works, Budget Tool/FINSYS).

Other Requirements

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain high confidentiality and professionalism with a client focus.
• Strong multi-tasking, prioritization, and organization skills.
• Attention to detail, research, critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter, a fast learner who can work independently under limited supervision.
• Work well in an interactive team environment.
• Working knowledge of PeopleSoft or similar enterprise HRIS, Microsoft Office, and relational databases.