University of Chicago
Financial Systems and Controls Architect
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Financial Systems and Controls Architect
Join to apply for the
Financial Systems and Controls Architect
role at
University of Chicago .
Base pay range:
$100,000.00/yr - $115,000.00/yr
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. It partners with Argonne National Laboratory and is the first new school at the University of Chicago in three decades, dedicated to molecular engineering. The school expands world‑class faculty and supports students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with faculty in cutting‑edge facilities, bringing solutions for urgent societal problems and training future leaders.
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, supporting budgeting, forecasting, resource planning, and investment management. The architect develops scalable financial information systems and controls that enhance sustainability, data integrity, and decision‑making across all university funding streams, including sponsored and discretionary projects, general funding, gifts, endowments, and tuition revenues. The role collaborates during UChicago’s Oracle conversion, driving process innovation, compliance, and operational efficiency, integrating financial analytics, report development, receivables audits, and partnership with central billing teams.
Responsibilities
Develop and deliver comprehensive financial reports and analytic dashboards to improve information accessibility and reliability.
Lead change management efforts, partnering with stakeholders to streamline and automate financial processes, reducing bottlenecks and improving time and cost efficiencies.
Collaborate 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.
Lead and participate in systems and analytics projects across all institutional funding streams to enhance data transparency and financial efficiency.
Design, evaluate, and refine financial systems for robust tracking and reporting, including grant and receivable status dashboards.
Develop sophisticated financial models, ensuring predictive accuracy, scenario analysis, and optimization.
Conduct detailed financial audits, including unbilled and unpaid receivables, collaborating across departments to resolve discrepancies and strengthen controls.
Advise leadership on cost management, investment strategies, and long‑term financial planning through analysis and reporting initiatives.
Partner with accounting and billing teams in developing centralized billing and receivables processes.
Carry out risk assessments and opportunity analysis, providing actionable recommendations.
Initiate and oversee special financial projects focused on innovation, compliance, and process optimization.
Analyze faculty grant activity and portfolios, evaluating funding success, trends, spend rates, and strategic alignment with PME goals.
Design and develop grant applications and financial documentation, overseeing budgets and ensuring compliance with grantor regulations.
Collaborate with billing and receivables teams to optimize collections and compliance efforts.
Work independently to maintain and support the planning and execution of financial strategy.
Assist in the preparation of annual budgets, providing analytical support for complex budget projects.
Perform other related work as needed.
Education A college or university degree in a related field.
Minimum Qualifications College or university degree in a related field.
Work Experience 5‑7 years of experience in a related discipline, with advanced knowledge of financial audits, receivables, reconciliations, financial analysis, budgeting, reporting, and compliance reviews.
Preferred Qualification – Experience
Advanced experience in financial audits, especially receivables (unbilled/unpaid), reconciliations, financial analysis, budgeting, reporting skills, and compliance reviews.
Technical Skills or Knowledge
High‑level proficiency in accounting, Oracle ERP systems, financial reporting, IT integration, and research administration.
Proficiency in Oracle and SQL.
Proficiency in report development and analytical tools (Excel, BI platforms, or similar).
Preferred Competencies
Expertise in financial modeling, quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
Strategic thinking with meticulous attention to detail.
Ability to lead through influence, consulting with stakeholders across all organizational levels.
Strong problem‑solving and strategic thinking skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong teamwork, consensus‑building, and collaboration; change‑management and process‑implementation skills.
Deep understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and risk analysis; strong grasp of grant management software and financial analytic tools.
Knowledge of relevant grant regulations and compliance requirements.
Application Documents
Resume/CV (required)
Cover Letter (required)
Professional References Contact Information (3) (required)
When applying, the documents must be uploaded via the
My Experience
page, in the section titled
Application Documents
of the application.
Job Family Financial Management
Role Impact Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5
FLSA Status Exempt
Pay Range $100,000.00 - $115,000.00
Benefits Eligible Yes. The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Equal Opportunity Statement The University of Chicago is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers requiring a reasonable accommodation should call 773‑702‑5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.
The University of Chicago’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is available online at http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies can be requested from the Police Department.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Financial Systems and Controls Architect
role at
University of Chicago .
Base pay range:
$100,000.00/yr - $115,000.00/yr
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. It partners with Argonne National Laboratory and is the first new school at the University of Chicago in three decades, dedicated to molecular engineering. The school expands world‑class faculty and supports students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with faculty in cutting‑edge facilities, bringing solutions for urgent societal problems and training future leaders.
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, supporting budgeting, forecasting, resource planning, and investment management. The architect develops scalable financial information systems and controls that enhance sustainability, data integrity, and decision‑making across all university funding streams, including sponsored and discretionary projects, general funding, gifts, endowments, and tuition revenues. The role collaborates during UChicago’s Oracle conversion, driving process innovation, compliance, and operational efficiency, integrating financial analytics, report development, receivables audits, and partnership with central billing teams.
Responsibilities
Develop and deliver comprehensive financial reports and analytic dashboards to improve information accessibility and reliability.
Lead change management efforts, partnering with stakeholders to streamline and automate financial processes, reducing bottlenecks and improving time and cost efficiencies.
Collaborate 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.
Lead and participate in systems and analytics projects across all institutional funding streams to enhance data transparency and financial efficiency.
Design, evaluate, and refine financial systems for robust tracking and reporting, including grant and receivable status dashboards.
Develop sophisticated financial models, ensuring predictive accuracy, scenario analysis, and optimization.
Conduct detailed financial audits, including unbilled and unpaid receivables, collaborating across departments to resolve discrepancies and strengthen controls.
Advise leadership on cost management, investment strategies, and long‑term financial planning through analysis and reporting initiatives.
Partner with accounting and billing teams in developing centralized billing and receivables processes.
Carry out risk assessments and opportunity analysis, providing actionable recommendations.
Initiate and oversee special financial projects focused on innovation, compliance, and process optimization.
Analyze faculty grant activity and portfolios, evaluating funding success, trends, spend rates, and strategic alignment with PME goals.
Design and develop grant applications and financial documentation, overseeing budgets and ensuring compliance with grantor regulations.
Collaborate with billing and receivables teams to optimize collections and compliance efforts.
Work independently to maintain and support the planning and execution of financial strategy.
Assist in the preparation of annual budgets, providing analytical support for complex budget projects.
Perform other related work as needed.
Education A college or university degree in a related field.
Minimum Qualifications College or university degree in a related field.
Work Experience 5‑7 years of experience in a related discipline, with advanced knowledge of financial audits, receivables, reconciliations, financial analysis, budgeting, reporting, and compliance reviews.
Preferred Qualification – Experience
Advanced experience in financial audits, especially receivables (unbilled/unpaid), reconciliations, financial analysis, budgeting, reporting skills, and compliance reviews.
Technical Skills or Knowledge
High‑level proficiency in accounting, Oracle ERP systems, financial reporting, IT integration, and research administration.
Proficiency in Oracle and SQL.
Proficiency in report development and analytical tools (Excel, BI platforms, or similar).
Preferred Competencies
Expertise in financial modeling, quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
Strategic thinking with meticulous attention to detail.
Ability to lead through influence, consulting with stakeholders across all organizational levels.
Strong problem‑solving and strategic thinking skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong teamwork, consensus‑building, and collaboration; change‑management and process‑implementation skills.
Deep understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and risk analysis; strong grasp of grant management software and financial analytic tools.
Knowledge of relevant grant regulations and compliance requirements.
Application Documents
Resume/CV (required)
Cover Letter (required)
Professional References Contact Information (3) (required)
When applying, the documents must be uploaded via the
My Experience
page, in the section titled
Application Documents
of the application.
Job Family Financial Management
Role Impact Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5
FLSA Status Exempt
Pay Range $100,000.00 - $115,000.00
Benefits Eligible Yes. The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Equal Opportunity Statement The University of Chicago is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers requiring a reasonable accommodation should call 773‑702‑5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.
The University of Chicago’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is available online at http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies can be requested from the Police Department.
#J-18808-Ljbffr