Financial Operations Manager, Center for Security and Emerging Technology - Walsh School of Foreign Service

Located in a historic neighborhood in the nation's capital, Georgetown offers rigorous academic programs, a global perspective, exciting ways to take advantage of Washington, D.C., and a commitment to social justice. Our community is a tight knit group of remarkable individuals interested in intellectual inquiry and making a difference in the world.RequirementsThe Center for Security and Emerging Technology at Georgetown University (http://cset.georgetown.edu) (CSET) is a research organization focused on studying the security impacts of emerging technologies, supporting academic work in security and technology studies, and delivering nonpartisan analysis to technologists and policymakers. CSET currently focuses on artificial intelligence, advanced computing and biotechnology. Please visit CSET’s career page (https://cset.georgetown.edu/careers) for more detailed information on role responsibilities and application instructions. The Financial Operations Manager will oversee the development and management of budgets for a fully externally-funded research organization currently amounting to $14 million annually from 10+ current gifts and grants. CSET is increasing the diversity of its funding, which will significantly expand its financial operations portfolio. This role includes responsibilities in financial forecasting and budgetary planning, cost accounting, grants management, and other nonprofit financial and administrative operations. The Financial Operations Manager will collaborate closely with senior colleagues across the Center, while also liaising with finance, procurement, grant management, and other key divisions within the School of Foreign Service and Georgetown University. Additionally, they will directly interact with critical CSET stakeholders. Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to:Organizational Financial Management

Prepare the Center's annual budget, considering diverse funding sources, personnel requirements, rates, and time horizons.

Serve as a strategic partner of the Center by integrating a robust financial perspective into all project planning and management activities, working collaboratively with CSET colleagues to prepare comprehensive organizational (program, team, project) budgets.

Establish and manage efficient financial management processes, systems, and tools to inform leadership and staff of financial positioning, ensuring timely review and processing of payments to vendors and subrecipients.

Collate necessary contracts components, initiating Georgetown Management System (GMS, GU’s instance of Workday) requisitions, and collaborating with Georgetown procurement for final review and sign off on contracts.

Review financial transactions, expense reports, journal transactions, and supplier invoices, in GMS, ensuring that all data is accurately entered and all chart of account elements are consistently assigned.

Review and cross-reference actual spend data to budget forecasts, correcting erroneous charges and ensuring budget forecasting assumptions and tools remain up to date.

Initiate requisitions for goods and services, honoraria, contracts, and purchase orders in compliance with university policies and purchasing guidelines, coordinating with Georgetown procurement, accounts payable, and central finance teams when necessary.

Grant & Sponsored Project Management

Prepare budgets for funding opportunities, monitoring that approved awards are received and set up in compliance with Georgetown policies and funder requirements.

Plan award spending in accordance with funders' terms and conditions, collaborating with the Development team to prepare financial reports, statements, and other finance-related deliverables required by funders.

Work with Georgetown financial services units to respond to funder inquiries for financial information, reviewing and reconciling expenses to ensure that they are a) allowable by the sponsor for the project, b) allocable to the project, c) reasonable and necessary, d) supported by required documents, and e) within the budgeted amounts.

Review associated fringe benefits for accuracy and review salary distributions to ensure that they reasonably reflect employees’ level of effort on projects.

Review the commitments of key personnel, to ensure the costs reasonably reflect the level of effort committed to the sponsors as part of proposal and notify OSP/OSR of significant variances.

Ensure the accuracy of indirect cost recovery calculations, processing all corrections and adjustments within 90 days of when the charge initially posts to the financial system (posted date for non-payroll and pay period end date for payroll transactions).

Ensure corrections and adjustments are reviewed and approved according to the signature authority policy and supported by appropriate documents.

Team Relations & Operational Support

Serve as liaison to Georgetown’s accounting department, accounts payable, the Joint Office of Research Administration (JORA), the Office of Sponsored Projects Financial Operations (SPFO), and other financial services units.

Act as finance expert contact for CSET project staff, providing regular and effective communication, financial analysis, support, and guidance.

Develop and maintain user documentation for finance-related CSET policies and procedures, such as expense reimbursement, contracting, and budgeting.

Monitor trends and developments in AI, ML, biotechnology, and national security policy.

Contribute to CSET’s organizational development, including internal working groups, seminars, and discussions; and supporting and mentoring colleagues.

Uphold CSET’s mission, values and culture, performing additional duties as assigned.

Work InteractionsThe Financial Operations Manager will report to CSET’s Director of People and Operations.Requirements and Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent on-the-job training and professional experience

7+ years of progressively responsible, relevant experience working in nonprofit financial management

Proven experience managing budgets, preferably in nonprofit, grant-funded programs

Advanced Excel, database, and other computer software skills such as Google Docs/Sheets, QuickBooks, and Microsoft Office

Excellent leadership and project management skills, with an emphasis on initiating, organizing, implementing, and overseeing various streams of work, while maintaining the highest level of attention to detail

Ability to structure and manage systems and policies to ensure smooth daily operations

Demonstrated ability to implement structures, systems, and processes that drive efficiency

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate complex financial information with ease

Strong analytical skills and strategic thinking with the ability to work successfully in a collaborative matrixed/multi-disciplinary environment

Motivated, enthusiastic, intellectually curious and self-driven

Ability to work in the United States without employer sponsorship

Preferred Requirements and Qualifications

Graduate Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

2+ years of experience with Workday or other enterprise financial management suites

Experience working at Georgetown or comparable higher education institution in a finance-related capacity

Experience with or advanced knowledge of grant-making procedures

Work Mode DesignationThis position has been designated as Hybrid. Please note that work mode designations are regularly reviewed in order to meet the evolving needs of the University. Such review may necessitate a change to a position’s mode of work designation. Complete details about Georgetown University’s mode of work designations for staff and AAP positions can be found on the Department of Human Resources website: https://hr.georgetown.edu/mode-of-work-designation.Please note that we only consider complete applications, which include a Resume/CV and a Cover Letter that addresses why are you interested in CSET and this role, specifically. If you have any questions with regard to completing and/or submitting your application, please email csetcareers@georgetown.edu.Pay Range: The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position which represents the full range of anticipated compensation is: $80,429.00 - $157,238.93Compensation is determined by a number of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s individual qualifications, experience, education, skills, and certifications, as well as the University’s business needs and external factors. Current Georgetown Employees: If you currently work at Georgetown University, please exit this website and login to GMS ( gms.georgetown.edu ) using your Net ID and password. Then select the Career worklet on your GMS Home dashboard to view Jobs at Georgetown. Submission Guidelines: Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at Georgetown University you must submit a resume for each position of interest for which you believe you are qualified. Documents are not kept on file for future positions.Need Assistance: If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please click here (http://ideaa.georgetown.edu/ada) for more information, or contact the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Affirmative Action (IDEAA) at 202-687-4798 or ideaa@georgetown.edu.Need some assistance with the application process? Please call 202-687-2500. For more information about the suite of benefits, professional development and community involvement opportunities that make up Georgetown's commitment to its employees, please visit the Georgetown Works website (https://georgetownworks.georgetown.edu/) .EEO Statement: Georgetown University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (https://policymanual.hr.georgetown.edu/https%3A//policymanual.gudrupal.georgetown.edu/201-Equal-Employment-Opportunity-Affirmative-Action) fully dedicated to achieving a diverse faculty and staff. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation) , disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law (http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf) .Benefits: Georgetown University offers a comprehensive and competitive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, retirement savings, tuition assistance, work-life balance benefits, employee discounts and an array of voluntary insurance options. You can learn more about benefits and eligibility on the Department of Human Resources website (https://benefits.georgetown.edu/staff/enrolling/) .