Manager, Finance Operations

Responsibilities

• Manage a broad portfolio of departmental financial operations for the Department of Mathematics, including complex activity across multiple funding sources.
• Oversee all Accounts Payable, procurement, and purchase order activity, ensuring compliance with university policies and contract requirements.
• Review and approve travel and business expenses in Concur and provide guidance to faculty and staff on reimbursement practices.
• Support grant proposal development by participating in budget preparation and ensuring compliance with sponsor guidelines.
• Perform monthly and quarterly reconciliations across unrestricted and sponsored accounts and support year-end close processes.
• Provide financial analysis, variance analysis, and reporting to support departmental planning and decision-making.
• Manage financial records and investigate discrepancies to implement corrective actions.
• Delegate work to the Financial Assistant and set priorities to ensure high-quality transaction processing.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Minimum of two years of related experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Drive.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education or large decentralized institutions.

About the Company

Columbia University is a world-class institution located in New York City. The Department of Mathematics is a center of discovery and innovation, home to distinguished faculty and researchers dedicated to training the next generation of mathematical leaders.