Manager of Finance and Operations

Responsibilities

• Administer the Center’s $5M annual operating budget, including subaward budgets and monthly reconciliations.
• Implement and enforce financial standard operating procedures (SOPs) and internal controls to ensure compliance with University policies.
• Provide monthly budget projections, burn rate analysis, and financial reporting for annual and NSF post-award reports.
• Manage daily financial operations, including travel reimbursements, purchase orders, invoices, and Pcard reconciliations.
• Oversee payroll accounting, including salary distribution requests, cost transfers, and casual/work-study payroll.
• Research and track grant funding opportunities and lead the development and submission of grant proposals and LOIs.
• Support event planning for lectures and annual meetings, and serve as the primary contact for facilities-related needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field (Master's Degree preferred).
• 4+ years of hands-on experience in financial administration and supervisory/management roles.
• 2+ years of experience in grant writing, fundraising, or grants management.
• High proficiency in Excel and Google Sheets (candidates will be required to complete an Excel skills assessment).
• Strong quantitative skills and experience running financial reports for project reconciliation and budgeting.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and written/verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education or within large, complex institutions.
• Familiarity with Columbia University financial systems (e.g., ARC, PAC, RASCAL, or FFE).

About the Company

Columbia University is a world-class research institution located in New York City. This role supports the LEAP Science and Technology Center within the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, a National Science Foundation grant-funded center focused on Learning the Earth with Artificial Intelligence & Physics.