Finance Manager

The University of Texas at Austin • Austin, UT

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Finance Manager oversees the Oden Institute’s day-to-day financial operations, including budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting, compliance, procurement, travel, reimbursements, and financial analysis. The position partners with Institute leadership to provide accurate reports, projections, and analysis that support informed decisions and effective resource management. It ensures responsible stewardship and compliance across university, sponsored, endowment, gift, and other funding sources.

The Finance Manager serves as a trusted resource to Institute leadership and staff, providing guidance, customer service, training, and operational support while fostering collaboration, continuous improvement, and organizational excellence. The role supervises finance staff, manages financial processes and controls, reviews and approves transactions, coordinates audit responses, and leads process improvements.

This is a 40-hour-per-week position at UT Austin’s main campus in a standard office environment. It is fully in person during the introductory period, with consideration for up to two remote days per week after the employee is fully trained. Occasional extended hours may be required during budget development, fiscal year-end close, audit periods, or high-volume processing cycles. The position is expected to continue. The earliest start date is November 1, 2026.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Management, or Business Administration; relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
• At least six years of progressively responsible experience in financial administration, budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, or related areas.
• Experience preparing financial reports, budgets, forecasts, projections, and related analyses for leadership decision-making.
• Experience interpreting and applying financial policies, procedures, internal controls, and compliance requirements.
• At least four years of supervisory experience, including staff training, coaching, and performance management.
• Strong customer service skills and ability to build collaborative relationships with staff, leadership, and university partners.
• Demonstrated commitment to collaboration, continuous improvement, effective training, and organizational excellence.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, as well as strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and experience using financial management systems.
• Knowledge of higher education budgeting, financial management, reporting, and compliance practices.
• Ability to interpret complex financial information and communicate clearly to financial and non-financial audiences.
• Ability to translate financial data into practical guidance, options, and recommendations for leadership.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, accountability, and responsible stewardship.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and operational demands in a complex environment.
• Collaborative, service-oriented, solutions-focused approach, with a commitment to partnership and continuous improvement.
• Ability to train, mentor, and develop staff while promoting consistency, accountability, and operational excellence.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Experience in higher education, research administration, government, or nonprofit financial operations.
• Experience with university fund accounting, restricted funds, endowments, gifts, and sponsored-project compliance.
• Familiarity with UT Austin financial systems and processes, such as Workday, DEFINE, FRMS, or related university tools.
• Experience developing dashboards, management reports, financial procedures, and training resources.
• CPA, CMA, CGFM, or other relevant professional certification.

Responsibilities

• Supervise finance staff and set expectations for performance, service quality, and accountability.
• Coach, mentor, and support professional development for finance staff.
• Develop, document, streamline, and maintain financial procedures, training materials, and operational guidance.
• Serve as the Institute’s subject matter expert on university financial policies and best practices related to travel, entertainment reimbursements, procurement, purchasing, and related transactions.
• Provide responsive financial guidance to staff and Institute leadership, balancing operational needs, compliance, and sound financial practices.
• Build partnerships with central campus offices, the Research Administration team, and university stakeholders to resolve financial and operational issues and advance Institute priorities.
• Provide training and guidance on travel, procurement, reimbursement, and financial processes; identify opportunities to improve processes and customer service.
• Manage day-to-day financial operations, including preparation, monitoring, and reconciliation of operating, personnel, and research-related budgets.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, analyses, and projections; monitor revenues, expenditures, commitments, and fund balances.
• Develop and maintain real-time tracking systems for endowment, gift, discretionary, and other Institute funds, including balances, distributions, and investment performance.
• Support leadership with financial modeling and scenario planning; develop management reports and dashboards.
• Identify budget variances, financial risks, and funding issues, and recommend solutions and resource-planning approaches.
• Review and approve procurement, travel, entertainment, and reimbursement transactions for accuracy, appropriateness, and compliance with university policies, sponsor requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Monitor financial activity, identify compliance issues and risks, recommend corrective actions, and maintain internal controls and best practices.
• Coordinate audit responses and provide supporting documentation for financial reviews; collaborate with Research Administration to ensure sponsored-project expenditures comply with requirements.
• Oversee financial processes and operations for quality, timeliness, and alignment with Institute goals and university standards.
• Foster a service-oriented, collaborative culture focused on staff satisfaction, professional growth, and continuous improvement.
• Lead process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, strengthen internal controls, and improve the experience of faculty, staff, and Institute stakeholders.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
• Retirement contributions
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid holidays
• Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) retirement plan eligibility, subject to meeting the stated hours and employment-duration conditions

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager