Financial Reporting/Projects Manager

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

1d•Remote

About The Position

Capitalizing on over 140 years of history and tradition in downtown Los Angeles, the University of Southern California (USC) is looking for skilled, motivated professionals to help forge the future of higher education. The USC Finance Division, Office of Budget and Planning is seeking a Financial Reporting/Projects Manager to join its team. The Financial Reporting/Projects Manager is responsible for managing complex financial reporting and analysis to support the Office of Budget and Planning, specifically as it relates to key performance indicators and executive dashboards for the university. The position leads the planning and development of strategic, multifaceted projects and has the responsibility for financial and business research, project management, and planning and scheduling. The Key Accountabilities Overview of Duties Manages complex regular and ad hoc financial reporting and analysis to support short and long-term planning for the university. Evaluates and analyzes a variety of complex financial reports and data. Determines accuracy of financial data submitted. Presents results formally to senior management. Meets with various business units to review and critique quarterly projections. Provides timely reporting on status of units to leadership. Develops, enhances, and maintains automated or manual systems and procedures to facilitate and support financial operations. Leads the design and implementation of strategic financial and business projects, including data research, analysis, evaluation, and presentation of findings to leadership. Collaborates with various departments within the university such as the Office of the Comptroller, University Advancement, Enrollment Services, Treasury Services, the Health System, and others to collect and consolidate KPI’s for presentation to leadership. Directly or indirectly manages assigned staff. Reviews and approves hiring and salary actions to ensure compliance with policy. Oversees performance appraisal process for staff and remains informed of any disciplinary actions required. Key Performance Indicators Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive set of financial KPIs and metrics aligned with the university’s strategy, financial sustainability, and leadership priorities. Own the end-to-end lifecycle of financial KPIs — from definition and data sourcing through calculation, validation, visualization, and executive communication. Ensure all KPIs are relevant, current, repeatable, consistent, and reliable, with clear definitions, documented methodologies, and standardized calculation logic. Work extensively with large datasets extracted from multiple financial and operational systems, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and integrity across data sources. Apply critical thinking and advanced data analytics to identify trends, patterns, risks, and emerging issues embedded in KPI results. Deliver polished, executive-level KPI summaries and dashboards that are clear, concise, and decision-focused. Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time. The work schedule for this position is Monday through Friday from 8:30am – 5:00pm however, work schedules may change at any time to accommodate business needs. This is primarily a remote role with occasional on-site days based on business needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration or in related field(s).
Five years of financial reporting/projects management experience.
Expert knowledge of and experience in financial analysis and reporting.
Knowledge of computer simulation and forecasting techniques.
Directly related management experience.

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree, preferably an MBA.
Seven years of progressively responsible experience as a Financial Reporting/Projects Manager
Knowledgeable in Workday Finance and Anaplan.
Directly related experience in a university environment with knowledge of university systems and procedures preferred.
Advanced/Expert level excel skills.
Strong financial modeling and analytical skills.
Previous experience in leading others in financial reporting work.
Clear written and verbal communication skills, particularly in explaining financial information to non-technical audiences.
Ability to work well in a team environment.
In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, community, well-being, open communication, and accountability.

Responsibilities

Manages complex regular and ad hoc financial reporting and analysis to support short and long-term planning for the university.
Evaluates and analyzes a variety of complex financial reports and data.
Determines accuracy of financial data submitted.
Presents results formally to senior management.
Meets with various business units to review and critique quarterly projections.
Provides timely reporting on status of units to leadership.
Develops, enhances, and maintains automated or manual systems and procedures to facilitate and support financial operations.
Leads the design and implementation of strategic financial and business projects, including data research, analysis, evaluation, and presentation of findings to leadership.
Collaborates with various departments within the university such as the Office of the Comptroller, University Advancement, Enrollment Services, Treasury Services, the Health System, and others to collect and consolidate KPI’s for presentation to leadership.
Directly or indirectly manages assigned staff.
Reviews and approves hiring and salary actions to ensure compliance with policy.
Oversees performance appraisal process for staff and remains informed of any disciplinary actions required.
Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive set of financial KPIs and metrics aligned with the university’s strategy, financial sustainability, and leadership priorities.
Own the end-to-end lifecycle of financial KPIs — from definition and data sourcing through calculation, validation, visualization, and executive communication.
Ensure all KPIs are relevant, current, repeatable, consistent, and reliable, with clear definitions, documented methodologies, and standardized calculation logic.
Work extensively with large datasets extracted from multiple financial and operational systems, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and integrity across data sources.
Apply critical thinking and advanced data analytics to identify trends, patterns, risks, and emerging issues embedded in KPI results.
Deliver polished, executive-level KPI summaries and dashboards that are clear, concise, and decision-focused.
Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Benefits

USC offers a wide variety of benefits and programs that support our staff and their families.
This support advocates work-life balance and employee well-being.
USC employees are connected by the traditions and history that make us proud to be Trojans and the work culture thrives on mutual respect, trust, and synergy amongst all its members.

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