Program Financial Analyst

Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy•Tucson, AZ

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Program Financial Analyst (PFA) reports to the Associate Director of Administration and is a key member of NOIRLab’s Management Support Services (MSS) organization. MSS includes the Portfolio Management Office (PMO), Finance, Document Management, and other shared business services. NOIRLab is a complex, matrixed organization with an annual budget of approximately $116M, executed across five Programs and four Service areas. The PFA serves as the primary financial partner for assigned Program(s) and/or Service(s), providing end‑to‑end financial planning, analysis, reporting, and compliance support. This is a mid‑level, high‑impact role for a hands‑on financial analyst who enjoys partnering with leadership, translating technical financial data into insights, and supporting data‑driven decision‑making in a mission‑driven, scientific research environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or equivalent relevant experience.
4+ years of experience in Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) or a similar role.
Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Deltek Costpoint, Oracle, Sage, or similar).
Advanced Excel skills and experience working with large, complex data sets.
Strong analytical and critical‑thinking skills.
Exceptional attention to detail.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to partner across all levels.
Demonstrated curiosity, adaptability, and interest in improving and streamlining processes.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree (MBA or similar) or professional financial certification.
Experience with Deltek Costpoint and Cognos BI.
Experience with business intelligence and data tools (Access, SQL, Business Objects).
Background in federally sponsored research, non‑profit, or government contract environments.
Familiarity with OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), FAR and CAS.
Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM).
Familiarity with indirect rate development and application.
Experience training others on financial systems or tools.
Proficiency with collaboration tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Confluence, Asana, JIRA).
Experience in international, multicultural, or high‑technology environments.
Working knowledge of Spanish.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary financial partner to Program and/or Service leadership and budget managers.
Provide tailored, end‑to‑end financial planning, analysis, and decision‑support services.
Develop and maintain metrics and dashboards to monitor financial health, trends, and risks.
Lead financial support for assigned Program(s)/Service(s) during the annual Program Operating Plan (POP) process.
Support preparation of quarterly and annual external financial reports to the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Partner with budget managers and AURA Central Administrative Services (CAS) to develop bottom‑up budgets using appropriate methodologies (e.g., earned value where applicable).
Produce recurring in‑year and multi‑year forecasts, rolling budgets, and estimates at completion (EAC).
Maintain workforce plans, hiring assumptions, and detailed staffing changes to support quarterly forecasting and reporting.
Incorporate scope changes, updated cost data, and evolving assumptions into forecasts.
Collaborate with stakeholders to develop compliant, realistic budgets for new funding opportunities and proposals.
Translate technical scope into fully costed labor and non‑labor budgets.
Develop bases of estimate and provide financial guidance through proposal submission.
Analyze budget vs. actual variances, funding availability, and financial risks.
Identify and recommend corrective actions and mitigation strategies.
Design and implement new financial reports and analyses in response to emerging needs.
Partner with CAS and external experts to develop analytical tools and improve reporting capabilities.
Support NOIRLab’s internal controls and ensure compliance with NOIRLab policies and procedures, AURA policies, and contractual and award requirements.
Advise managers on applicability of OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).
Contribute to continuous improvement of NOIRLab’s financial planning, analysis, and control processes.
Work closely with other PFAs, the NOIRLab Finance team, PMO, Management Team, and CAS.
Support cross‑functional initiatives and organizational financial coherence.