Senior Financial Analyst; Residential & Hospitality Services

University of Pennsylvania•Philadelphia, PA

2d•$76,000 - $90,000

About The Position

The Senior Financial Analyst (SFA) is a key member of the Residential and Hospitality Services (RHS) Finance team, reporting to the Director of Fiscal Operations. This role requires strong client-service orientation and the ability to clearly communicate complex financial information, as it involves frequent collaboration with finance and operational partners across the University. The SFA serves as the primary financial business partner for Penn’s Hospitality Services (HS) operational leadership, supporting an $11M operating budget that includes Dining operations (vending and small cafés), Conference Services, the University Club, and capital investments related to dining facilities. In addition, the SFA provides financial oversight of the $34M External Dining portfolio, managed by Bon Appétit Management Company. The SFA leads the consolidation, analysis, and reporting of financial and operational data to support budgeting, forecasting, dining capital planning, and monthly, quarterly, and fiscal year-end reporting to the Business Services Division (BSD) and Executive Vice President (EVP) divisions. The role partners closely with BSD Financial Planning & Analysis and prepares materials and insights to support divisional leadership decision-making. The SFA also equips Hospitality Services leaders with actionable financial insights to manage controllable expenses, supports tax compliance activities (including sales and occupancy taxes and the Conference Services UBIT return), and leads internal financial reviews across HS operations. This position supervises a Business Administrator responsible for day-to-day fiscal operations and internal controls, including transaction processing, reconciliations, asset audits, and fiscal close activities in compliance with University and BSD policies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, along with 5–7 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Strong financial and accounting expertise, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
Advanced analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and support strategic decision-making.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, lead projects independently, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
Supervisory experience and the ability to mentor staff while maintaining strong internal controls preferred.
Proven ability to build effective partnerships across business units and stakeholders.
Experience with University systems such as Business Objects, Hyperion Planning, Workday, ClearPoint, IRIS, Blackboard, and Microsoft Office preferred.
Experience in higher education and/or hospitality, housing, or dining environments preferred.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree and/or professional certification (CPA, CMA) preferred.
Supervisory experience and the ability to mentor staff while maintaining strong internal controls preferred.
Experience with University systems such as Business Objects, Hyperion Planning, Workday, ClearPoint, IRIS, Blackboard, and Microsoft Office preferred.
Experience in higher education and/or hospitality, housing, or dining environments preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary financial partner to Hospitality Services leadership, providing guidance on budgeting, financial planning, dining capital investments, and strategic initiatives.
Lead the development, consolidation, and reporting of financial and operational data, ensuring timely and accurate submission of budgets, forecasts, monthly/quarterly reports, and year-end deliverables.
Oversee the Hospitality Services operating budget, including Dining, Conference Services, the University Club, and External Dining.
Maintain Dining FIRM and HS endowment budgets, coordinating with operational leaders to adjust plans during forecast cycles.
Deliver financial analysis and insights to support decision-making, balancing financial performance with student and client experience.
Develop presentations and financial materials for divisional leadership in collaboration with RHS Finance leadership.
Partner with BSD Financial Planning & Analysis to ensure alignment with divisional financial strategy and reporting requirements.
Supervise the Business Administrator to ensure a strong internal control environment, including oversight of payroll, procurement, accounts payable, balance sheet reconciliations, and general ledger activity.
Ensure compliance with University and BSD financial policies, procedures, and reporting requirements.
Complete required tax filings, including monthly sales and occupancy taxes and the annual Conference Services UBIT return.
Support capital planning and financial modeling for dining and hospitality-related initiatives.
Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare.
You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.