Senior Finance Specialist - Financial Planning and Projects

Louisiana Public Health Institute•New Orleans, LA

33d•$77,000 - $95,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Financial Specialist – Financial Planning and Projects is a specialist-level role responsible for financial planning and analysis, grant and project financial operations, and management reporting. This position supports organizational decision-making by preparing budgets, forecasts, grant billing, and financial reports while ensuring accuracy, compliance, and transparency. The role operates as a high-impact individual contributor within the Finance team and in partnership with other internal teams.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance with a minimum of five (5) years experience financial analysis, grant finance, non-profit accounting, invoicing and collections, and completing and supporting program and organizational budget development.
Knowledge of nonprofit accounting standards
Experience in managing local, state, and federal government grant programs; and philanthropic foundation grants.
Experience preparing budgets, forecasts, and variance analysis.
Experience submitting invoice packets to external partners or clients.
Excellent reasoning and analytical skills.
Strong oral and written skills.
Demonstrated capacity and ability to lead and manage projects.
Excellent time management and organizational skills, with careful attention to detail.
Advanced knowledge and use of Microsoft Excel (e.g. financial modeling, pivot tables, formulas)
Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Power Point.
Sound and strategic judgment, ability to solve problems, and nimbleness in adapting to changing circumstances.
Demonstrated ability to manage multi-faceted projects and perform well under pressure.
Ability to work with diverse personalities with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.

Nice To Haves

Commitment to public health and achieving health equity.
Experience in managing government and philanthropic foundation grant programs.
Experience documenting financial policies and procedures.
Experience working with restricted funding and cost allocation.
Experience in web-based accounting and financial planning software.
Experience supporting audits or funder financial reviews.
Ability to work in a team-based environment, and an orientation to the work that recognizes and values the contributions of all team members.
Ability to collaborate effectively and build strong, positive relationships with colleagues and partners, both internal and external to LPHI.
Exceptional emotional intelligence, including interpersonal skills and experience working with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds.
Demonstrated learning orientation.
Ability to champion innovation and changes within an organization.
Demonstrated ability to deliver with excellent quality and impact.
Ability to apply systems thinking and act strategically.
Desire to support the development of individuals and team.

Responsibilities

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
Prepare annual operating budgets, including program- and grant-level budgets.
Develop and maintain rolling forecasts and financial models.
Perform budget-to-actual variance analysis and prepare clear narrative explanations.
Support scenario modeling and ad hoc financial analysis for leadership.
Assist with preparation of internal management and board-ready financial materials.
Grant & Project Finance
Develop and maintain grant and project budgets.
Monitor grant spending, burn rates, and funding timelines.
Prepare grant and project billing calculations and supporting documentation.
Produce funder-required financial reports in accordance with grant agreements.
Identify potential compliance risks and escalate issues as appropriate.
Support cost allocation and tracking across programs and funding sources.
Reporting & Data Analysis
Prepare monthly and quarterly financial reports for departments and programs.
Maintain dashboards, schedules, and reporting templates.
Ensure consistency and accuracy of financial data across reports.
Translate financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-finance staff.
Cross-Functional Support
Partner with program and department leaders to support financial understanding and accountability, including training.
Provide close-related schedules and reports to the Assistant Controller.
Support audit and monitoring requests related to grants and program finance.
Collaborate with finance teammates to improve budgeting, reporting, and grant workflows.
Aid Assistant Controller in conducting finance trainings with other LPHI teams.
Support Assistant Controller in the creation of finance manuals to document internal processes and training manuals available to non-finance teams.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

LPHI contributes 7% of pre-tax salary to the employees’ 401k per pay period regardless of employee contribution, after six continuous months of employment
100% paid premiums for employee health (Core plan), dental, short-term disability, long-term disability and term life insurance beginning on the first day of the month, on or following one month of full-time employment
100% paid Employee Assistance Program
100% paid parking at 601 Tchoupitoulas Parking Garage
Traditional, flexible, or compressed work schedules
Resources committed to professional development
15+ paid holidays per year that includes Thanksgiving Break and Winter Break
10 vacation days accrued per year, years 0-2
15 vacation days accrued per year, years 3-5
20 vacation days accrued per year, year 6+
3 personal days
1 floating holiday (employee’s choice)
12 sick days