Strategic Projects Manager, University Finance Office

Santa Clara University • Santa Clara, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager of Strategic Projects is a visionary, high-level individual contributor responsible for leading complex operational transformations within the University Finance Office. Reporting directly to the AVP for Finance, this role's primary and most urgent mandate is to re-engineer and modernize the University’s endowment and investment reconciliation processes. Secondary initiatives include optimizing the gift revenue accounting cycle and transitioning student account reconciliations to the Bursar’s Office. This position acts as a technical process architect, requiring deep expertise in GAAP, university endowment accounting, complex investment structures (Alternative Investments), and financial systems integrations.

Requirements

• Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of financial process re-engineering, specifically within the context of university business offices.
• Deep technical understanding of GAAP, ASC 820 fair market value adjustments, and the accounting lifecycle of Alternative Investments including capital calls and K-1s).
• Experience in the use of technology to illustrate complex financial reports, comparisons, impact studies
• Commitment to understand and support Santa Clara University’s distinctive Jesuit educational vision and further the mission, values and goals of the University
• Demonstrated mastery in auditing manual, spreadsheet based "statement balancing" workflows and rebuilding them into automated, unitized validation models.
• Proven ability to act as a catalyst for change, driving the adoption of modernized workflows across disparate departments (e.g., Development, Controller, and Bursar) without direct supervisory authority.
• Expert-level ability to use technology to illustrate complex financial reports, perform impact studies, and execute creative solutions to historical reconciliation issues.
• Exceptional interpersonal and negotiation skills, necessary for leading high-stakes project "handoffs" and training senior staff on new institutional processes.
• A commitment to inclusion and diversity and a demonstrated ability to work with an increasingly diverse campus community
• Ability to operate independently as a strategic lead, managing complex, multi-phase operational transformations from audit to implementation.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with high-pressure mandates-- set priorities, meet deadlines and maintain a high level of performance in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions
• Ability to work effectively with school administrators, faculty, students and staff as well as university administrators at various levels within a diverse multicultural environment
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and ensure the absolute accuracy and timeliness of critical university financial functions under tight deadlines.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required
• 10-12 years of progressive accounting experience, with demonstrated success leading complex operational transformations in complex organizations.

Nice To Haves

• CPA or Master's degree highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Completely modernize and automate the reconciliation workflows between the Investment Custodians (e.g., TNT, Northern Trust), the General Ledger (Workday), and the Endowment Management System (Fundriver).
• Conduct a deep-dive audit of current month-end investment accounting tasks. Work alongside the Investment & Financial Reporting Manager to transition away from manual spreadsheet-based "statement balancing" toward automated unitization and market value validations.
• Redesign the tracking, recording, and reconciliation mechanisms for Alternative Investments, capital calls, distributions, and K-1s. Establish a more streamlined solution for capturing fair market value adjustments (ASC 820) for illiquid assets.
• Establish a new, rigorous monthly and quarterly review cadence. Create comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) ensuring that investment activity is accurately unitized in Fundriver and securely posted to the General Ledger well ahead of fiscal year-end audit deadlines.
• Resolve historical reconciliation issues between the Development Office’s donor database (CLARA) and the Finance General Ledger.
• Analyze the "holding/clearing fund" process. Redesign the workflow to minimize the volume of gifts sitting in suspense accounts during month-end and quarter-end close.
• Lead the strategic "lift and shift" of student account reconciliations from the Controller’s Office to the Bursar’s Office.
• Audit current workflows performed by the Accounting Manager/Senior Accountant related to student financials and optimize.
• Serve as the transitional process owner to stabilize student account and agency fund reconciliations (e.g., Cal Grants, Title IV). Once the vacant University Bursar position is filled, systematically train the new Bursar and their staff to take over these reconciliations.
• Recommends initiatives and implements changes to improve quality and services.
• Identifies and determines cause of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices.
• Maintains contact with customers and solicits feedback for improved services.
• Maximizes productivity through use of appropriate tools; planned training and performance initiatives.
• Researches and develops resources that create timely and efficient workflow.
• Prepares progress reports; informs supervisor of project status; and deviation from goals.
• Ensures completeness, accuracy and timeliness of all operational functions.
• Develops and implements guidelines to support the functions of the unit.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees with programs and resources designed to promote and sustain personal health care, well-being, and the financial objectives of our employees and families.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees