How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary
The Resource Planning and Management unit in the College of Engineering seeks a highly skilled and experienced Finance Continuous Improvement Specialist, who will support the Director of Budget and Financial Operations, to join our team. This individual will be critical to spearheading efforts to enhance and streamline our financial and budget processes, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness. This individual will analyze and measure the effectiveness of existing financial business processes, develop sustainable, repeatable, and quantifiable improvements, ensure comprehensive process documentation, oversee website updates, and ensure accurate reporting through effective data visualization. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in one or more areas, such as bench-marking, business process analysis and process improvement, change management and measurement, and process-driven systems requirements.
Resource Planning and Management (RPM) provides administrative support services for financial planning and management, human resources, research administration, and facilities planning and management for the College of Engineering. As the main administrative unit of the College, RPM reports directly to the Dean and works closely with CoE's academic leaders to sustain and advance the academic mission of the College.
Who We Are
Michigan Engineers are world-class educators, researchers, students and staff who strive to build a people-first future. As part of a top national public research institution, Michigan Engineering's mission is to provide scientific and technological leadership to the people of the world, develop intellectually curious and socially conscious minds, create collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promote an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good.
Responsibilities*
- Lead efforts to improve financial processes while continuously maintaining and analyzing existing financial and budget operations for effectiveness and efficiency
- Develop sustainable, repeatable, and quantifiable business process improvements
- Research best business practices within and outside the organization to establish benchmark data to guide process improvement initiatives
- Collect and analyze process data to initiate and develop business practices that reduce risk, increase productivity, and reduce cost
- Integrate new technologies into existing and new processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, including AI
- Solve complex problems and take a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions
- Establish key performance metrics and track them to measure and drive improvement
- Development and implementation of standards and procedures to ensure high-quality financial processes and operational outcomes
- Oversee financial projects, ensuring they meet deliverables
- Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful project implementation
- Manage the annual internal controls program for the College of Engineering (CoE)
- Ensure that all financial processes adhere to college and university policies
- Regularly review and update processes to comply with changing regulations and best practices
- Partner with CoE units to ensure robust compliance
- Develop and sustain comprehensive documentation for all financial processes
- Serve as the lead liaison for assigned areas and communicate effectively with CoE units
- Lead and manage a community of practice focused on financial processes to encourage knowledge-sharing and best practices
- Organize workshops, webinars, and training sessions for community members
- Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate financial process improvements
- Communicate complex financial information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences
- Oversee and update the CoE finance websites and communication platforms
- Act as the liaison for dashboards to ensure accurate reporting and effective data visualization
- Perform other duties as requested
Required Qualifications*
- A bachelor's degree in business administration, or a related field is often preferred
- Minimum of 7+ years of progressive responsibility in operational management, project management, or process optimization, or related areas
- Demonstrated ability to identify inefficiencies and implement innovative solutions to optimize processes
- Experience in leading projects from initiation to completion, ensuring milestones and deliverables are met on time and within budget
- Expertise in building and maintaining solid relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and external partners
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information to financial and non-financial audiences
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, analyze, and interpret process data.
- Experience with bench-marking and applying best practices across various business processes
- Exceptional problem-solving skills with the ability to find innovative solutions to complex problems
- Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive employee and business information with utmost confidentiality
- Ability to multitask, meet pressing deadlines, and anticipate needs. Highly proactive, with a high sense of accountability for work tasks, and adaptability
- Ability to manage time effectively with a high degree of accuracy. Highly detail-oriented and able to work in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment
- Excellent computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite programs, i.e., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and utilizing Google tools, i.e., sheets, forms, etc.
Desired Qualifications*
- Knowledge of university financial policies and practices
- In-depth understanding of how new information technologies can support business process re-engineering, including leveraging AI
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.