Field Finance Manager

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL) Office of the Chief Financial Officer Division has an opening for a Field Finance Manager to join the team.

This position is matrixed from the CFO Field Finance Department to an assigned area/division(s) to provide line management to a team of resource analysts (2 to 10) as well as detailed and comprehensive program/project budget management, planning and analysis services while operating within the Lab’s financial policies and procedures and exercising independent judgment.

This includes providing financial support and consultative advice to Area/Division Management, scientific investigators and their research programs/projects or operations managers covering parts of the assigned division’s annual funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), other direct sponsors, and/or the Laboratory’s Operations Division. Applies broad expertise or unique knowledge of program/project/functional area, Federal Cost Accounting Standards, the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (LBL), University of California (UC), DOE and other funding agencies’ policies and procedures in performing highly advanced budget planning and analysis, including broad-based forecasting, modeling, scenario management, and contingency and long range planning. Independently develop solutions to diverse, complex problems, where decisions and solutions have significant impact on major programs/projects.

What You Will Do:

• Provides effective line management and leadership, supervision and workload management for assigned OCFO Field Finance staff, resource analyst(s), providing financial services matrixed to assigned areas/divisions who provide financial services to the Areas. In collaboration with the Senior Field Finance Management Team, participate in recruiting and hiring excellent staff. 

• Review the quality control of work products prepared by assigned staff members with respect to compliance with the funding agency’s guidelines, and compliance with LBNL, DOE and UC policies, processes and guidelines.

• Maintains a working understanding of the Laboratory’s financial and reporting systems in order to mentor staff how to apply them to specific tasks at hand or for special projects.

• Foster a diverse workforce and support the lab’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program.

• Demonstrate an operational understanding of labor/employee relations issues and communicate information to subordinates on working conditions, career opportunities, and compensation.

• Understand and implement the Laboratory's affirmative action as well as safety policies and practices.

• Directs the planning and execution of Area and multi-division financial analysis, broad-based forecasting, and modeling to inform Area strategic planning decision-making.

• Exert significant latitude in resolving highly impactful issues utilizing broad knowledge of DOE and SPP/CRADA sponsor policies, contract terms, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) and other Laboratory policies to provide budget planning and analytical services for all fund types including operating, capital equipment and fabrications, LDRD and gifts. Serve as liaison with Divisional management teams, OCFO and SPO staff regarding funding, costing and other project management issues.

• Continually evaluates current and future financial management needs of client Divisions and implements strategic approaches while assuring effective fiduciary stewardship, such as adherence to budgets, schedules, work plans and performance requirements.  Develops strategies to enhance data collection and financial management and reporting by utilizing and customizing advanced reporting capabilities. 

• May contribute to the development of financial services strategies for the financial staff that aligns with the OCFO Strategic Roadmap and Area financial management needs to assure that staff meets the needs of the client Areas while fulfilling their fiduciary stewardship responsibilities.

• May provide areas’/divisions’ perspective and needs when consulting, advising, and supporting Lab-wide financial management issues resolution or process improvement initiatives. 

• May manage and lead pre-award financial support for a mix of research programs funded by DOE and SPP sponsors including proposal development, subcontract processing, and coordination with internal and external contacts such LBNL Strategic Partnerships Office (SPO), OCFO Budget Office’s Reimbursable Group, and sponsors.  

• Oversees post-award financial management. This includes: developing and directing the preparation of short and long-range budget forecasts;  performing extensive, trend analysis and cost modeling, including estimating manpower and other project costs;  anticipating and managing gaps in funding to keep programs operational, and ensuring that personnel are supported during contract continuations and multiple sponsor project starts; developing and managing implementation of contingency plans; Managing bridge funding requirements; Managing highly complex program/project/functional activities from inception to close-out; Develop highly complex standard and ad hoc financial reports and for various stakeholders.

• Leverages broad understanding of Divisions' mission and objectives and business model(s) in recommending strategies for managing financial matters Provides technical and consultative services to deliver best-value solutions that balance quality, timeliness, cost and risk to support short- and long-term Area goals in alignment with institutional goals and responsibilities.  Provides specialized expertise to the Associate Lab Directors, Division Directors, and Deputies for Operations in the interpretation and application of LBNL, Dept. of Energy, UC, and a broad range of Strategic Partnership Projects (SPPs) financial and administrative policies. 

• Demonstrates expert capabilities in leading the achievement of the mission and strategic direction of both OCFO and matrixed organizations.

• Leverages established network of relationships and fosters the development of cross-divisional and hierarchical relationships through influencing dialogue; Promotes collaborative working relationships with internal and external customers/partners including area/division management as well as senior Lab management, in order to resolve extremely challenging and complex issues that are highly impactful to the Lab.

• Demonstrates accountability, where decisions and solutions have significant impact to the Lab; Embodies customer service ethos while promoting financial stewardship.

• Consistently prioritizes highly complex assignments and delegates tasks to direct reports or cross-functional team members to meet competing organizational commitments.

What is Required:

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5 years of relevant career experience in an accounting, finance, business or related field in a research, academic or large/complex organization, and financial leadership, preferably in a large research organization.

• Expertise in business, budgeting and accounting principles including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).  Expert knowledge of cost accounting standards (CAS) and other Federal processes and regulations.

• Expert in providing financial advice and consultative services, including short and long-range financial planning, estimating, budgeting, cost and effort tracking, analysis and forecasting, indirect rate development, monitoring expenses appropriateness, tracking and reporting and project close-out.

• Experience with leading and supervising a team. Provide staff with guidance and training to ensure assigned area/division are provided with quality, comprehensive and effective services/deliverables.

• Strong and advanced organizational, analytic and problem solving skills – including experience independently organizing relevant information, presenting options and impacts and recommending solutions.

• Expert-level experience with spreadsheets and financial databases, such as Excel, and PeopleSoft financial applications and other relevant software applications. Expert-level experience with Excel data analysis functions and creating macros. Experience in creating effective standard and ad hoc reports and presentations, including the effective use of charts and graphs.

• Proven ability to build relationships and trust, gain a comprehensive understanding of client area/division mission, sponsors and needs, interact effectively with a broad range of customers at varying levels within the organization, such as senior area/division managers, PIs, divisional budget analysts and LBNL staff. 

• Ability to interact effectively with a diverse and broad range of customers, including scientists, operations managers/staff, divisional resource analysts, other LBNL departmental staff, and program sponsors and other external stakeholders; Ability to articulate the key issues and summarize solutions and recommendations in a manner that meets client needs while building client confidence and trust. Excellent written and verbal communications skills and customer service focus.

• Is familiar with applicable Federal Acquisition Regulations and Department of Energy Acquisition Regulations.

• Demonstrated proficiency with Windows-based personal computer systems.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master's degree or equivalent in accounting, finance, business or related field.

• Extensive knowledge of Federal Cost Accounting Standards and other Federal process and regulations.

• Extensive knowledge of DOE, UC, LBNL and SPP financial policies and procedures and reporting requirements.

• Extensive knowledge of contract and grant proposal administration; reviewing & interpreting solicitations, proposal preparation, and understanding of research administration guidelines of federal and non-federal sponsors.

• Working knowledge and experience with PeopleSoft financial applications.

Want to learn more about Berkeley Lab's Culture, Benefits and answers to FAQs? Please visit: https://recruiting.lbl.gov/

Notes:

• This is a full-time, career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.

• Salary for this position will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, and certifications, and also aligned with the internal peer group. The budgeted annual salary range is $139,822.00 to $172,721.00. 

• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.

• Work will be primarily performed at Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) — Bldg. 971, 6401 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA.

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Equal Opportunity and IDEA Information Links:

Know your rights, click here for the supplement: Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law and the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision under 41 CFR 60-1.4.