Financial Specialist at George Mason University

RPRC Financial Specialist – Office of the Dean

The George Mason University Office of the Dean, within the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC), invites applications for a Financial Specialist. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

About the Position:

The successful candidate will support the research efforts of the Rapid Prototyping Research Center (RPRC) in the College of Engineering and Computing; will provide financial analysis, budgeting, fiscal operations, and financial reporting in support of the RPRC activity; and will have a dual reporting structure to both the CEC Chief Business Officer and RPRC Director.

About the Department:

The Chief Business Officer provides supervision and oversight of CEC’s financial planning and management, research administration functions, human resources and IT functions. The Chief Business Officer also plays a central role in the collaboration and process improvement, and strategic planning processes for CEC.

The Rapid Prototyping Research Center (RPRC) focuses on providing its Department of Defense (DOD) sponsors a unique perspective on rapid prototyping that aligns with Section 804 in the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act. Specifically, rather than developing a new system to satisfy intractable problems on the battlefield, RPRC integrates new technology into existing infrastructure. This unique approach reduces acquisition costs since the sustainment tail is in place. It also reduces the time to field intractable solutions to the battlefield from 10-14 years down to 1-3 years, and provides assurance that the prototype involved is integrated with the latest technology; not dated technology due to lengthy acquisition delivery timelines.

Responsibilities:

Fiscal Operations

• In partnership with CEC Research Administrator and RPRC Portfolio Managers, ensures proper labor allocations for RPRC faculty and staff between projects and indirect funding sources;
• Assist with reviewing and approving financial transactions such as purchase card transactions, travel reimbursement requests, and purchase order requisitions; and
• Ensure RPRC fixed assets are properly inventoried, asset tagged and safeguarded in accordance with University policies and procedures.

Proposal Budget Development

• Work with PI to create budgets and budget justifications that accurately reflect the effort and resource commitments of each proposal;
• Verify subcontractor cost proposals are complete, accurate, and in accordance with costing guidance;
• Review budgets with PI to ensure adequate funding request is made for the project and that appropriate F&A rate are applied, fiscal and operational aspects of projects are clarified; and
• Bring potential administrative concerns (F&A distribution, cost-sharing, allowable or unallowable cost considerations) to the attention of the CEC Director of Research Administration for resolution.

Financial Reporting

• Prepare Monthly Financial Report for RPRC that includes both sponsored research activity as well as center operation costs funded through indirect funding sources;
• Provided analysis of RPRC Financial performance to RPRC and CEC leadership teams on a quarterly basis; and
• Assist Senior Research Portfolio Managers with monthly portfolio financial summaries consisting of all government contract and subcontract modifications, funding increments, expenditures, and financial burn rates for all projects.

Forecasting & Model Development

• Develop annual forecast of RPRC financial activity (both direct and indirect costs) on a quarterly basis and shares analysis of projected financial health of RPRC to leadership team; and
• Assist RPRC Management team in ensuring adequate funding availability by maintaining accurate records of expenditures, directing preparation of expenditure projections, supports submitting timely requests for additional funding to the government.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration; or a combination of education and experience;
• Security Clearance or the ability to obtain one;
• Prior experience with budget development and analysis of costing data;
• Prior experience synthesizing large amounts of data into easily understood financial reports;
• Experience with developing forecast and business models;
• Applicable knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFAR) Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance;
• Proficient communication skills (written and verbal);
• Advanced MS Office skills in word processing, excel and PowerPoint;
• Prior experience with budgeting and financial systems or software;
• Prior experience maintaining harmonious working relationships with a population of diverse individuals; and
• Prior experience maintaining confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with supporting sponsored research and conducting costing analysis; and
• Previous experience working in the areas below:
• Working as a budget or financial analyst with multi-million-dollar budgets;
• Aligning resources with strategic priorities and forecasting future needs;
• Interacting with high level executives providing visioning to their budget; and
• Interpreting and enforcing policies and procedures.

A Force for Innovation in the Heart of Northern Virginia’s Technology Corridor

The College of Engineering and Computing at George Mason University is comprised of the Volgenau School of Engineering and a new School of Computing. The College is a fast-growing force for innovation in research and education. Ranked nationally in the top 100 in both undergraduate and graduate education, the College boasts more than 9,100 students in 37 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs, including several first-in-the-nation offerings. Of the 271 full-time faculty who comprise the College, 91 are tenured, 59 are tenure-track, 89 are instructional faculty, and 32 are research faculty. As part of a nationally ranked research university, its research teams expended $75 million in sponsored research awards in the past year and has projects with over $400 million in current and anticipated awards. The College stands out for its leading research in areas such as artificial intelligence, data analytics engineering, cybersecurity engineering, biomedical imaging and devices, community-based healthcare, autonomous systems, 5G/Next G communications, systems architectures, computational biomedicine, advanced materials and manufacturing, sustainable infrastructure, and more. The College encourages multidisciplinary research and provides ample opportunity for faculty to work with other disciplines.

George Mason University is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, with an enrollment of over 39,000 students studying in over 200 degree programs. Mason is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in a range of academic fields. It was classified as an R1 research institution in 2016 by the Carnegie Classifications of Institutes of Higher Education. Mason has campuses in Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William. Its proximity to Washington, D.C. provides unmatched geographical access to a number of federal agencies and national laboratories. Northern Virginia is also home to one of the largest concentrations of high-tech firms in the nation, providing excellent opportunities for interaction with industry. The region is consistently rated as being among the best places to live in the country, and has an outstanding local public school system.

In conjunction with Amazon’s decision to establish a second headquarters in Northern Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia announced a multi-year plan to invest in the growth of degree programs in computing. George Mason University has committed to accelerate its plans to grow its capacity in computing and high-tech fields. Among the exciting initiatives being undertaken by the university are the launch of the Institute for Digital InnovAtion, a university think tank and incubator to serve the digital economy, and the expansion of its Arlington Campus with a planned 400,000 square foot building that will house the new Institute for Digital InnovAtion. These initiatives reflect hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment by Mason that will rapidly elevate the university’s already leading national position in computing and related areas.

Special Instructions to Applicants  

For full consideration, applicants must complete the online application at jobs.gmu.edu/ for position number 03179Z; and attach a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information. Full consideration will apply to applicants who submit their completed application by May 3, 2022; however, review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.