Manager, Financial Decision Support - University of Maryland Medical System

With roots that go as far back as 1895, the UM Rehab & Ortho Institute continues to be a pioneer in orthopedics and neurological disorders. From bones to brains, our cutting-edge hospital heals even the most serious of injuries, specializing in everything from total joint replacement to spinal cord injuries and neurological condition.  In total, our 141-bed facility welcomes over 3,000 patients every year. As the state’s largest provider of inpatient rehabilitation services, we offer some of the most advanced therapies for stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic and sports injury, among many others.

General Summary

Under the general supervision, manages financial decision support services for an entity or entities within the University of Maryland Medical System.  Responsible for researching, designing, negotiating and executing financial decision support projects with clinical and administrative personnel.  This position provides a central focus for decision support activities involved in budgeting and cost accounting. Additionally, this position supports clinical resource analysis, performance, and benchmarking as well as supervising and mentoring decision support analysts.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified nor do all individuals in this position necessarily have responsibility for all the functions.

• Manages components of the budget processes of the entity including:
• Meeting with cost center managers to prepare annual budgets
• Preparation of monthly financial statement analysis to understand and communicate reasons for budget variances.
• Prepares and distributes financial reporting to support the goals of the entity.
• Monthly volume reporting as well as analyzing and reporting of material variances.
• FTE, salary and productivity reporting.
• Reporting of physician expenses including, if necessary for the entity, routine discussions with the School of Medicine in order to facilitate accurate reporting.
• Completes financial analysis as necessary to support operational goals including:
• Business development analysis to support potential new investments.
• Analysis of cost savings initiatives including facilitating meetings with physicians and hospital leadership to organize efforts.
• Manages the maintenance and utilization of the cost accounting module of the HPM Cost Accounting system.
• Facilitates the quarterly preparation and distribution of clinical service profit/(loss) statements.
• Analyzes, assesses and implements cost accounting rules utilizing appropriate methodologies to accurately capture and maintain procedural costs for Medical Center operations.
• Educates internal and external customers on the methodologies beyond the cost accounting data and appropriate usage.
• Directs the planning and preparation of future cost accounting analyses to aid management in financial decision making.
• Manages and directs a staff of decision support analysts who perform budgeting, cost accounting, business analysis and reporting.
• Performs individual performance evaluations and recommends and/or initiates disciplinary actions, as needed.  Establishes clear and concise work procedures and expectations.  Assesses performance levels by monitoring results and providing positive and constructive feedback.
• Assures timely and accurate completion of work by monitoring daily work activities.  Reviews weekly workload and realign priorities as needed.
• Trains staff on new practices and otherwise promotes staff professional development.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree is required, or equivalent combination of education and experience. MBA, CPA or Master's degree in Finance, preferred.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible, financial planning, financial systems, financial analysis or budgeting experience is required.  Decision support background preferred.
• Experience supervising, monitoring daily work activities, evaluating, training and motivating the performance of subordinate technical, professional and clerical support staff is preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of spreadsheet and database software and graphic/specialty and other finance related software programs, as well as technical knowledge of computer hardware and software components.
• Highly effective oral and written communication skills are necessary in dealing with a variety of healthcare and finance professionals including Senior Management staff.                                             
• Excellent organization and problem-solving skills and team leadership skills are required to develop and implement efficient work processes.  Ability to work in a stress environment.
• Ability to judge the level of confidentiality of information/activities involved in and exhibit integrity in use or dissemination of such information.
• Ability to assess and evaluate complex financial data via use of computer analysis.
• Ability to tactfully motivate and guide Senior Management, Vice Presidents, Administrators, Directors, Department Managers, and co-workers while maintaining required degree of confidentiality and purpose.  May often be called upon to address groups of various sizes, discuss/debate alternatives with other professionals and/or arbitrate differences of opinion and/or focus.