Senior Financial Analyst; Residential Services - University of Pennsylvania

University Overview


The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.




Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.




The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.








Posted Job Title

Senior Financial Analyst; Residential Services





Job Profile Title

Accountant/Financial Analyst Senior





Job Description Summary






Job Description


The Senior Financial Analyst (SFA) is a key Residential and Hospitality Services (RHS) Finance team member, reporting to the Director of Fiscal Operations. This role requires strong client orientation and clear communication of complex financial information, as it involves interacting with various finance and operational partners. The SFA serves as the primary finance business partner for Penn’s Residential Services operational leadership, overseeing an $86M budget that includes student housing assignments, building operations for Penn’s College Houses, and maintenance and capital investment planning for the Residential portfolio (14 buildings, 6,100 students, $78M budget), along with $8M in RHS administrative overhead expenses. The SFA monitors operational performance, reviews financial reporting with leaders, leads the budget and forecasting process, and develops decision support models.




Additionally, the SFA consolidates and reports financial and operational information for the Residential and Hospitality Services Center, handling both ad hoc requests and formal reporting deadlines, including budgets, forecasts, and monthly and quarterly reports to the Business Services (BSD) and Executive Vice President (EVP) Divisions, Capital Plan, and fiscal year-end. A key responsibility is managing and framing the RHS long-term strategic model and capital plan, leading internal reviews, partnering with the Business Services Financial Planning and Analysis team, and preparing analysis for Divisional leadership.




The SFA supervises one Business Administrator who manages day-to-day fiscal operations for Residential Services, ensuring a strong control environment. This includes handling transactions and reconciliations for payroll, procurement, accounts payable, balance sheet, and general ledger accounts and conducting fiscal close processes in compliance with BSD and University policies. The SFA is also responsible for following and recommending established policy and procedural improvements.




Job Duties:

+ Provides financial leadership and support to operational leaders through financial planning, budgeting, capital planning, and other necessary tasks.

+ Manages the Residential Services (RS) Business Administrator to ensure all transactions maintain a strong control environment with proper checks and balances.

+ Consolidates and reports financial and operational information for the Residential and Hospitality Services Center, meeting formal reporting deadlines for budgets, forecasts, and monthly and quarterly reports to the Business Services (BSD) and Executive Vice President (EVP) Divisions, Capital Plan, and fiscal year-end.

+ Maintains the FIRM and Housing Endowment budget for funding internal projects in Residential Services, allocates funding to FRES for project work, and coordinates with operational directors to revise planning for each forecast cycle.

+ Oversees the RHS overhead budget, which includes IT, Marketing, Finance, and Communication.

+ Delivers financial and strategic analysis to drive decisions across Residential Services, considering both return on investment and maximizing student satisfaction.

+ Develops and maintains the budget for RHS Overhead, encompassing central services finance, IT, communications, marketing, and professional development.






Qualifications:

+ Bachelor's Degree required, along with 5 to 7 years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience (a higher degree is desirable).

+ Experience within a University setting and/or the housing or hospitality industry is preferred.

+ Superior financial and accounting skills and excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills are essential.

+ Strong fiscal management and decision-making abilities are also required.

+ Demonstrated experience in managing multiple projects simultaneously and working independently.

+ Collaborate effectively with university partners, administration, business, and community leaders.

+ Demonstrated supervisory experience is necessary.






About the Division of Business Services


The Business Services Division (BSD) supports the individual and collective needs of the Penn community by promoting a hospitable, customer-friendly campus environment and providing mission-critical services and essential operations. BSD is dedicated to delivering high-quality service in a fiscally responsible manner. Currently, the Division focuses on three major initiatives:

+ Revenue growth/retention through improved marketing efforts, extended services, and the development of new distribution channels.

+ Driving productivity for the Division and its customers through the better use of technology.

+ Enhancing service offerings through upgrades and expansions of facilities. ​






For more information on BSD, visit: https://www.business-services.upenn.edu/




About Residential & Hospitality Services


Residential & Hospitality Services is one of 17 departments reporting to the Division of Business Services. Consistent with the Business Services mission, our underlying philosophy is to provide our clients with high-quality services in a fiscally responsible manner. Residential & Hospitality Services is a group of dedicated, innovative, and student-centered staff that oversees the on-campus living and dining, as well as conferences, programs, and events hosted at Penn. The team works closely with other partners to provide students and guests with services that support living and learning at the University of Pennsylvania.






Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania





Department / School

Residential and Hospitality Services





Pay Range

$61,046.00 - $95,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.




Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.




Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.




University Benefits

+ Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

+ Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

+ Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

+ Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

+ Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

+ Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

+ Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

+ University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

+ Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

+ Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

+ Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

+ Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.




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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay



The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.