Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) Finance Lead

The Finance Manager for the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) provides comprehensive financial management, analysis, reporting, and administrative oversight in support of the statewide research mission of MAES, administered through the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) at the University of Minnesota.

This position serves as the principal financial management and advisory resource for MAES, with responsibility for coordinating financial planning, budget preparation, federal capacity fund administration, financial reporting, regulatory compliance, internal controls, and financial systems and data management.

Working closely with the MAES Director, CFANS Chief Financial Officer, collegiate finance leadership, academic departments, and central University offices, the Finance Manager provides accurate financial information, analyses, projections, and recommendations to support informed leadership decisions and the effective stewardship of federal, state, and University resources.

The MAES Director retains responsibility and authority for MAES strategic priorities, programmatic direction, budgetary decisions, and resource allocations. The Finance Manager supports the Director through financial expertise, development and evaluation of financial options, implementation of approved decisions, and oversight of associated financial processes and compliance requirements.

A central responsibility of this position is the financial administration of federal capacity funds awarded through the United States Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA), including fund distribution, expenditure monitoring, reconciliations, federal financial reporting, carryforward calculations, and compliance with applicable federal requirements.

The Finance Manager supervises assigned MAES finance and accounting personnel, coordinates financial activities across the five participating colleges, and ensures that financial information, processes, and reporting systems are accurate, consistent, well documented, and responsive to institutional requirements.

The position exercises sound professional judgment within established policies and delegated administrative authority, proactively identifies financial and compliance concerns, and provides timely analysis and recommendations to MAES and CFANS leadership.

Scope of Responsibility: This position supports the MAES financial enterprise and its associated funding, reporting, and compliance obligations. Coordination with partner college and University finance leadership is necessary where MAES funding, reporting, or compliance requirements intersect with operations.

Work Schedule

• Hybrid - with regular on-campus presence expected based on operational and supervisory needs.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Essential Responsibilities

Financial Planning, Budget Development, and Resource Analysis - 20%

• Coordinate financial planning, budget development, forecasting, and resource analysis to support the MAES Director and CFANS financial leadership in the effective management of MAES resources.
  • Coordinate preparation of the annual MAES operating budget in consultation with the MAES Director, CFANS CFO, and finance leadership across participating colleges.
  • Develop and maintain financial projections, multiyear forecasts, and resource allocation models to inform leadership consideration of future financial needs and priorities.
  • Prepare financial analyses and alternative funding scenarios for review and consideration by the MAES Director.
  • Administer and monitor MAES resource allocations across the five participating colleges consistent with decisions and funding distributions approved by the MAES Director.
  • Analyze expenditures, financial commitments, fund balances, and funding trends; identify variances and matters requiring leadership review.
  • Prepare financial information and supporting documentation for proposed budget adjustments, funding reallocations, and other financial actions requiring approval.
  • Coordinate implementation of approved financial allocations and budget adjustments, ensuring accurate recording and communication to affected units.
  • Maintain records of MAES financial commitments, carryforward balances, and available resources to support transparent and accurate financial planning.
  • Coordinate fiscal-year closeout activities, reconciliations, and financial reviews for MAES-administered accounts.
  • Prepare regular financial summaries and analyses for the MAES Director, CFANS CFO, and other authorized University stakeholders.
  • Work with participating colleges and departments to ensure that approved MAES financial allocations are properly administered and recorded.

Federal Capacity Fund Administration and Compliance - 25%

• Coordinate and oversee the financial administration of MAES federal capacity funds, ensuring accurate accounting, reporting, reconciliation, and adherence to applicable federal and University requirements.
  • Administer financial processes associated with federal capacity funding, including expenditure monitoring, account reconciliation, reporting, and fiscal-year closeout.
  • Coordinate the distribution and recording of federal capacity funds in accordance with allocations approved by the MAES Director and applicable funding requirements.
  • Oversee federal fund drawdown processes, ensuring draws are accurate, appropriately documented, and reconciled to University financial records.
  • Monitor expenditures for consistency with federal requirements, authorized research activities, approved funding purposes, and applicable University policies.
  • Prepare and review federal fiscal-year carryforward calculations and provide supporting financial analyses for the MAES Director's consideration of available balances and potential uses.
  • Implement approved carryforward distributions and associated financial transactions.
  • Coordinate financial reporting requirements across participating colleges and departments receiving MAES federal capacity funding.
  • Oversee preparation and timely submission of required USDA-NIFA financial reports in accordance with applicable institutional approval and certification processes.
  • Serve as a primary financial contact with USDA-NIFA and University offices on routine financial administration, reporting, reconciliation, and compliance matters.
  • Coordinate preparation of financial records, supporting documentation, and responses to federal financial audits, reviews, and compliance inquiries.
  • Monitor changes in federal financial regulations and reporting requirements and communicate implications and recommended administrative adjustments to appropriate leadership.
  • Maintain financial controls, procedures, and documentation to support compliance and reduce financial and regulatory risk.
  • Provide technical guidance to collegiate and departmental finance staff regarding the appropriate administration and expenditure of MAES funding.
  • Coordinate with research administration and compliance partners regarding financial aspects of federal project requirements, effort allocation, and related reporting obligations.

Financial Reporting, Analysis, and Leadership Advisory Support - 20%

• Develop and maintain reliable financial reporting and analytical capabilities that provide MAES and CFANS leadership with accurate information to evaluate financial conditions, funding options, and operational requirements.
  • Coordinate preparation of routine financial reports, including budget-to-actual comparisons, expenditure summaries, fund balances, forecasts, and allocation reports.
  • Develop standardized reporting formats, dashboards, and analytical tools to improve the consistency and accessibility of MAES financial information.
  • Prepare periodic financial summaries identifying significant variances, funding trends, financial commitments, and emerging issues for leadership consideration.
  • Coordinate the preparation and reconciliation of required federal financial reports, ensuring consistency with authoritative University financial records.
  • Prepare financial analyses of alternative funding approaches, resource distributions, and projected expenditures as requested by the MAES Director or CFANS CFO.
  • Maintain reporting methodologies and financial data structures supporting MAES funding administration and financial oversight.
  • Coordinate maintenance and improvement of MAES financial databases, reporting applications, and financial websites, including federal draw reporting tools.
  • Work with University information technology, financial systems, and analytics personnel to support improvements in reporting accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility.
  • Establish and maintain appropriate data validation, reconciliation, documentation, and access procedures.
  • Respond to authorized financial analysis and reporting requests from MAES, CFANS, participating colleges, and central University administration.

Financial Operations, Internal Controls, and Process Improvement - 30%

• Oversee the effective administration of MAES financial processes, maintain appropriate internal controls, and support continuous improvement in financial operations.
  • Maintain documented financial operating procedures, reconciliations, internal controls, and reporting processes for MAES financial activities.
  • Review existing administrative and financial processes and identify opportunities to improve consistency, efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.
  • Oversee and coordinate financial transactions associated with MAES research resources, internal grant programs, and Variety Development Funds, ensuring accurate accounting, appropriate documentation, compliance with applicable policies, and alignment with approved funding allocations and authorized expenditures.
  • Develop proposed process improvements for review with the CFANS CFO, MAES Director, and other appropriate stakeholders, and coordinate implementation of approved changes.
  • Ensure MAES financial transactions, fund distributions, adjustments, and reconciliations are completed accurately and within established deadlines.
  • Coordinate the financial administration and compliance of MAES-related internal sales and internal service organization activities, where assigned.
  • Work with University accounting, budget, sponsored projects, and financial operations offices to address complex transactions, system issues, and policy questions.
  • Maintain comprehensive documentation of critical financial processes, reporting methodologies, allocation models, and regulatory requirements.
  • Develop financial calendars, standard operating procedures, job aids, and training materials for staff across participating colleges and departments.
  • Identify administrative vulnerabilities, including undocumented processes, inconsistent practices, and insufficient backup coverage, and recommend corrective actions.
  • Support implementation of University financial systems, reporting applications, and approved business process improvements.
  • Communicate financial policies, reporting requirements, and administrative deadlines to affected stakeholders.
  • Support consistent, responsive, and service-oriented financial administration across MAES.

Staff Supervision, Coordination, and Professional Development - 5%

• Provide direct supervision and operational management of assigned MAES finance and accounting personnel, ensuring effective performance, consistent service delivery, and continuity of essential financial functions.
  • Exercise full PELRA supervisory authority for assigned staff, including recruitment, hiring, work assignment, performance management, evaluation, professional development, and appropriate corrective action.
  • Establish clear work responsibilities, performance expectations, operational priorities, and accountability measures consistent with MAES and CFANS requirements.
  • Provide training, coaching, technical guidance, and regular performance feedback to support staff effectiveness and professional development.
  • Coordinate staff assignments and workloads to ensure timely completion of financial reporting, reconciliations, compliance activities, and other assigned responsibilities.
  • Assess staffing capacity, workload distribution, technical competencies, and training needs; communicate recommendations to appropriate leadership.
  • Maintain documented procedures, cross-training plans, and backup assignments to support continuity of critical financial functions.
  • Foster a collaborative, respectful, inclusive, and service-oriented work environment.
  • Facilitate coordination and knowledge sharing among MAES finance personnel, participating collegiate finance teams, and relevant University offices.
  • Participate in collegiate finance leadership meetings, cross-functional workgroups, and University financial management initiatives as appropriate.
  • Communicate financial policies, reporting requirements, deadlines, and approved procedural changes to assigned staff and relevant stakeholders.
  • Support staff through changes in financial systems, regulatory requirements, and administrative processes.

Organizational Relationships and Authority

• The MAES Finance Manager works within a distributed financial environment involving five participating colleges, academic departments, research programs, and central University offices.
• The position provides financial expertise, operational management, and technical guidance in support of MAES leadership. The Finance Manager is responsible for ensuring that financial information is accurate, financial processes are appropriately administered, and approved financial actions are implemented in compliance with applicable requirements.
• The MAES Director retains authority for decisions regarding MAES strategic direction, programmatic priorities, budget approvals, and the allocation or reallocation of MAES resources.
• The Finance Manager develops financial analyses and recommendations for leadership consideration, administers approved budgets and allocations, and communicates financial implications, regulatory requirements, and operational considerations.
• The position exercises independent professional judgment in performing assigned financial management and supervisory responsibilities within established University policies and delegated administrative authority. Matters requiring strategic, programmatic, or budgetary decisions are referred to the MAES Director or other appropriate authorized University officials.

Key Working Relationships

• MAES Director: Primary partner for financial planning, budget preparation, resource analysis, funding administration, and implementation of approved financial decisions.
• CFANS Chief Financial Officer: Financial management oversight, institutional policy interpretation, compliance coordination, supervisory alignment, and guidance on University financial practices.
• Participating College Finance Leadership: Coordination of approved MAES allocations, expenditure monitoring, reporting, reconciliation, and compliance.
• ROC Finance Leadership: Coordination of MAES-funded research activities, shared reporting requirements, and financial processes where MAES and ROC responsibilities intersect.
• Academic Departments and Research Administration: Technical financial guidance, fund administration, project alignment, reporting, and compliance support.
• Central University Offices: Coordination with the University Budget Office, Controller's Office, Sponsored Projects Administration, research compliance offices, and other institutional partners.
• USDA-NIFA: Financial administration, reporting, reconciliation, compliance inquiries, and coordination of federal financial reviews.

Required

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field, with at least six years of progressively responsible professional experience in financial management, accounting, budgeting, or financial administration.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex financial operations, budgets, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Experience interpreting and applying financial policies, regulations, and compliance requirements in a public, nonprofit, research, or similarly regulated environment.
• Demonstrated supervisory or formal staff leadership experience.
• Advanced proficiency with spreadsheet applications, financial reporting tools, and enterprise financial systems.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial information, prepare forecasts, identify risks, and communicate financial implications and recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex financial information to stakeholders with varying levels of financial expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate financial activities and establish effective working relationships across multiple organizational units.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, professional judgment, and ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

Preferred

• Advanced degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a related field
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or comparable professional credential.
• Experience in financial administration within a research-intensive university, agricultural experiment station, or public research institution.
• Direct experience administering USDA-NIFA federal capacity funds or other federal research funding programs.
• Knowledge of applicable federal financial requirements, including 2 CFR Part 200, USDA regulations, and institutional research funding policies.
• Experience with University of Minnesota financial systems, enterprise reporting applications, and institutional budget processes.
• Experience preparing multiyear financial forecasts, allocation models, dashboards, and executive-level financial reports.
• Experience with business intelligence tools, database reporting, data visualization, or financial process automation.
• Demonstrated experience improving financial processes, strengthening internal controls, or modernizing reporting systems.
• Experience coordinating financial activities across multiple colleges, departments, or organizational units.
• Experience developing financial procedures, documentation, and training materials.
• Demonstrated ability to support organizational change, develop staff capacity, and maintain effective relationships across diverse professional and academic environments.

Performance Expectations

Successful performance in this position will be demonstrated through:

1. Financial accuracy and accountability: Reliable financial records, timely reconciliations, effective internal controls, and accurate administration of approved MAES funding.
2. Federal compliance: Timely and complete federal financial reporting, appropriate fund administration, and identification and resolution of compliance concerns.
3. Budget and financial planning support: Accurate budgets, forecasts, financial analyses, and resource information that enable the MAES Director to evaluate options and make informed decisions.
4. Effective implementation: Timely and accurate execution of approved budgets, resource allocations, financial adjustments, and related administrative actions.
5. Financial transparency: Clear, consistent, and accessible reporting of MAES financial activity, fund balances, commitments, and available resources.
6. Operational effectiveness: Documented and efficient financial processes, appropriate internal controls, and reduced administrative risk.
7. Reporting and data continuity: Reliable financial reporting systems, documented methodologies, and appropriate cross-training to maintain essential financial operations.
8. Staff and stakeholder support: Effective supervision, professional financial guidance, responsive service, and productive collaboration across participating colleges and University offices.

Pay Range: $100,000 - $107,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Please include a resume and a cover letter for a complete application.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

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