Rice University’s OpenStax department is seeking well-qualified candidates for the position of Finance and Operations Specialist. Reporting to the Director of Finance and Operations, the position is responsible for processing all financial transactions in Rice’s and OpenStax’s ERP systems.
The Finance and Operations Specialist will also be responsible for creating and managing accurate budget and financial records for the department’s divisions and working with the finance and division teams to correct discrepancies and investigate issues. Responsibilities will include both accounts payable and accounts receivable tracking and reconciliation, and all related data entry as needed to provide additional information and records for the department.
Ideal candidates will have prior experience with student hiring processes, monthly budget reconciliation and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
Rice University's OpenStax department is a non-profit textbook publisher, learning software producer, and platform for learning research. Our mission is to provide every student and instructor with free access to high-quality teaching and learning resources that help them succeed. We have created a library of more than 50 free and openly licensed college textbooks that have served millions of students across the globe, resulting in over one billion dollars in savings. We have created additional software and course materials to help college students read with more engagement and practice more effectively, incorporating our research team’s expertise in cognitive science and machine learning.
This position offers a flexible work environment with the majority of time being remote. Reporting to the office is required as needed based on activity in the department. Most weeks require no days in the office, but some time reporting to the office will be required to assist with meetings and/or events.
This position is term limited with an initial term of 12 months. Continued employment beyond 12 months is contingent on funding.
Workplace Requirements
The hiring department is entirely remote with a small office centrally located in Houston, TX, which is used for group meetings and events. Position will be required to attend meetings and manage office related work as needed. There is no set minimum number of days in the office and most weeks will probably require zero days in the office, but large events may require additional time in the office to manage vendors and assist with department activities. P er Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.
Hiring Salary: $56,000+ contingent upon qualifications and experience
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- Two years of professional work experience providing administrative support
- May substitute additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis in lieu of the experience requirement
- Skills
- Ability to establish and manage priorities and handle numerous time-sensitive projects with conflicting and varied deadlines
- Ability to accomplish goals working through formal and informal channels, with diplomacy and tact
- Demonstrated creativity, problem solving, critical analysis, initiative, judgment and decision-making skills
- Demonstrated ability to develop and meet budget goals
- Excellent planning and organizational skills
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
- Strong knowledge of relevant subject matter
Preferences
- Experience providing administrative support related to budgeting and financial transactions
- Previous experience with Oracle or similar ERP systems
- Willingness to tackle projects and work with minimal supervision
- Ability to prioritize and manage a diverse group of activities on a daily basis
Essential Functions
- Leads the planning and operations for a department, function or program that may have significant business, regulatory and technical challenges requiring subject matter expertise
- Manages unit budgets, human resources and facilities functions
- Organizes, manages, and completes special projects
- Evaluates programs, policies and procedures
- Identifies issues, and develops alternative solutions which may include changes to programs, policies and procedures
- Reviews and analyzes trends to advise and develop recommendations to achieve or modify the goals of the department, program or function
- Develops and implements outreach strategies that may include relationship development, communications and compliance
- Assesses training needs and may develop associated training
- Performs all other duties as assigned
Additional Functions
- Provide additional general administrative support to the finance team to complete routine monthly expenses via procurement and purchasing cards
- Support leads within the department with financial reconciliations as needed
- Serve as ad hoc support for the finance and operations office as assigned
- Support business development functions within the department by updating CRM data and tracking customer invoices and AR aging
- Support accounts payable function in all areas and liaise with central administration to resolve payment issues as they arise
- Provide departmental support for credit cards and reimbursements
Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
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