Finance Technology Specialist

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Controller's OfficeJob Description

Job Summary

Serve as a bridge between the finance functional areas (i.e., Controller’s Office and Budget Office) and the central Information Technology Services (ITS) group. Working closely with Finance and ITS, assist in the assessment of technology solutions, monitor existing system data/process architecture, and support new system implementations and updates. Collaborate with similar roles in serving other areas such as Human Resources and Student Services. Develop meaningful reporting tools and support training, resources, and departmental websites for Finance. Identify opportunities for continuous improvement efforts and alignment of people, process and technology to improve user experience, operational efficiency, data stewardship, etc. Representing Finance, responsible for building and maintaining positive working relationships with team members, ITS, internal customers and external vendors. As an operations partner in the distributed IT community coordinated by ITS, represent Finance needs in all aspects of IT service management, including but not limited to planning for relevant user training, effective functional implementation of IT projects, and performing work consistent with established IT principles and practices.

Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participates in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions

Systems Support & Reporting (85%)

Develop an understanding of business use cases for the Finance functional areas, including budget, payroll, purchasing, investments, general accounting, among others. Develop knowledge of touchpoints between the Finance Functional areas and other areas across the college (including Human Resources, Student Financial Services, Facilities). Manage business processes in ERP (Workday) and make updates as needed in coordination with Finance and ITS. Monitor help tickets from both internal and external users that are assigned to Finance and facilitate resolution. Support functional leads and users with questions on processes and issues identified due to configuration, security and routing and resolve issues. Provide guidance for solutions in coordination with ITS. Monitor tasks moving through the ERP to identify errors, delays and opportunities for improvement. Proactively identify opportunities to streamline processes across Finance functions and connected business areas in coordination Workday Operations Team. Lead technical trainings for campus community on Finance processes. Support the creation of and updates to financial, budget, payroll audit and other reports as needed. Partner with ITS security lead and functional partners to ensure that security structures align with operational goals. Assign security roles in coordination with the Finance office and ensure roles are updated or delegated as needed. Develop understanding of Finance integrations to help support troubleshooting in partnership with ITS. Maintain proactive relationships with upstream functional areas that intersect with Finance. Support fiscal close including fiscal roll actives and reporting across Finance office. Provide guidance and support in system implementations (Adaptive, Space Management, etc.).

General & Website Administration (15%)

Facilitate content updates to the finance, budget, controller’s office, and grants office web pages. Keep current with technology, finance, and compliance trends/legislation through attending seminars and through both published and on-line government, regulatory and trade documents. Provide training and technical support to the finance and other staff as necessary.

Other Functions

Provide back up for other staff as necessary. Perform related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)

Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of 2-4 relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience communicating system changes and improvements across constituents of varied ability, creating and delivering effective training programs for end-users. Advanced report writing experience in relational databases. Proficiency in creating reports and processes to interface supporting systems to a general ledger system. Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of Workday preferred. Coursework or functional knowledge of accounting and business processes preferred.

Skills

This role requires a combination of strong technical proficiency, project management experience, customer service and excellent written and verbal communication skill. Demonstrated ability to lead a project effectively from defining requirements though deployment. This includes facilitating group meetings during design, ensuring interim deliverable deadlines are maintained, and designing and administrating test criteria. Experience developing training plans for varied constituents, including leading group trainings and creating reference materials utilizing multiple technologies.

MS Office Suite; advanced experience with report writing tools for integrated database technology, Excel, Access and project management tools. Website CMS experience. Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills; strong attention to detail and accuracy; strong quantitative and problem-solving skills; good judgment, discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality; ability to interact with diverse constituencies; ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously; ability to work on a team and independently; and a comfort with continuous improvement. They are able to calibrate short-term and long-term needs effectively and translate those needs into plans and recommendations that can be explored and coordinated with colleagues, resulting in improved IT projects and services.

Additional Information

For the care and safety of our community, Smith College requires that all employees be vaccinated as a condition of employment and as such, the incumbent will be required to be immunized against COVID-19 on or before their first day of employment. Proof of vaccination status will be required. Individuals may seek medical or religious exemption with HR, but must do so prior to their arrival.

Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position . Be sure you have provided all attachments before submitting your application. You will NOT be able to attach additional files after you have hit the Submit button.

Review of applications will begin

January 30, 2023

Compensation Grade:

Grade I

Position Type:

Regular

About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Diversity and a culture of inclusion among students, staff, faculty, and administration are crucial to the mission and values of Smith College. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, color, religions, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or veteran status in the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, and the operation of any of its programs and activities, as specified by all applicable laws and regulations. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.