Associate Director of Finance - CMU Africa
- Employer
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Location
- Kigali, RWANDA
- Salary
- Competitive Salary
- Date posted
- Dec 17, 2024
View more categoriesView less categories
- Position Type
- Faculty Positions, Business & Management, Accounting & Finance, Business Administration, Administrative, Business & Administrative Affairs, Financial Affairs
- Employment Type
- Full Time
Job Details
Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that stands among the world’s most renowned education institutions. With ground-breaking brain science, path-breaking performances, creative start-ups, big data, big ambitions, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn’t imagine the future, we invent it. If you’re passionate about joining a community that challenges the curious to deliver work that matters, your journey starts here!
About the Role:
CMU is seeking a senior finance professional to serve as Associate Director of Finance for its location in Rwanda, Carnegie Mellon University Africa (CMU-Africa). This position will partner with the Chief Operations Officer (COO) in the financial functions at CMU-Africa, and be responsible for accounting functions, business intelligence and analytics, developing dashboards, reports, and other analyses for robust business operations. Additionally, they will partner with the College of Engineering and international finance office in Pittsburgh, lead the charge to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of financial and sponsored program practices and processes, under the guidance of the COO. This position reports to the COO of CMU-Africa.
Inclusion, collaboration, and cultural sensitivity are valued proficiencies at CMU. Therefore, we are in search of a team member who can optimally collaborate with a diverse population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values, thrives in an exciting and complex environment, and who will support the mission of the university through their work.
About Carnegie Mellon University:
Since its founding in 1900, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has been a birthplace of innovation. CMU has globally top-ranked programs in engineering, computer science, and information and communication technology, as well as a rich history of entrepreneurship. CMU is dedicated to producing creative and technically strong engineers who have a meaningful impact in their communities and accelerate positive technological change in the world. In 2011, CMU extended its global footprint into Africa with Carnegie Mellon University Africa (CMU-Africa), based in Rwanda’s Kigali Innovation City.
In a region booming with opportunities, CMU is the only U.S.-based research university offering its master’s degrees with a full-time faculty, staff, and operations in Africa. The Africa location is fast-growing, with over 300 enrolled students from more than 20 African countries. You can read more about CMU-Africa's vision and mission on our website. CMU’s presence in Rwanda provides a platform to engage in Africa’s most significant opportunities and challenges across the continent through world-class education and contextually relevant research and innovation. CMU-Africa enjoys strong collaboration and exchange with the main campus in Pittsburgh, USA.
Core Responsibilities:
Manage business and financial analyses:
- Lead the development and maintenance of regular and robust financial and business analytics, developing dashboards, reports, and other trend analyses for CMU-Africa leadership.
- Oversee the monthly and quarterly processes of CMU-Africa’s financial close, ensuring the accurate and timely completion of invoice processing, accruals, accounts payable redistributions, and payroll distribution adjustments.
- Collaborate with the College of Engineering’s Research Accelerator to review and reconcile sponsored research and project expenditures for compliance with sponsor and CMU reporting cycles. Review Oracle Grants Management accounts for sufficient funding, correct charge string coding, and expenditure compliance, and make budget recommendations and offer solutions to program leads.
- Continually monitor budgets and expenditures to identify potential funding shortfalls and overspending, with timely communication of findings with the COO, Principal Investigators, and Program leads, and make recommendations on corrective courses of action.
- Partner with the International Finance team on fiscal year-end close and responding to audit inquiries, compliance oversight, and record retention.
- Lead the continuous improvement and documentation of CMU-Africa’ financial and operational processes and implement an internal quarterly review process with program leads.
- Provide guidance, administrative management, and operational coordination to various technical, professional, and/or administrative personnel engaged in specified project activities, as appropriate to the position.
- Provide guidance to all CMU-Africa staff and faculty in the procurement of goods and services in line with the CMU Procurement Manual.
- Lead strategic sourcing and negotiations with vendors for goods and services, including outreach to local business vendors able to meet the purchasing needs of CMU-Africa.
- Collaborate with technical staff and faculty to build a pool of preferred vendors.
- Partner with the International Finance team to implement a process for preparing and executing Request for Proposals where appropriate, reviewing proposals, and selecting vendors.
- Guide finance officers to ensure that business travel expenditures remain within approved trip costs to support budgeting and financial reporting and administer procedures for ensuring accurate and compliant application of authorized funds.
- Review purchase order, expenditure reimbursement, and purchasing card expenditures for compliance with CMU policy and correct charge string coding and prepare Accounts Payable Redistributions for reallocations where appropriate.
- Design, coordinate, and implement training programs for CMU-Africa personnel on the nature and application of operating policies and procedure.
- Manage direct reports in Finance and Research administrative support functions. Monitor and manage team workflow. Manage and assess employee performance, provide coaching and mentoring for growth and improved performance.
- Delegate tasks and assign projects and resources as appropriate.
Education and Experience:
- A bachelor’s degree in accounting, financial management, or business administration
- Qualified professional accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ICPAR, CPA), with a minimum of five years post-qualification experience preferred.
- At least 5 years of experience within higher education, public or privately funded grant administration, or project accounting a plus.
- Global exposure and / or experience of working with international organization(s) essential.
- Fluency in both spoken and written English and French a plus.
- Strong accounting skills; knowledge of higher education, public accounting, and grant administration a plus.
- Demonstrable experience and ability to lead teams effectively, coaching and mentoring for high performance.
- Excellent analytical skills, with meticulous attention to detail; keep and maintain accurate and detailed reports and records.
- Highly developed critical thinking skills, with ability to solve complex problems in innovative ways.
- Demonstrable ability to handle multiple concurrent projects in a deadline-driven environment, work under pressure and with frequent interruptions.
- Demonstrable proficiency with accounting software and MS Office (intermediate Excel and Word skills). Experience with Oracle E-Business Suite a plus.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills (English).
- Demonstrable ability to communicate financial information to non-finance audience, with excellent presentation skills.
- Demonstrable ability to compose and appropriately format correspondence and reports.
- Agile learner with the ability to adapt and thrive in an evolving, diverse environment.
- Proven ability to exercise sound judgment, excellent discretion and maintain confidentiality.
- Demonstrable ability to maintain composure when dealing with difficult situations and/or individuals.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to work with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
We are accepting applications for this position through January 16, 2025. Early applications are encouraged, as reviews may begin before the deadline.
Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits available to eligible employees.
Those employees who are benefits eligible have the opportunity to experience the full spectrum of advantages from comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance to an enticing retirement savings program offering a generous employer contribution. You can also unlock your potential with tuition benefits and take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays . Finally, rest easy knowing you are covered by life and accidental death and disability insurance.
Other perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access , and so much more!
For a comprehensive overview of the benefits that may be awaiting you, explore our Benefits page .
At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond just credentials, we consider the role and responsibilities, your invaluable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We acknowledge and appreciate your unique skills and the diverse perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.
Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!
Location
Kigali, Rwanda
Job Function
Business Administration and Services
Position Type
Staff – Regular
Full Time/Part time
Full time
Pay Basis
More Information:
- Please visit “ Why Carnegie
Mellon ” to learn more about becoming part of an
institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
- Click here to view
a listing of employee benefits
- Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity
Employer/Disability/Veteran .
-
Statement of Assurance
Company
Carnegie Mellon University challenges the curious and passionate to imagine and deliver work that matters.
A private, global research university, Carnegie Mellon stands among the world's most renowned educational institutions, and sets its own course.
Carnegie Mellon was founded in 1900 by Andrew Carnegie under the premise that a school established to foster and develop the technical skills of its students would soon produce students and graduates whose work would astound Pittsburgh and the world. Over 120 years later, our institution continues to produce talented alumni and draws faculty and staff eager to be a part of the university's creative, passionate and close-knit community. We place emphasis on practical problem solving, interdisciplinary learning, an entrepreneurial spirit, and collaboration.
Over the past 10 years, more than 400 startups linked to CMU have raised more than $7 billion in follow-on funding. Those investment numbers are especially high because of the sheer size of Pittsburgh’s growing autonomous vehicles cluster – including Uber, Aurora, Waymo and Motional – all of which are here because of their strong ties to CMU.
With cutting-edge brain science, path-breaking performances, innovative startups, driverless cars, big data, big ambitions, Nobel and Turing prizes, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn't imagine the future, we create it.
Pittsburgh is home to over 86,000 students from 10 colleges and universities. Pittsburgh was ranked as one of the top U.S. cities for millennials.
Some 177,000 people work in Pittsburgh's tech-related industries, and their ranks continue to grow as the city tops lists for jobs. Networking opportunities, small business accelerators, and an innovative community make the city appealing to entrepreneurs, especially recent graduates.
Pittsburgh is emerging as a tech and culture hub that The Washington Post praises for its "world-class art museums and colorful neighborhoods."
Robotics and software engineering lead the way. The city is home to Google, Uber and Apple offices and a budding ecosystem of tech startups including Duolingo, Modcloth and 4Moms, all of which have CMU roots.
Many seek Pittsburgh for being a hot spot for entrepreneurship and a model for future cities. Others come for the city's burgeoning food scene.
You’ll find CMU locations nationwide — and worldwide. Silicon Valley. Qatar. Africa. Washington, D.C. To name a few.
If your heart is in your work, come work with us.
Carnegie Mellon University isn't just one of the world’s most renowned educational institutions — it’s also a hotspot for some of the most talented doers, dreamers and difference-makers on the planet. When you join our staff, you’ll become an important part of our mission to create a healthier, safer and more just life for all. No matter what your role or location, you’ll connect and collaborate with dedicated, passionate colleagues — and you’ll have the satisfaction of delivering work that truly matters.
Carnegie Mellon University offers a wide range of competitive employee benefits to help you live well. Benefit eligibility varies based on the hours per week employees are scheduled to work and the employee's geographic location
We seek to cultivate diverse populations and perspectives and promote equity and inclusion. Our devotion to these ideals springs from a core belief in the power of education to be a transformative and enriching force for every person, irrespective of their background, identity or life circumstances.
Inclusion and belonging are intricately interwoven into the very essence of our university, helping to shape our values, policies and practices. Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are not only central to our ethos but also indispensable to our pursuit of academic excellence and innovation.
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