Department: Medill - Administration
Salary/Grade: EXS/5

Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications is a leader in education and research. As the media industry experiences unprecedented change, Medill is at the forefront of innovation. Our expert teaching and thought leadership focus on enduring skills and values as well as new techniques and technologies that are changing the way stories are told and consumed in today's digital world. In recently celebrating our 100th year in 2021, our experience in leading the fields of journalism and IMC is unparalleled. Medill offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in journalism, and an undergraduate certificate and graduate degree in integrated marketing communications.

The Medill community is tight-knit and supportive. It consists of 100 faculty, 60 staff, 1,200 students and 18,000 alumni. The diversity of the Medill community has been a source of innovation, excellence and leadership throughout our history. Today Medill continues its commitment to creating an inclusive environment and to providing equity in opportunities regarding research, teaching, administration and student services. We aim to welcome students, staff and faculty from diverse backgrounds and support them so they may thrive at Medill.

Job Summary:

The Financial Coordinator is a part of the Medill Business & Finance Office. This role supports Medill's financial operations by providing transactional management and approvals. This position ensures compliance with industry and professional standards, university policy and procedure, federal and state laws and other regulations (as applicable).

This position will be on-site on the Evanston campus for a minimum of 2-3 days per week, while the remaining time is allowed to be worked remotely. This remote working arrangement will be evaluated on a regular basis and may be changed based on business and operational needs.

Please note: The target budgeted salary for this position is $52,000 - $58,000 annually. Offers will be based on candidate experience and education, as well as equity within Northwestern University.

Specific Responsibilities:

Analysis, Statements & Reporting:

• Creates daily, monthly &/or annual ad hoc analyses & reports regarding area/unit, grants &/or awards, accounts, funds, payroll, expense &/or revenue allocation, etc.
• Assists with monthly/quarterly/annual journal entries, reports and statements
• Provides support for annual audit work papers

Transactions:

• Responsible for reviewing all expense reports, payment requests, and requisitions for Medill.
• Enters individual &/or summary of transactions into journals &/or general ledger or other NU enterprise system.
• Reviews; ensures approval based on alternatives regarding practice & policy; analyzes and classifies transactions in accordance with established chart or coding of accounts; creates new accounts; prepares, processes, reconciles & provides receipts (as appropriate) for transactions.
• Processes transfer &/or appropriation charges & may balance &/or close accounts.
• Troubleshoots problems; performs vendor/account research as needed; obtains additional information from or provides instruction & guidance for customers/vendors; corrects or escalates.
• Assist with data entry of annual budget into NUPlans Contributor budget system.
• Review exceptions forms and reimbursements that require special attention.
• Provides financial policy interpretation to determine the validity of customer requests & ensure compliance.
• Contacts outside agencies, banks &/or banking systems to obtain clarification of rules &/or regulations.
• Controls account availability for all chart strings.
• Provides support for internal audit requests.
• Level I and II Transaction approver for all transactions less than $5K.
• Serves as a backup transactional data entry when needed.

Grants &/or Awards:

• Provides assistance regarding grant financial administration such as preparing financial information for grant submission.
• Approves expenditures on travel, consulting &/or equipment, along with various forms, such as Intra Institutional Vouchers, Requests for Accounting Corrections, the Research Assistant and Scholarship Appointments, &/or payroll adjustments, in accordance with granting agency guidelines & University policies & procedures.
• Corrects charges to various accounts.

Administration:

• Processes & presents data & information through the application of database, graphic & spreadsheet software.
• Obtains data by downloading from enterprise system; develops and runs queries.
• Completes special financial projects such as: updating budget owner chart string list and tracking of certain approved personnel spending, such as hiring commitments and staff conferences.
• Performs general office support activities.
• Oversees Medill Business Office email correspondence/inbox and delegates transaction support to other team members as needed.
• Manages Capital Inventory process, collaborating with staff in Financial Operations and within School.

Training:

• Assists with training of new staff members.
• Creates & provides financial training on practice, procedure, policy &/or laws & regulations to customers.
• Develop and maintain website content and training materials to be made available to faculty and staff.
• Provides coaching to junior members of the Medill Business Office.

Supervision:

• Provides work direction to others
• Collaborates with colleagues across the school to help advance Medill's strategic goals and improve the educational experience of our students.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as accounting, business administration, finance, or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 1 year financial, budgeting &/or preparing account reconciliations or financial statements along with financial analysis or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Excellent computer skills including proficiency in the use of spreadsheet, database and word processing software.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, high flexibility, and ability to work effectively with internal and external constituents, including students, faculty, administrators, and representatives of outside organizations.
• Ability to prioritize among multiple deadlines and projects simultaneously.
• High level of service orientation in assisting students, faculty and staff, including proactively generating multiple, creative solutions to resolve problems.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.