Finance Manager (Job ID: 2023-3352)

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy.

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.

The Brookings Metro program delivers research and solutions to help metropolitan leaders build an advanced economy that works for all. To learn more, please visit brookings.edu/metro. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/brookingsmetro.

Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week.

The Finance Manager is responsible for the preparation, management, implementation, and reconciliation of budgets, financial transactions, and grants within Brookings Metro (Metro) with minimal supervision. This includes project-budget formulation, revenue forecasting, drafting grant proposal budgets, grant monitoring, expense tracking, financial reporting to donors, and other administrative tasks as requested. This is a great opportunity for a finance professional with the drive to join a team that supports key projects for a top-rated think tank.

Budget Formulation and Grant Monitoring (70%)

• Responsible for the overall financial management of a sub-set of Metro’s research portfolios assigned to the FM, in consultation and coordination with the project leads and supervisor; keeps parties aware of potential opportunities and risks. The research portfolios to be managed are roughly equivalent to $5M in revenue and expenses with the intention for future growth;
• Forecasts obligations, expenditures, and revenue for projects, scholars, and departments in the research portfolios in coordination with project leads and supervisor.
• Monitors grants, pledges, and cash flow to allocate revenue accordingly and ensures sound fiscal stewardship of grant and gift funds.
• Develops proposal budgets and reviews funder financial reports. In collaboration with Metro Development team and supervisor, coordinate the review and approval of funder budgets and financial reports.
• Implements grant setup and terms, which includes review of award documents for signature, entering grant details into NGAR, monitoring project expenditures against each grant, and ensuring proper documentation and financial reporting to maintain compliance with funding conditions, contractual obligations, and auditing criteria.
• Prepares monthly budget to actual reports including variance analysis and leads meetings for presentation of financial data to the supervisor and relevant project lead(s) as well as incorporation into dashboard reports and other trackers. Provides strategic guidance to project leads on financial allocations and efficiencies to maximize resources on their projects.
• Drafts annual budgets and forecasts for a portfolio of projects in close consultation with supervisor using Workday and Adaptive.
• Monitors all monthly financial costs associated with projects within portfolio and submits journal entries as necessary for corrections. Allocates labor across portfolio in collaboration with project leads and adhering to guidelines from the grant agreement.
• Works on ad hoc financial assignments as requested by the supervisor.

Financial Administration and Procurement Management (20%)

• Processes and/or approves credit card transactions, requisitions, invoices, travel expense claims and other financial transactions related to their research portfolio.
• Responsible for the timeliness of transactions, invoice payments, paperwork submission, and the accuracy of posted charges related to their research portfolio.
• Assists and advises staff members on all of the Institution’s financial policies and processes including conference planning, research contracts, external billing, memorandums of understanding, reimbursements, etc. related to their research portfolio.
• Serves as a liaison with other finance staff, other research programs, and departments including: Central Development, Financial Management, Accounting, Grants Administration departments, as well as the Office of the General Counsel (OGC).
• Maintains labor-hour tracker spreadsheet, as well as electronic folders of financial records related to their research portfolio.
• Assumes additional duties as requested by the supervisor.

Contracts (10%)

• Provides budgetary approval for contracts and associated payments; provides guidance to Finance Coordinator as needed.
• Ensures that all details relevant to contracts, memorandums of understanding, funder contracts, and all other contractual agreements in research portfolio are accurately translated into Brookings systems and processes. This requires close coordination with the Finance Coordinator.
• Tracks and monitors contractual obligations and ensures compliance and timely payments related to their research portfolio.

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications:

Education/Experience Requirments

Bachelor’s degree required; some business and accounting courses strongly preferred. Minimum of three years of combined administrative and financial coordination experience required. Background in a research, academic, financial or non-profit setting is preferred. Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements

Strong problem-solving skills and customer-focused attitude required. In depth knowledge of financial software applications, databases, spreadsheets, and financial modeling required. Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word and experience working with CRM systems required. Budgeting experience required; must have excellent organizational skills and initiative to manage logistics of many different projects independently and simultaneously. The ideal candidate will exhibit excellent writing skills, discretion, mature judgment, flexibility, and will be a team player. Adherence to deadlines and attention to detail is essential.

Additional Information

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous time off, and workplace flexibility. For more information, please visit Brookings Benefits.

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply. Please note: if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings.

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms. We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.

PI261047090