Manager of Finance and Contracts - Lab of Ornithology

About the Lab of Ornithology

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University's second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world's complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is the world's leading resource for conservation, research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. The Lab is a vibrant unit within Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), where full-time faculty and many other renowned professionals direct world-class, mission-driven programs. Staff at the Lab teach undergraduate courses, advise graduate students, collect and disseminate world-famous digital resources on biodiversity, and engage with partner organizations and citizens around the world to conduct scientific research and conservation actions. Our management and staff are committed to the highest standards of ethics and excellence in all areas of our work, and our Board leadership includes faculty from Cornell and other universities, successful entrepreneurs and managers from the business and non-profit sectors, and conservation-minded citizens from the United States and beyond.

About the Position

While position responsibilities vary, all people leaders are expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by being trustworthy; respecting all individuals; being flexible; supporting work/life integration as well as healthy boundaries; inviting new ideas, alternatives, and perspectives; speaking up and taking action if others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and recognizing the contributions of others.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology completed an ambitious strategic planning process in 2024-2025, and together with the university is moving into the final year of a campaign with ambitious fundraising goals. In the coming years the organization will grow rapidly and restructure its programs to improve its capacity for achieving global impact. To help lead these efforts we seek an experienced financial leader who will: 1) spearhead the Lab's transition to a significantly larger and more complex budget; 2) guide restructuring of the Lab's internal financial framework; 3) oversee and manage all Lab financial operations, contract negotiations, and budget management; and 4) provide high-level counsel to the Lab, University, and Administrative Board leadership.

The Lab thrives on diverse revenue streams that include private donations from more than 200,000 supporters, endowment income, annual disbursement from a 509(a)(3) supporting organization, grants and contracts, and programmatic entrepreneurship. Within this multifaceted context, the Director of Finance and Contracts holds a high-visibility position with extremely high levels of oversight responsibility, fiscal management, confidentiality, internal interactivity, and external reporting. Reporting to the Director of Administration of the Lab, the key duties are:

• Serve as the overall financial leader, advisor, and forecaster at the Lab, providing advice and counsel to the Executive Director and Director of Administration, senior leaders, and the Administrative Board, to ensure the financial health of a complex, internationally engaged $49 million a year (and growing) organization.
• Establish and monitor annual budgets, develop financial projections, strategies, and long-term models; track resources from all sources; implement best practices for day-to-day financial operations; consult with development and other Lab staff on donor proposals; provide financial oversight of grant and contract proposals.
• Work closely with members of the Administrative Board preparing detailed financial reports for, and manage meetings of, the Board's finance committee and semiannually presenting consolidated financial reports to the full Administrative Board.
• Prepare, negotiate, review, and manage a wide variety of service contracts and other external agreements - including complex technology licensing agreements and MOUs with international organizations - working closely with Cornell's legal counsel, risk management, technology licensing, and procurement services.
• Oversee all aspects of the Lab's financial procedures and infrastructure, maintaining close working relationships with all levels of management and staff, fostering partnerships with program directors and serving as a critical link between the Lab, CALS', and Cornell's central administrations. Work in partnership with University Shared Services Center to ensure that all financial operations meet programmatic needs while complying with university and college policies.
• Provide direct supervision, direction, and mentorship to staff within the Lab's finance team.
• Facilitate the consistent application of new and existing university and college financial systems, policies, and procedures to advance the Lab's unique and non-traditional academic programs.

This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Contract College position that is based in Ithaca, NY at the Lab of Ornithology approximately 3 miles from Cornell's main Ithaca campus. This position follows a 3:2 in-person-to-home hybrid work arrangement after a period of orientation and training. This hybrid work arrangement is subject to change at any time. Typical work hours are between 9am-5pm.

What You Need

We are seeking a team member who is organized, good at relationship building, and good at communicating. Additionally, you will:

• AICPA Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential or IMA Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or be able to earn the credential(s) within 3 years. Credential must be maintained as a condition of employment; professional fees will be reimbursed to maintain credentials.
• Bachelor's degree and at least 5-7 years of experience with accounting, financial management, budgeting, and managerial positions in higher education or similarly complex settings, with progressive scope and responsibility or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong working knowledge of budgeting and accounting policies and practices; grant and contract management; finance investments, policies, laws and procedures; risk management; financial analysis, reporting and external contract negotiation required.
• Ability to analyze large amounts of data, deliver succinct reports, and consult with leadership to guide decision-making and problem solving.
• Ability to oversee finances in a complex institution, including ability to develop/mentor team members and establish credibility as an effective developer of budgets and strategic financial solutions.
• Must have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. Attention to detail and organizational skills are critical.
• A proven ability to manage multiple areas, events, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Must be naturally curious and responsive to ever-changing needs, with evidence of strong customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Must have proven leadership ability including effectiveness in working with creative individuals and a large scope of responsibilities.
• Ability to use judgment in accomplishing tasks that are urgent or of a sensitive or confidential nature, balance conflicting priorities, and make decisions from a range of choices.
• Must have demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information, regularly prepare and deliver cogent presentations suitable for the Administrative Board, Lab leadership, and staff of all levels.
• Proven ability to prepare and review a wide variety of service contracts, seeking guidance from legal counsel, risk management, technology licensing (CTL) and procurement services.
• Must complete Cornell University Supervisory Development Training within one year of hire into the position.
• Compliant with all Cornell University and job-related training requirements.

If you possess these experiences and skills this may be the role for you! There are a few other qualifications we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, to include:

• Upper-level management experience within not-for-profit and/or academic institutions, including working with and communicating to supervisory Boards.
• Experience with financial investment management and tracking; experience and familiarity with biodiversity sciences, educational outreach, and/or information technology strategies; experience working with partner institutions and organizations. Interest in the mission and vision of the Cornell Lab or conservation.

Rewards and Benefits

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

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• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

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