Finance and Operations Manager (Temporary)

Application Deadline: 31 October, 2024
Location: Columbia University, New York

Position Summary

The Atlantic Fellows for Racial Equity (AFRE) is a Fellowship programme for racial justice leaders from across the world. With offices based at Columbia University in New York City, United States and the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) in Johannesburg, South Africa, AFRE brings together accomplished individuals from diverse backgrounds to incubate new strategies to challenge anti-Black racism and build the policies, institutions and narratives needed for a more equitable future. The programme aspires to build a dynamic and enduring network of transnational, cross-sectoral leaders dedicated to improving the quality of Black life throughout the world.

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Operations and assisting with AFRE’s finance and operational deliverables, the Finance and Operations Manager is responsible for financial accounting and reconciliation, budget management, administration, operations, and financial reporting. This is a temporary, one-year assignment with an option to be long-term.

Responsibilities

Vendor and Financial Management

  • Create, update, and maintain vendor records within Columbia University’s PaymentWorks and ARC systems.

  • Initiate, process, and manage various financial transactions, including program-related invoices, check requests, reimbursements, contracts, and payments (e.g., Fellow payments, consultancies, and partner sub-awards) using ARC and Concur.

  • Handle travel and business expense reports and honoraria.

  • Serve as a liaison for financial communications with fellows, NMF, U.S. partners, and Columbia’s financial staff.

  • Monitor accounts payable transactions, performing accounting transfers, journal entries, and expenditure corrections as needed.

  • Reconcile overdrafts on unrestricted project codes and facilitate payments to international service providers.

  • Track and reconcile P-card, C-card, and Columbia Air & Rail transactions for approval.

Financial Reporting and Budget Oversight

  • Prepare and maintain monthly status reports, contract balances, and financial tracking reports (annual, quarterly, and monthly).

  • Assist with fiscal year-end closing deliverables and variance analysis.

  • Oversee AFRE’s budget, resolve financial issues, prevent overdrafts, and participate in budget planning meetings.

  • Support fiscal year budget preparation, inputting data into the CU Budget Tool.

  • Provide financial reporting for events and projects, ensuring actual spending aligns with the budget.

  • Support strategic and tactical budget management, cost-benefit analysis, managerial accounting, and forecasting in coordination with the Executive Director.

  • Perform year-end closing tasks with the Director of Finance and Operations.

 Operational Coordination

  • Manage purchasing, maintenance, and contracts for equipment and technology, including software subscriptions and renewals (Salesforce, Office 365, Adobe, Form Assembly).

  • Coordinate departmental facilities, space utilization, and capital improvements.

  • Maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders (Interchurch, Columbia, IT consultants) to troubleshoot and resolve issues.

  • Arrange travel through Concur for fellows, staff, and board members.

 Staff and Administrative Support

  • Participate in staff recruitment, onboarding, and support personnel needs (e.g., processing vacation accruals, managing absence and paid time off).

  • Prepare, submit, and track contracts and renewals for service providers.

  • Assist in developing organizational documents and participate in various administrative tasks to ensure smooth operations.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree and a minimum of three (3) years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Five (5) years of related work experience.

  • Knowledgeable on applicable human resource management principles, practices, methods, and procedures required.

  • Demonstrated financial administration experience is required.

  • Familiar with relevant Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, codes, and/or statutes.

  • Experience in employee relations principles and practices, including conflict resolution techniques.

  • Demonstrated ability to set priorities, handle multiple assignments, and work with resourcefulness and efficiency in a fast-paced and changing environment with multiple constituencies required.

  • Demonstrated comprehensive financial reporting responsibility in a complex organization required.

  • Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

  • Confidentiality and discretion are required, as is a demonstrated ability to forge partnerships.

  • Must be able to function independently and exercise discretion and sound judgment.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are invited to submit your resume and cover letter here. Please submit the following by 31 October 2024:  

  • Cover letter

  • Your CV/resume

  • Three contactable references

 

The Atlantic Fellows for Racial Equity (AFRE) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Interested in joining our team, but don’t see a role for you? Contact us at AFREinfo@atlanticfellows.org