Program Financial Analyst
Share
Job Location:
Tucson, AZ - USA
Yearly Salary:
$ 85000 - 93000
Posted on:
4 hours ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
The Program Financial Analyst (PFA) reports to the Associate Director of Administration and is a key member of NOIRLabs Management Support Services (MSS) organization. MSS includes the Portfolio Management Office (PMO) Finance Document Management and other shared business services.
NOIRLab is a complex matrixed organization with an annual budget of approximately $116M executed across five Programs and four Service areas. The PFA serves as the primary financial partner for assigned Program(s) and/or Service(s) providing endâtoâend financial planning analysis reporting and compliance support.
This is a midâlevel highâimpact role for a handsâon financial analyst who enjoys partnering with leadership translating technical financial data into insights and supporting dataâdriven decisionâmaking in a missionâdriven scientific research environment.
Essential Functions
Financial Management & Business Partnership
- Serve as the primary financial partner to Program and/or Service leadership and budget managers.
- Provide tailored endâtoâend financial planning analysis and decisionâsupport services.
- Develop and maintain metrics and dashboards to monitor financial health trends and risks.
Budget Development & Planning
- Lead financial support for assigned Program(s)/Service(s) during the annual Program Operating Plan (POP) process.
- Support preparation of quarterly and annual external financial reports to the National Science Foundation (NSF).
- Partner with budget managers and AURA Central Administrative Services (CAS) to develop bottomâup budgets using appropriate methodologies (e.g. earned value where applicable).
Forecasting & Workforce Planning
- Produce recurring inâyear and multiâyear forecasts rolling budgets and estimates at completion (EAC).
- Maintain workforce plans hiring assumptions and detailed staffing changes to support quarterly forecasting and reporting.
- Incorporate scope changes updated cost data and evolving assumptions into forecasts.
Proposal & New Funding Support
- Collaborate with stakeholders to develop compliant realistic budgets for new funding opportunities and proposals.
- Translate technical scope into fully costed labor and nonâlabor budgets.
- Develop bases of estimate and provide financial guidance through proposal submission.
Financial Analysis & Reporting
- Analyze budget vs. actual variances funding availability and financial risks.
- Identify and recommend corrective actions and mitigation strategies.
- Design and implement new financial reports and analyses in response to emerging needs.
- Partner with CAS and external experts to develop analytical tools and improve reporting capabilities.
Compliance & Internal Controls
- Support NOIRLabs internal controls and ensure compliance with:
- NOIRLab policies and procedures
- AURA policies
- Contractual and award requirements
- Advise managers on applicability of:
- OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200)
- Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
- Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)
- Contribute to continuous improvement of NOIRLabs financial planning analysis and control processes.
Collaboration & Organizational Support
- Work closely with other PFAs the NOIRLab Finance team PMO Management Team and CAS.
- Support crossâfunctional initiatives and organizational financial coherence.
Requirements
Education & Experience
- Bachelors or Masters degree in Finance Accounting Business Administration or equivalent relevant experience.
- 4 years of experience in Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) or a similar role.
Technical Skills
- Experience with ERP systems (e.g. SAP Deltek Costpoint Oracle Sage or similar).
- Advanced Excel skills and experience working with large complex data sets.
Core Competencies
- Strong analytical and criticalâthinking skills.
- Exceptional attention to detail.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to partner across all levels.
- Demonstrated curiosity adaptability and interest in improving and streamlining processes.
Preferred Qualifications
- Masters degree (MBA or similar) or professional financial certification.
- Experience with:
- Deltek Costpoint and Cognos BI
- Business intelligence and data tools (Access SQL Business Objects)
- Background in federally sponsored research nonâprofit or government contract environments.
- Familiarity with:
- OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200)
- FAR and CAS
- Earned Value Management (EVM)
- Indirect rate development and application
- Experience training others on financial systems or tools.
- Proficiency with collaboration tools (e.g. Google Workspace Confluence Asana JIRA).
- Experience in international multicultural or highâtechnology environments.
- Working knowledge of Spanish.
Apply by May 23 2026 for priority consideration. This position will remain open until it is filled. Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: LastName DocName.
Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can request assistance here.
Required Experience:
IC
About Company
AURA operates and builds world-class astronomical observatories for the National Science Foundation and NASA and advances research in astronomy
