Full-Time Financial Analyst – Operations
Job Description
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation (Foundation) is a family foundation that is guided by the enduring business philosophy and personal values of Lucile and David Packard, who helped found one of the world’s leading technology companies. Their approach to business and community participation has guided our philanthropy for 50 years. Today, their children and grandchildren continue to help guide the work of the Foundation. The Foundation makes grants at the local, state, national, and international level and is located in Los Altos, CA.
The Foundation works on the issues their founders cared about most, which are
• Improving the lives of children
• Enabling the creative pursuit of science
• Advancing reproductive health
• Conserving and restoring the earth’s natural systems
• Supporting and strengthening an array of local nonprofit organizations
A staff of 120 conducts the day-to-day operations of the Foundation and a Board of Trustees oversees the work of the Foundation. For 2015, the Foundation expects to make grantmaking awards of over $300 million. David and Lucile Packard passed onto the Foundation the following core set of values: integrity, respect for all people, belief in individual leadership, commitment to effectiveness, and the capacity to think big.
Responsibilities
This is a unique opportunity for a Financial Analyst to work within and contribute to financial functions within philanthropy. We are looking for a versatile and intellectually curious individual who enjoys learning, training others, and improving processes.
The Financial Analyst provides key analytical support and analysis to multiple functions within Finance and Administration. Key areas of responsibility include: Financial planning and analysis, treasury, and tax functions – specifically the annual operating, capital, and investment budgets, management reporting, budget monitoring and variance reporting, investment and payout analysis, tax return preparation and filings, and backs up the controllership functions. This role will be cross-trained on major elements of grant budgets, grantmaking systems, and reporting.
The position will include the following responsibilities:
• Plans and leads annual operating, capital, and investment budget and forecast processes
• Analyzes and reports on financial information for ongoing management and financial decision making
• Sets up accounting structures and manages software for tracking and monitoring budgets
• As requested, provides financial analysis of grantee information and proposed program-related investments
• Prepares financial models for special projects
• Analyses information and prepares reports and projections on the Foundation’s endowment and payout planning
• Prepares cash flow forecasts for use in grant and operations payout
• Prepares the annual tax return and related documents
• Reviews the status of expenditure responsibility grants
• Monitors and processes property tax filings
• Documents and contributes to the development of financial accounting systems
• Proactively identifies and implements process improvements
• Establishes and maintains strong and positive working relationships across all departments
• Works as a team to back up other team members and functions
• Cross trains others
• Provides back up for Controllership functions (wires, checks, payroll review, AP and month-end close)
• Special projects and other duties, as assigned
Over time this role will provide back-up to assist with grantmaking financial management, monitoring the grant award budget and processes; and have a general understanding of the core grantmaking system (Fluxx).
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail and accuracy
• Independently performs complex quantitative analyses and scenarios
• Skilled with demonstrated experience in Microsoft Excel/Word/Outlook
• Familiarity with Adaptive Insights and Microsoft Dynamics
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated strong foundation in budgeting and business financial planning processes
• Proven organizational, judgment, flexibility, and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated experience to work collaboratively and build positive working relationships across the Foundation and contribute constructively to teams and projects
• Solution-oriented with the ability to prioritize work, follow through to completion, incorporate user feedback, multi-task, follow-up, and set and meet deadlines
• Comfortable with systems and processes
• Enjoys constructive and collaborative problem solving and learning and training others
• Ability to both self start and take direction
• Proficient in documenting and improving processes
• Demonstrated ability to protect information of a sensitive and confidential nature
• Strong ability to interact with all in a professional, courteous, culturally sensitive, and tactful manner
• Demonstrates grace under pressure
Physical Requirements
Candidate must have the ability to communicate via voice telephone, read and understand written communication, and generate written communication manually and using a computer. Candidate must also be able to work at a desk for long periods of time (2-3 hours), lift and move documents and supplies (not to exceed 25 lbs.), and bend to file or retrieve documents.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance or equivalent education and experience. 5-7 years of related work experience required.
Benefits and Compensation
The Foundation offers an excellent benefits package and a salary that is commensurate with relevant education and work experience. The position is full-time, exempt, and located in Los Altos, CA.