The Program Financial Analyst (PFA) reports to the Associate Director of Administration and is a key member of NOIRLab’s 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 end‑to‑end financial planning, analysis, reporting, and compliance support. This is a mid‑level, high‑impact role for a hands‑on financial analyst who enjoys partnering with leadership, translating technical financial data into insights, and supporting data‑driven decision‑making in a mission‑driven, 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, end‑to‑end financial planning, analysis, and decision‑support 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 bottom‑up budgets using appropriate methodologies (e.g., earned value where applicable). FORECASTING & WORKFORCE PLANNING * Produce recurring in‑year and multi‑year 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 non‑labor 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 NOIRLab’s internal controls and ensure compliance with:
- NOIRLab policies and procedures
- AURA policies
- Contractual and award requirements