Financial Analyst

SUMMARY

The Financial Analyst is a key partner in achieving the Exploratorium’s mission and vision by providing financial guidance, support, and analysis to senior management and multiple departments within the organization. The Financial Analyst serves as a primary financial planning authority for assigned departments and leads cross-functional finance processes across the organization. The Financial Analyst exercises independent judgment and management-level authority over financial modeling, planning methodologies, and system administration within their portfolio of responsibility. The Financial Analyst brings their interest in both details and big picture concepts to communicate financial performance compared to budget, short-term and long-term business performance in their areas of responsibility, and other financial analysis as needed. The Financial Analyst owns financial planning infrastructure and stewards execution across departments. This position reports to the Director of Financial Planning & Analysis.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Own and lead the annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting processes for assigned divisions.

Work with Financial Analyst peers to prepare budget and forecast packages, including explanatory narratives, variance analysis, and presentation materials.

Provide independent financial oversight across cost centers and departments within assigned portfolio.

Create financial models for specific high-visibility projects or scenarios to facilitate operational or strategic decision-making.

Identify financial risks and opportunities and provide strategic recommendations to department and senior leadership.

Review data at the cost center/project level, division/consolidated group level, and organization level; ensure integrity of the submitted data.

Improve financial outcomes by analyzing results, monitoring variances, identifying trends, and recommending actions to budget owners.

Prepare presentation-ready financial reports, charts, tables, written summaries, and other materials.

Acts as a financial business partner to department heads and senior managers, guiding budget decisions and financial strategy for assigned portfolios.

Serves as the financial planning authority for assigned departments, providing independent recommendations to senior leadership on budget, forecast, and long-range planning decisions.

Research and resolve inquiries for assigned departments and/or functional areas.

Lead personnel cost tracking and payroll variance analysis.

Support the Director of FP&A in the development and maintenance of long range financial plan.

Convene and lead financial planning meetings with department leadership to align assumptions, timelines, and resource strategies.

Serve as institutional administrator and functional owner of Workday Adaptive Planning, responsible for system governance, reporting architecture, access controls, and continuous improvement.

Manage special projects and other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

BA/BS degree in finance, accounting, business or closely related field

5 years of progressively responsible experience in financial planning and analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and institutional or departmental financial management; experience in a complex nonprofit, museum, higher education, or similarly matrixed organization preferred

Demonstrated experience guiding annual budget development, regular forecasting, and long-range financial planning processes for multiple departments, programs, or business units

Advanced Excel skills; strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace applications

Advanced knowledge/ownership of software administration and experience in administration of enterprise financial planning systems

Proven ability to develop, maintain, and interpret complex financial models, scenario analyses, and management reports to support strategic planning, resource allocation, and operational decision-making

Strong attention to detail combined with sound judgment and the ability to maintain a broad institutional perspective

Self-motivated with the ability to work effectively with minimal direction and manage multiple projects; adeptness at working on both solo projects and team projects

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships and influence decision-making across all levels of the organization, including guiding budget managers and departmental leaders through planning and forecasting processes

Proven ability to interpret financial information for managers, directors, and non-finance stakeholders and work collaboratively all levels of the organization

Demonstrated discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment in handling confidential and sensitive financial information

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience working in a non-profit organization; understanding of non-profit financials and accounting practices

Experience working in Workday Adaptive Planning, especially work experience as an Administrator

Familiarity with business intelligence and data visualization tools (e.g. MS Power BI or Tableau)

Experience with SQL/database report building, particularly in Salesforce

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position is based in San Francisco, California, with staff expected to work on site a designated number of days per week based on department requirements

Ability to work at a computer and view a monitor for extended periods of time.

Ability to use standard office equipment, including a computer, keyboard, telephone, printer and copier

Ability to lift, carry, push or move materials up to 20 pounds

Ability to occasionally bend, reach, stoop, and move throughout the workplace

APPLICATION DEADLINE

This position is open until filled

HOW TO APPLY

This is a regular, full-time (37.5 hours per week), exempt non-union position that includes benefits. The salary for this position is $90,000 to $95,000 DOE. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment Visa at this time. Please, no phone calls in regards to this job. Please include a cover letter with your application. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered for review. To apply, please visit the Exploratorium job page.