Program Financial Analyst

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 $M, 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
• Advise managers on applicability of: OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR ) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)
• Contribute to continuous improvement of NOIRLab’s financial planning, analysis, and control processes.

Collaboration & Organizational Support

• Work closely with other PFAs, the NOIRLab Finance team, PMO, Management Team, and CAS.
• Support cross‑functional initiatives and organizational financial coherence.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s 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 critical‑thinking 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

• Master’s 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, non‑profit, or government contract environments.
• Familiarity with: OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR ) 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 high‑technology environments.
• Working knowledge of Spanish.

Occasional travel within and outside the contiguous United States. Location: Preferably Tucson, open to Washinton D.C. The NSF NOIRLab is the preeminent US national center for ground-based, nighttime optical and infrared astronomy. NOIRLab is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) which operates as a matrix organization, providing services across a range of programs: Gemini, Rubin, MSO (CTIO and KPNO), and CSDC; with facilities in three geographic locations: Arizona, Chile and Hawai’i. The mission of NOIRLab is to enable breakthrough discoveries in astrophysics by developing and operating state-of-the-art ground-based observatories and providing data products and services for our community. Salary Range: $85, - $93, per year. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications and experience.