Finance - Senior Budget and Finance Analyst

Join the PRIDE and Brookfield Zoo Chicago's mission to ignite emotional connections with wildlife that spark conservation action while leading vital programs to protect endangered species. Our beautiful 235-acre campus offers a living classroom that is home to over 3,500 animals representing 500 species. Brookfield Zoo Chicago is embarking on a groundbreaking, ambitious Next Century Plan to achieve our vision. It is the beginning of an exciting transformative journey!

This is a non-union full-time salaried position, grade 11 with an expected hiring range of $100,897.96 to $112,248.98 annually. For our Benefits Summary Information, follow this link to our Benefits Table or copy and paste the following in your internet browser www.brookfieldzoo.org/custom.czs/files/06/06337b2c-b3db-45a2-8eb2-f8362486bd0e.pdf (please refer to the non-union, full-time employee section) and/or refer to the benefit details provided below after the job description information.

This position contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago ("BZC") and its financial sustainability by working with Vice President, Finance ("VPF") to prepare, administer and analyze the organization's annual budget and monthly forecasting processes, perform operational analyses to support management decision making, as well as managing the detailed analysis and reporting for capital projects

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

1. *Assist in Brookfield Zoo Chicago's annual budget process.

a. Provide support to Budget Team members through BZC's budget process from preparation to approval. Conduct budget review meetings with Budget Team members in each business unit, liaising with the Senior Leader of each business unit and VPF when appropriate. Serve as Budget Team member for Finance department.

b. Assist in the preparation of management analysis of the budget's major revenue and cost categories. Conduct meetings with Budget Team members to evaluate reasonableness of revenue and expense assumptions.

c. Work with VPF to prepare formal budget documents for review and approval by the Board Finance and Investment Committee.

2. *Lead BZC's periodic reforecast process.

a. Lead Budget Team members through BZC's periodic reforecast process. Attend and support reforecast review meetings with VPF and senior management in each business unit. Analyze changes made to the new reforecast in the accounting system.

b. Assist in the preparation of the management analysis of revenue and expense changes.

3. *Aide in the development and maintenance of a three-year financial projection.

a. Create a financial model that captures three scenarios (base case, best case, and worst case) for management consideration.

b. Incorporate business initiatives and strategic elements into forward-looking analysis.

4. *Manage the tracking of fixed assets, project costs, and associated use of related funding sources.

a. Ensure proper recording of new purchases, asset disposals, and depreciation.

b. Create fixed asset journal entries.

c. Perform analyses and prepare reporting to track capital project progress and follow-up with responsible parties on timelines and receipt of external funding.

d. Ensure external and internal funding to support capital projects are properly recorded.

e. Investigate the potential obsolescence of fixed assets.

5. *Prepare regular management reports and analyses at the direction of the CFAO and VPF. Provide ad hoc JET report writing and dashboards for senior managers and/or departments.

6. *Perform other accounting, financial, or administrative tasks as may be required from time to time, often on a short notice, for VPF or CFAO.

7. Other related duties as assigned.

* Denotes Essential Job Function(s)

POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance required.
• Minimum three years' directly related or comparable experience of similar scope in budgeting and/or financial planning and analysis. Solid financial and analytical skills.
• Experience with capital projects and the GAAP requirements of capital accounting.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and particularly Excel.
• Experience with automated accounting, budgeting systems and business intelligence platforms.
• English fluency at a full professional proficiency level required.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and effective listening required. Concise, descriptive and comprehensive writing skills. Must be articulate and well spoken, capable of effectively representing the organization to various audiences.
• Ability to work under pressure, juggle multiple priorities, and meet critical deadlines.
• Ability to deal effectively and tactfully with others.
• Strong organizational, follow-up and follow-through skills. Attention to detail, accuracy, completeness and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of privileged information.
• High integrity; strong work ethic.
• Cultural competency; experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.

DESIRED/PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Registered Certified Public Accountant license.
• Masters of Business Administration.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics Nav, Serenic Navigator and JET Reports; Microsoft Access experience is desirable
• Experience supporting the reporting to Board of Trustees and/or relevant subcommittees (i.e., Audit, Finance, Investment, etc.) a plus.
• Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:This position description summarizes the primary duties and functions of this position, but should not be considered a complete listing of every duty the incumbent may ever be called upon to perform. Incumbent is required to gain an intimate understanding of the organization, its mission, vision, values, and operating philosophies, and how Finance activities impact the operation of BZC and individual departments. Incumbent has a high level of responsibility and accountability from a financial and operational standpoint. Position requires high level of attention to detail and accuracy and a significant amount of initiative and follow-up. Must be self-motivated, confident, and have very strong people and leadership skills. Incumbent must enjoy a challenge and have a commitment to excellence. Work weeks of 45+ hours are not unusual and may include some extended days or weekends to meet established deadlines or for special projects. Individual is expected to be present and visible at BZC events and to assist in other areas of Finance as needed. Some local or domestic travel may be required.

OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: See Occupational Requirements Form.

001320/070725

Holidays: Non-union employees are eligible for 8 paid holidays per year.

Medical Insurance: Employees may choose from one of two medical plans: Blue Cross-Blue Shield HMO or PPO Plan. A waiver credit is available to employees who waive enrollment in medical insurance. Coverage begins on the employee's hire date.

Dental Insurance & Vision Care Coverage: A dental plan and an employee-paid vision care plan are available. A waiver credit is offered to employees who waive enrollment in the dental plan. Coverage begins on the employee's hire date.

Mental Health: Support, counseling, and resources for life issues at no cost to the employee. Eligible employees and their immediate family have access to Perspectives, a dynamic Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) which provides 24/7, confidential care and resources to address work and life stressors.

Retirement Savings: A 401(k) savings plan is available for all employees. Choose either pre-tax and/or Roth after-tax contributions. First of the quarter following one year of service, eligible employees receive matching contributions of 50% of the first 6% you contribute.

Employer-paid Income Protection: Short-Term and Long-Term disability benefits are available which provide up to 60% of the employee's base weekly wages for the first 90 days, then up to 60% of the employee's monthly wages if the employee is unable to return to work. Basic Term Life & Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance policies each in the coverage amount of 1X the employee's annual salary, plus an additional $10,000 in coverage. Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in these benefits upon hire.

Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): Brookfield Zoo Chicago believes in helping eligible employees take advantage of pre-tax savings for eligible healthcare and/or dependent care expenses. Eligible employees may set aside pre-tax dollars from their paychecks to save for pre-tax reimbursement of qualified healthcare and/or dependent care expenses.

Voluntary Benefits:

-Supplemental Term Life Insurance - Group Accident Insurance

-Supplemental Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance - Group Critical Illness Insurance

-Supplemental Dependent Life Insurance - Identity Theft Protection