Senior Finance Systems Analyst (Workday)

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is currently seeking an experienced Senior Finance Systems Analyst with expertise in financial systems and Workday to join our Financial Planning & Analysis and Finance Systems team.  The Senior Finance Systems Analyst will play a crucial role in analyzing and optimizing the Institution’s financial systems and processes.  This position works closely with WHOI’s Finance & Accounting and Information Systems teams, as well as other internal and external resources. This is a full-time, exempt position, and is eligible for benefits. This position can be performed remotely, with the ability to travel to the office on occasion when needed. 

• Analyze and optimize WHOI’s financial systems and processes, specifically leveraging your expertise in Workday
• Work closely with multiple internal stakeholders including the Finance & Accounting team, WHOI Information systems, and other internal & external resource partners to implement best practices and comprehensive financial processes & system solutions
• Key point of contact (Subject Matter Expert - SME), playing critical role in our Workday Financial Systems implementation project via close collaboration and partnership with business process owners in A/P, A/R, PO/Inventory, Cash Management, General Ledger/Financial Statement Reporting, Financial Planning & Analysis, and Fixed Assets/Property to assist, guide and facilitate:
• Identification of thoughtful improvements that achieve measurable outcomes with end users
• Requirements gathering and translation of these business requirements between business owners, WHOI Information Services, and other internal & external resources
• Ensuring requirements are well-defined, complete and align with business objectives
• Workflow and task analysis, including an in-depth analysis of existing financial processes and systems and identification of areas for improvement and optimization
• Critical evaluation of information gathered, reconciling conflicts and assisting in guiding direction to future state of departmental needs and system solutions
• Development of system design to best support business process owners and end users
• Coordination of system and end user testing and troubleshooting with business owners
• Integration of financial systems with other business applications and tools
• Development of end user training, user guides, and documentation
• Deliver ongoing support to Finance & Accounting Business Owners for implementation, development, administration and maintenance of WHOI’s financial systems, ensuring optimum functionality
• Develop dashboards and metrics to assist business owners in monitoring system performance and identifying trends or issues
• Assist Finance & Accounting team in providing useful system output, reports and data analytics
• Coordinate all enhancements, upgrades, testing and end user training
• Continuously identify and work with Finance & Accounting business owners to implement system and workflow improvement opportunities that align with Institutional goals, including implementation of any external audit and/or risk assessment recommendations
• Continuously foster opportunities for increased productivity and system user experiences for the Finance & Accounting team

Non-Essential Functions

Additional duties as deemed necessary by supervisor. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field required
• MBA preferred, but not required
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience as a Finance Systems Analyst, with a focus on financial systems and processes
• Extensive experience and expertise in Workday financial modules, including implementation, configuration, support, administration and maintenance required
• Experience with Cognos Analytics is a plus
• Demonstrated project management experience
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions
• Experience in gathering and documenting business requirements, conducting gap analysis and creating functional specifications
• Solid understanding of system integration principles and best practices
• Advanced proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools such as Excel, SQL and other BI reporting and analytic platforms
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to effectively collaborate with stakeholders at various levels of the organization
• Detail-oriented mindset with a focus on data accuracy and system integrity
• Highly organized and able to create structure and systemic approach to workflows
• Able to work independently and manage multiple tasks and priorities
• Ability to work collaboratively and build positive relationships at all organizational levels
• Exceptional interpersonal skills: tact, patience, diplomacy, confidentiality, integrity, respect and kindness

This position is mostly sedentary in nature and involves some repetitive motion such as with data entry.  There is also the occasional need for retrieving and replacing files that requires some bending, stooping, pushing and pulling.  This position will work alone as well as around and with others. Physical duties are subject to change.