Overview

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy.

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.

The Office of Financial Service (OFS) is dedicated to supporting the mission of Brookings by ensuring and enhancing its financial health and promoting financial efficiency and innovation. We accomplish this by safeguarding the institution’s assets, stewarding donor contributions and providing quality and client-driven service characterized by professionalism, integrity, reliability, transparency, accountability, expertise, and above all else – respectfulness and fairness. OFS is comprised of Accounting, Financial Planning and Management, Financial Operations and Investments. 

The Office of Financial Planning and Management (OFPM) is responsible for preparing and executing against the annual institutional operating and capital budgets as well as long-range financial modeling for the Brookings Institution. This includes financial management of Institutional Initiatives and all Business Units. OFPM also oversee grants financial management for the Institution, which consists of a diversified funding portfolio, including U.S. and foreign governments, private foundations, individuals and Universities.

The Financial Analyst is a member of the Office of Financial Planning and Management (OFPM) and reports to the Director of Finance, Planning and Analysis The Office of Financial Planning and Management (OFPM) is responsible for the integration and oversight of all of Brookings's financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and analysis, as well as interdisciplinary and strategic initiative tracking in support of its $90 million business operation. The Office reports to Senior Vice President and its primary objective is to strengthen the Brookings culture by facilitating forward thinking and financial accountability. This office works with senior management across all research, administrative operating support, and business areas of the organization to develop, integrate, consolidate and report both short-range (actual, budget, and forecast) and long-range (strategic, multi-year) estimates, plans, and initiatives. The OFPM spearheads the analysis process in conducting standard and special analyses that provide insightful views into the Institution’s operations and financial performance, including identifying, evaluating, and reporting on both tactical and strategic initiatives as well as risks and opportunities to the organization’s goals and commitments. The OFPM spearheads capital planning and it supports any aspect of the Brookings controllership environment, including working with the Brookings’s Controller, external auditors, donors, etc., to ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements.

Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week. Vaccine Policy: Brookings requires all staff to submit proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 to be in Brookings buildings. Individuals that (i) have a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination, or (ii) who object to being vaccinated based on a sincerely held religious belief, may request a reasonable accommodation. Brookings policies on masks and other pandemic mitigation measures will continue to be informed by DC and CDC guidelines.

Responsibilities

Ready to contribute to Brookings success?

This position is responsible for supporting the Director of Finance on data analysis, management, and visualization with regards to institution-wide budgeting, forecasting and actuals, including drafting financial statements, presentations, charts, and dashboards for the Institution. The Financial Analyst will provide in-depth analyses of operating revenue and expense data for Brookings research programs and business units. This is an excellent opportunity to develop strong financial planning and analytical skills while working at a high-impact organization.

Financial Analysis (80%)

• Prepares, summarizes, updates, and verifies Institutional and program-level accounting and budget financial data, including but not limited to: 1) budgeted and actual revenue and expense, 2) direct and indirect allocation rates, 3) endowment revenue, 4) operating cash, 5) staffing, 6) capital expenses, 7) fund balances, and 8) other data and KPIs

• Consolidates and updates annual, quarterly, and monthly trackers, reports, and dashboards including 1) monthly actuals reports and dashboards, 2) monthly and quarterly financial status dashboards, 3) program reserve balance projections, 4) monthly and quarterly cash projections, 5) revenue reports and reconciliations, and 6) other trackers, reports, and dashboards as assigned

• Builds, updates, and verifies complex financial models including but not limited to: 1) variance analyses, 2) forecasts and projections, 3) scenario building, 4) trend analyses, 5) profit and loss statements, 6) return on investments, and 7) other analyses as assigned

• Assists in the consolidation budget and forecast submissions from programs, reviewing and verifying submission data and supporting materials for completeness, consistency, and accuracy

• Assists in preparation of materials for annual budget and monthly actuals review meetings with programs; responsible for quality control of financial data as well as formatting of all materials.

• Prepares, verifies, and updates budget, forecast, and actual data in SQL databases, ensuring data integrity and updating linked dashboards in data visualization software (currently Tableau)

• Creates, updates, verifies, and optimizes presentations of financial data in Excel and PowerPoint using advanced data visualization methods

• Supports the preparation of dashboards, presentations, analyses, and other materials for the Budget and Finance Committee meetings

• Helps with tool and process development throughout the year such as the budget templates, notes templates, maintenance of financial planning calendar documents, milestone tracking, dashboard and reporting templates

• Drafts written qualitative and descriptive analyses of financial data, critically assessing and summarizing key takeaways, variances, and issues

Other Responsibilities (20%)

• Support OFPM with additional projects and processes as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications:

Education/Experience Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree required; in accounting, finance, or related field preferred. Minimum two years of relevant work experience required. Experience with identifying critical information needs for decision support, pinpointing the sources of information and utilizing the financial systems or chosen technologies to present data through meaningful management reports required. Experience in a non-profit setting is preferred. Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements:

High level of attention to detail required; strong administrative and organizational skills required; excellent communication skills required; knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite required; advanced excel skills required; advanced PowerPoint skills preferred; proficiency in data management software strongly preferred; familiarity with data visualization software preferred; PeopleSoft knowledge a plus. Budget experience and familiarity with budgeting or accounting software required. Solid knowledge of budgets and accounting principles. Must be a mature, self-motivated, team player who gets along well with a variety of personality-types and can work independently. Proven ability to develop new and refine existing processes to new situations. Must be flexible and capable of working in a fast-paced environment with shifting and competing priorities. Must be customer service oriented. Extreme honesty and discretion required, with the ability to appropriately handle confidential information.

Additional Information:

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings.

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply. Please note: if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings.

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms. We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.