What are the responsibilities and job description for the Accounts Payable Analyst, Sr. position at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Job Summary
The Accounts Payable Analyst, Sr. serves as the lead subject matter expert (SME) for the institute’s payment and disbursement operations, providing operational leadership through guidance, coordination, issue resolution, and continuous improvement; this position also manages the accounts payable staff. The Analyst monitors and supports day-to-day payment activities while driving process efficiency, system optimization, control compliance, and audit readiness. This role combines hands-on execution with strategic responsibility to ensure the effective use of financial systems and alignment with organizational objectives.
Who We Are
Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the first technological research university in the United States. We bring creativity, science, and technology together to address society's greatest challenges. We cultivate exceptional problem-solvers by immersing them in a culture of rigorous inquiry, disciplined practice, and hands-on application. Our strategic plan, RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era of RPI. Explore the RPI Forward plan. ↗︎
Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, RPI is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the IBM Quantum System One - the first university-based quantum computer in the world.
With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program, tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth.
Minimum Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Business Hours: Monday - Friday
Travel
Local travel between campus locations only
Driving
No Driving
Starting Salary/Rate
Expected hiring range: $75,000 - $85,000
Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.
Application Instructions
Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.
If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.
Job Posted Date
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Total Compensation And Benefits Information
Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is committed to the cultivation of a community that is welcoming, inclusive, and above all values learning. We welcome candidates who bring a variety of perspectives to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's work and campus communities. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or other characteristic protected by law.
The Accounts Payable Analyst, Sr. serves as the lead subject matter expert (SME) for the institute’s payment and disbursement operations, providing operational leadership through guidance, coordination, issue resolution, and continuous improvement; this position also manages the accounts payable staff. The Analyst monitors and supports day-to-day payment activities while driving process efficiency, system optimization, control compliance, and audit readiness. This role combines hands-on execution with strategic responsibility to ensure the effective use of financial systems and alignment with organizational objectives.
Who We Are
Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the first technological research university in the United States. We bring creativity, science, and technology together to address society's greatest challenges. We cultivate exceptional problem-solvers by immersing them in a culture of rigorous inquiry, disciplined practice, and hands-on application. Our strategic plan, RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era of RPI. Explore the RPI Forward plan. ↗︎
Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, RPI is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the IBM Quantum System One - the first university-based quantum computer in the world.
With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program, tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Business, or related field
- Three (3) or more years of progressively responsible relevant experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Accounts Payable
- Experience with Banner or similar ERP systems
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office
- Must exhibit excellent analytical skills
- Ability to independently solve problems and be flexible
- High level of attention to detail, ability to multi-task
- Demonstrated ability to work with others in large complex projects
- Must exhibit excellent communication and presentation skills
- Excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills
- Self-motivated and possess the ability to set priorities and when to seek clarification
- Outstanding interpersonal skills with a commitment to exceptional customer service
- Ability to supervise others
- Provide process leadership and hands-on execution for the payable process, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant invoice processing and payment execution
- Act as the primary point of contact for payment issues, managing escalations, resolving complex invoice and payment issues, and advising internal stakeholders and suppliers
- Execute complex payment activities, including invoice review, coding, exception handling, and payment processing, ensuring adherence to internal controls and policies
- Identify, lead, and implement process and system improvements by leveraging capabilities within Jaggaer, Concur and AppZen to increase automation, reduce manual intervention, and enhance overall efficiency
- Monitor, analyze, and present payment metrics and system data to identify trends, proactively address bottlenecks, and drive data-informed decision-making
- Serve as a subject matter expert by providing guidance, recommending best practices, and helping standardize procedures to improve consistency, operational excellence, and payment processes
- Ensure data integrity across payment systems, maintain audit readiness, and serve as the lead SME supporting system enhancements, testing, and implementation of technology and process changes
- Design and deliver training initiatives for campus stakeholders on invoicing processes, procedures, and system use within Jaggaer and Concur, including development of clear, accessible documentation to drive compliance and improve the quality of invoice submission
- Oversee the recruitment and selection of staff to assist in attainment of goals and objectives; carries out human resource functions for direct reports including hiring, evaluating, training, developing, supporting, coaching, and when necessary, counseling and initiating disciplinary actions. Establish a work environment that fosters collaboration, respect, and excellence. Work with all Institute staff to provide outstanding customer service for internal and external constituents
- Other duties and projects as assigned
Business Hours: Monday - Friday
Travel
Local travel between campus locations only
Driving
No Driving
Starting Salary/Rate
Expected hiring range: $75,000 - $85,000
Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.
Application Instructions
Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.
If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.
Job Posted Date
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Total Compensation And Benefits Information
Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is committed to the cultivation of a community that is welcoming, inclusive, and above all values learning. We welcome candidates who bring a variety of perspectives to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's work and campus communities. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or other characteristic protected by law.
Salary : $75,000 - $85,000