What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Financial Planning & Analysis Analyst position at Space Telescope?
The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) is a multi-mission science operations center for NASA’s flagship observatories. Our world-class astronomical research center is based on the Johns Hopkins University Homewood campus in Baltimore, Maryland (Click here to learn more about our missions). This position could support working from home. Candidates must be in our local market to be able to report on-site when needed.
STScI is seeking a Senior Financial Planning and Analysis Analyst to support the planning, budget development, forecasting, compliance, and reporting activities for the Institute. This position uses Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) budgeting systems, spreadsheets, databases, and other tools to assemble and analyze financial information for the management of the STScI and it's missions, and for contractual reporting.
Your Role & Responsibilities include:
- Developing and maintaining annual budgets and forecasts, financial analysis, and project financial management.
- Assisting with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) compliance.
- Assisting with the annual development of provisional indirect rates and monthly, quarterly analysis to actual indirect rates. Perform cost modeling to forecast projected annual spend.
- Providing ongoing analytical financial support to the Mission Offices, timely preparing and submitting NASA 533M and 533Q financial reports, and identifying key areas of risk and/or opportunity.
- Analyzing performance for individual projects within the annual plans against their planned effort.
- Providing cost estimates and pricing that will be supplied to the government in response to proposal requests. Provide support in contract negotiations.
- Working with the scientific, technical, and administrative support units to ensure all appropriate cost elements are collected in the proposed work plan and accurately cost.
- Developing reports and graphical materials and/or presentations, apply data visualization and business intelligence tools to present financial insights clearly for internal and external stakeholders.
- Recommending changes in business policies, practices, and processes.
- Identify opportunities to automate recurring financial processes, dashboards, and reporting workflows. Partner with IT, HR, PMO and operations teams to integrate financial data across systems for improved analytics.
- Support development of AI-driven trend analysis, cost modeling and planning models, and scenario simulations.
Qualifications:
- Strong knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).
- Practical knowledge of full CAS applicability, experience supporting FFP and CPFF contracts is strongly preferred.
- Strong proficiency in accounting principles, with the ability to apply them in a government contracting environment.
- Proficient knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and advanced excel skills.
- Experience using Deltek/Costpoint/Cobra, including COGNOS reporting is a plus.
- Experience with program management and program cost analysis and/or experience developing/managing indirect rates is desired.
- Experience administering programs for government contracts strongly preferred.
- Experience building and maintaining advanced financial data models and analyses.
- Ability to communicate clearly both in writing and verbally with stakeholders across all levels and functions in the organization.
- Ability to independently organize, analyze, interpret, and evaluate programmatic, staffing, and cost data.
Education/ Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field with a minimum of 6 years of practical experience. Master’s degree preferred but not required. CPA designation is strongly desired.
STScI will consider additional relevant education or experience for the stated qualifications. The starting position and salary are commensurate with education and experience. Salary range 85-97K. This position is a full-time position with a four-year term. You will be immediately eligible for our comprehensive benefits and option for renewal.
The starting position and salary are commensurate with education and experience. We offer an excellent and generous benefits package (Click here to explore our benefits). STScI offers a flexible and welcoming workspace for all (Click here to learn more about our culture).
TO APPLY: Share your experience by uploading a resume and completing an online application. Applications received by June 12, 2026. will receive full consideration. Applications received after this date will be considered until the position is filled.
Please ONLY use this direct link to apply: https://apply.workable.com/j/AF144CF04B
Any inquiries about your application status can be directed to careers@stsci.edu. Reference #: HRC0015917
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