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POSITION SPECIFICS
The Penn State College of Medicine, Controller’s Office, in Hershey, PA, is seeking a Financial Specialist, Principal Professional to support the Medical Education business area by providing strategic oversight of budget, fiscal, operational, and compliance-related financial activities. This position supports leadership through financial planning, forecasting, executive reporting, operational analysis, and financial management across a complex academic and medical education enterprise.
This role oversees financial operations associated with an approved business area budget of approximately $34.5M across nine academic, student, and administrative areas, including Medical Education, Student Affairs, University Park Medical Campus, Library, Human Structure, Physician Assistant Program, Simulation Center, Global Health, and Continuing Education. The position supports diverse financial activities associated with educational programs, student and academic services, faculty and staff funding, gifts and endowments, and other operational resources supporting the College of Medicine's educational mission.
This position serves as a key financial resource to leadership and is responsible for budget preparation, forecasting, labor planning, financial analysis, executive reporting, compliance oversight, and operational support. The role develops executive-level reports, dashboards, and presentations to support strategic decision-making and collaborates with academic and program leadership, faculty, staff, and central administrative offices to ensure effective financial stewardship and operational continuity across the Medical Education business area.
This position offers a flexible work arrangement that combines remote and on-campus work. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.
The successful candidate will:
- Reconcile and manage ledger and clearing accounts; resolve complex financial issues and ensure compliance with University policies.
- Compile and analyze financial and operational data for forecasting, strategic planning, resource allocation, and executive reporting.
- Prepare executive-level financial reports, dashboards, presentations, and operational analyses for leadership.
- Support labor planning, budget preparation, forecasting, and operational financial management activities across Medical Education programs and units.
- Maintain financial controls, operational procedures, and reporting structures to support compliance and efficient operations.
- Review and approve financial transactions, journal vouchers, correcting entries, and business expenses as appropriate.
- Provide financial analysis, operational forecasting, and strategic guidance to academic and administrative leadership.
- Support audit, compliance, accreditation-related, and year-end financial activities across the business area.
- Coordinate financial reporting and operational support activities associated with academic programs, student services, and other Medical Education initiatives.
- Provide oversight, workflow coordination, and guidance for financial staff supporting the business area.
Required skills and experience:
- Strong financial management and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial and operational data and translate it into actionable insights and recommendations for leadership.
- Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to independently manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and reporting requirements simultaneously.
- Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities, including the capacity to identify financial and operational risks, resolve complex issues, and develop and recommend process improvements.
- Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex financial information and effectively collaborate with senior leadership, faculty, academic and administrative staff, and other stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, maintain confidentiality, and manage sensitive financial information with professionalism and integrity.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree 8+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Due to the financial and fiduciary responsibilities of this position, successful completion of a credit history check will be required in addition to standard background checks.Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $81,312.00 - $122,016.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree and 8 or more years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Strong financial management and analytical skills
- Ability to interpret complex financial and operational data and provide actionable recommendations
- Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills
- Ability to independently manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and reporting requirements
- Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities
- Ability to identify financial and operational risks and recommend process improvements
- Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to collaborate with senior leadership, faculty, academic staff, administrative staff, and other stakeholders
- Ability to exercise independent judgment and maintain confidentiality
- Professionalism and integrity in managing sensitive financial information
- Successful completion of background checks and a credit history check
Penn State University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Penn State University and has not been reviewed or approved by Penn State University.
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Retirement Support — Employer contributions to SERS and the TIAA Alternate Plan are described as significant, with supplemental retirement options available. Feedback suggests these choices and contributions create strong long‑term value.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Full‑time employees accrue over 24 sick and vacation days annually, with additional university holidays and a winter break. Feedback suggests this depth of leave supports work–life balance.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — A 75% tuition discount extends to employees, spouses, and dependent children up to age 26 across resident instruction, World Campus, and Penn College courses. Feedback suggests this broad eligibility meaningfully enhances total rewards, especially for families.
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What We Do
There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our nearly 88,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. From access to state-of-the-art resources to interdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres, a Penn State degree is more than an education. The experiences and knowledge gained here will form the foundation for the lives our students build. Their contributions to the world begin with a Penn State degree. We Are Penn State.
