Finance Manager (FP&A)

Sanford Burnham Prebys is much more than a research facility and hub for innovation; it’s a vibrant global community of talented scientists and researchers from over 30 countries. This worldwide representation enriches our perspectives and enhances our creative approach to solving complex scientific challenges.

We strive to be leaders not only in biomedical research but also in creating an environment where excellence thrives through collaboration across cultures and backgrounds. Our mission is to advance the biomedical sciences by cultivating the next generation of scientific leaders, providing meaningful opportunities for researchers of all backgrounds to learn, innovate, and make breakthrough discoveries that improve human health.

Together, we translate science into health.

The duties and responsibilities contained in the job description are intended to be examples of the accountabilities for which the person in the position will demonstrate competency through performance. The job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Duties and responsibilities are subject to change and other duties may be assigned as necessary.

Position Summary:

The Finance Manager is a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and collaborative finance professional reporting to the Sr. Director of Financial Planning & Analysis. This role assists in managing financial planning, reporting, forecasting, and performance analysis activities that support transparent decision-making across the organization.

The Finance Manager serves as a finance business partner and Workday subject matter expert responsible for leveraging Workday Financials and Adaptive Planning to support budgeting, forecasting, reporting, analytics, and continuous process improvement initiatives. This role assists the Sr. Director of Financial Planning & Analysis with the development, maintenance, and optimization of Workday-based financial reports, dashboards, recurring management reporting packages, and planning solutions while ensuring data integrity, reporting accuracy, and scalable reporting practices.

This position also supports enterprise-wide Workday initiatives, including implementations, enhancements, upgrades, testing, documentation, and process optimization efforts. Workday implementation support may extend broadly across Finance, Accounting, Payroll, Human Resources, Procurement, and other functional areas beyond FP&A to improve financial visibility, operational efficiency, and organizational decision support.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the preparation, consolidation, and review of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial report packages for leadership and management review.
• Assist in leading budget analysis, forecast development, variance analysis, financial projections, accounting research, and coordination of financial data with operating departments.
• Serve as Finance lead and subject matter expert for Workday Financials and Adaptive Planning reporting, analytics, forecasting, budgeting, and financial planning processes.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize Workday Financials and Adaptive Planning reports, dashboards, scorecards, and recurring management reporting packages to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Partner with Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Payroll, Procurement, and other business units to define reporting requirements and deliver cross-functional Workday reporting and planning solutions.
• Support Workday implementation projects, upgrades, enhancements, and process improvement initiatives across multiple functional areas beyond FP&A by participating in requirements gathering, business process design, system testing, user acceptance testing (UAT), data validation, documentation, and deployment activities.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across the organization to improve Workday functionality, report efficiency, data quality, internal controls, and business processes.
• Build and maintain financial models to support budgeting, forecasting, scenario planning, variance analysis, and business case evaluation.
• Maintain monthly indirect operating expense forecast versus plan reports and identify trends, risks, and opportunities for leadership review.
• Track financial trends, KPIs, and emerging metrics while creating new reporting views as business needs evolve.
• Develop and maintain reporting documentation, training materials, and governance standards to ensure consistency and sustainability of Workday reporting and planning solutions.
• Provide functional support and guidance to Workday users, troubleshoot reporting issues, and recommend solutions that align with organizational goals and best practices.
• Identify, create, and implement improvements to department planning, forecasting, reporting, and analysis processes, with a focus on accuracy, repeatability, automation, and efficiency.
• Conduct ad hoc financial analyses and reporting projects at the request of senior management.
• Provide guidance, review, and training to finance staff or business partners on reporting tools, Workday report outputs, and standardized reporting practices.
• Perform other related tasks, duties and responsibilities as required, assigned or directed.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field and six years of progressively responsible experience in financial planning, accounting, financial reporting, or financial analysis; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been attained.

Experience:

• Strong Workday Financials experience is required, including report development, financial data management, budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting.
• Adaptive Planning experience is required, including budget development, forecast modeling, scenario planning, and reporting.
• Prior experience in a finance manager, senior financial analyst, or comparable role supporting budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and cross-functional business partnership.
• Experience supporting or participating in Workday implementations, upgrades, optimization initiatives, or post-implementation enhancements is desirable but not required.
• Workday Human Capital Management (HCM) experience is desirable but not required.
• Experience developing reporting packages, dashboards, financial models, and recurring analysis for management or executive review.

Certifications, Licenses, etc: None required, but Workday Pro certification or equivalent Workday credentials are desirable

Other Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities:

• Expert knowledge of Workday Financials and Adaptive Planning, including reporting, dashboards, calculated fields, data validation, planning models, and financial planning processes.
• Ability to translate complex business requirements into scalable reporting and planning solutions within Workday.
• Advanced knowledge of MS Excel and PowerPoint, including financial modeling, reporting package creation, data analysis, and executive-ready presentation of financial results.
• Experience with Power BI, IBM Planning Analytics, Cognos, Python, or other business intelligence, planning, automation, or analytics tools is a plus.
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and produce accurate work in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to analyze and resolve issues of high complexity, including data integrity, report logic, and financial interpretation questions.
• Strong process-improvement mindset with the ability to standardize reporting, document assumptions, and improve recurring finance workflows.
• Professional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to explain financial and reporting concepts clearly to finance and non-finance audiences.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment while exercising sound judgment and discretion.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, time management, and accountability for high-quality deliverables.
• Able to lead projects, coach or train other individuals, and support adoption of reporting tools and best practices.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Direct: Yes 

Indirect: No

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 

This job is hybrid. When working on-site, the work environment is in a standard office setting. Frequently exposed to low to moderate noise, various odors, temperature changes, and equipment with moving parts, including but not limited to computers, phones, printers, and other standard office equipment. Walking on campus may include uneven ground such as stairs and some walkways.

If working from home, you are responsible for ensuring a quiet, organized, and comfortable setting, free from significant noise or distractions. The role requires the use of standard home office equipment, including but not limited to computers and phones. As you may be exposed to minimal noise and temperature variations depending on your home setup, it's important to maintain a workspace that supports productivity and well-being. Reliable internet connectivity and a suitable workstation are essential to fulfill job responsibilities effectively.

Physical Requirements:

This role may require specific physical capabilities, including: 

• Standing and Walking: Ability to occasionaly (up to 3 hrs) walk, and frequently (up to 6 hrs) stand. 
• Other physical activity: Frequently sitting, and occasionally bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, crawling or twisting may be required.
• Lifting and Carrying: Capability to lift and carry equipment and materials, occasionally up to 50 pounds. 
• Manual Dexterity: Occasional periods of repetitive use of their hand, including but not limited to simple grasping, power grasping, fine manipulation, pushing, pulling, and reaching. Frequent repetitive use of your hands will be keyboarding.

Work Location: This is a hybrid position; candidates must be willing to work onsite in San Diego. Out-of-state applicants must disclose their willingness to relocate.

Compensation: The expected hiring range for this position is $125,000.00-$140,000.00/annually commensurate with relevant experience.

We welcome talented individuals of all backgrounds regardless of gender, sex, religion, race, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, perceived disability, pregnancy, pregnancy-related condition, reproductive health decisions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS, marital status, covered veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations. We are proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer.

As part of this commitment, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our Benefits Team at (858) 646-3100 or via e-mail at benefits@sbpdiscovery.org