Senior Space Analyst

About the role

The Senior Space Analyst is a key member of the Cost and Management Analysis (CMA) team within Stanford University’s Office of Research Administration (ORA), based at the Redwood City campus. This role develops the space base, building depreciation, lease costs, and land improvement costs for the University’s indirect cost (IDC) proposal submissions to the federal government. The analyst manages the University Space Inventory for all on-campus and off-campus buildings, ensuring compliance with OMB Uniform Guidance and space mapping guidelines. The position also serves as the owner and administrator of the electronic PI Lab Usage System (ePLUS), collaborating with Principal Investigators (PIs) to identify laboratory space for research purposes in indirect cost studies.

This role requires extensive collaboration with diverse university stakeholders, regular engagement with internal and external auditors, and the ability to perform ad hoc financial analyses to support cost justification and strategic business decisions. The Senior Space Analyst develops and maintains training documentation and conducts training for over 300 departmental space coordinators on process requirements and cost implications. The position is eligible for an onsite or hybrid work arrangement and reports directly to the Senior Director of Cost and Management Analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the University Space Inventory for all on-campus and off-campus buildings, ensuring compliance with Space Inventory Instructions and OMB Uniform Guidance.
• Utilize the Comprehensive Rate Information System (CRIS) to develop cost pools and allocate costs for indirect cost proposals.
• Serve as the owner and administrator of the electronic PI Lab Usage System (ePLUS), collaborating with Principal Investigators to identify laboratory space used for research in indirect cost studies.
• Annually coordinate and manage the capital building assessment process for building depreciation and land improvements, partnering with multiple university departments and external assessors.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive training documentation and conduct training for over 300 departmental space coordinators on process requirements and cost implications of functional code usage.
• Perform highly analytical, complex finance and control functions, including multi-dimensional reconciliations, financial analyses, budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning.
• Conduct root-cause analysis, draw conclusions, and propose solutions for strategic and departmental issues.
• Develop complex financial reports, design and run ad hoc reports, and prepare or review complex transactions to support university resource stewardship.
• Provide consultation to senior leadership to interpret financial results and support decision-making.
• Design and implement effective systems of internal controls, ensuring compliance with financial processes, policies, and procedures.
• Lead multiple complex, high-visibility process innovation projects and champion strategic initiatives with significant impact.
• Analyze problems in business-critical systems, identify risks and solutions, and act as the business owner of projects.
• Represent the organization to client groups and leaders as a subject matter expert on complex technical and financial matters.
• Assess client and business needs, and formulate recommendations to determine approaches for managing and completing processes.
• May supervise, train, coach, and review the work of other staff as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and eight years of relevant experience or a combination of education and relevant experience.
• Expert proficiency in business applications, such as the Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel.
• Advanced knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and financial systems.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Advanced professional communication skills, including the ability to prepare materials and effectively communicate with internal and external audiences, client groups, and all levels of management.
• Advanced project management skills and ability to lead large multi-functional teams.
• Mastery of complex financial concepts and the ability to communicate and defend analytical findings to inform management decisions, withstand audit scrutiny, and support negotiations.
• Strong project management, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Compliance-oriented mindset with rigorous documentation practices.
• Ability to analyze large datasets and manage time effectively.
• Comprehensive knowledge of relevant regulations and their cost study implications.

Pay

The expected pay range for this position is $165,000 to $175,000 per annum. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

Stanford University provides a comprehensive rewards package, including extensive benefits and rewards for employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process. More information is available on the Cardinal at Work website.