Planning & Control Officer - Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

The Planning and Control Officer (P&CO), reports to the Head of Planning Control under Business Operations, the Chief Financial Officer and provides budget planning & financial management to the various organizations within PPPL. 

Predominantly, the P&CO provides:

• Business expertise, strategic guidance, support, and leadership to the organizations they’re assigned to within PPPL.
• Budget and financial analysis support to the PPPL CFO along with timely and accurate business forecasts to the PPPL Budget Office for Laboratory Level funding, cost estimates, estimation of overhead, updates, and institutional planning The P&CO applies extensive and diversified knowledge of Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) and practices, Project Control management principles and practices relevant to budgets, administration, and management to support laboratory programs and projects in meeting technical, cost and schedule objectives. 

The P&CO is a self-starter who works to ensure that they have developed and continue to maintain a thorough knowledge of compliance with financial, costing, and procedural requirements at PPPL and ensure that these requirements are met at the program level through department policies and procedures. The P&CO identifies financial, compliance-related, or other problems/issues within the organization(s) they are assigned to that impact a project or respective assigned area’s ability to meet goals and/or milestones and brings these issues to the attention of the respective Associate Laboratory Director (ALD)/Department Head and works within these teams to develop recommendations for remediation.

A proud U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratory managed by Princeton University, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is a longstanding leader in the science and innovation behind the development of fusion energy — a clean, safe, and virtually limitless energy source. With an eye on the future and in response to national priorities, PPPL also has begun a strategic shift from a singular focus on fusion energy to a multi-focus approach that includes microelectronics, quantum information science, and sustainability science. Whether it be through science, engineering, technology or professional services, every team member has an opportunity to make their mark on our world. PPPL aims to attract and support people with a rich variety of backgrounds, interests, experiences, and cultural viewpoints. We are committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility and believe that each member of our team contributes to our scientific mission in their own unique way. Come join us!

Core Duties

• Act as the Directorate/Department(s) key interface to other CFO organizations, including Accounting, Budget, Strategic Business Planning and Analysis, working to more integrate and streamline business processes with the Directorate/Department(s) staff.
• Serve as the Directorate/Department(s) expert for financial matters, ensuring management and reporting of costs are in compliance with all contractual requirements, federal regulations, and DOE orders and directorate employees understand their financial management responsibilities.
• Provide advice and strategic counsel to the assigned ALD/DH regarding the financial status of the organization(s) and/or project(s) within the respective Directorate/Department(s).
• Prepare data to support financial planning and reporting activities at the Directorate/Department(s) and/or Laboratory level.
• Support the financial performance of the Directorate/Department(s) through insightful reporting and analysis (KPIs, other metrics). 
• Help PPPL researchers & engineers to plan and manage their staffing and budgets.
• Participate in Laboratory budget exercises that monitor the status and provide valuable input to Laboratory management for timely decision making. 
• Partner with ALD/DH to support strategic goals and the multi-year Directorate/Department(s) business plans, linking financial planning and execution to research strategy.  
• • Serve as a Liaison for the development of the requirements for staffing, facilities and capital equipment. 
  • Develop and manage long-range forecasts, intermediate objectives and key performance indicators to measure progress toward strategic goal achievement.
• Support the Laboratory’s annual budget submission process within the assigned Directorate(s) including the development of financial plans and submission of Field Work Proposals.
• Support the preparation of financial plans for annual budget briefings.
• Provide consolidated financial reporting and analysis to support business decisions and activities for the assigned Directorate/Department(s) and the Laboratory.
• Prepare cost and detailed analyses for Directorate/Department management showing cost and schedule trends, variances, and milestone status. 
• Support preparation of financial documentation for DOE-led reviews of programs, projects and operating facilities within the assigned Directorate(s).
• Prepare financial data in response to inquiries by the DOE Site Office, DOE Program Office(s), OMB, and/or Congress.
• Manage current year funding allocations and prepare, maintain, and implement current year cost plans for the assigned Directorate/Department(s).
• Serve as a Liaison between the assigned Directorate/Department(s) to ensure Procurement needs, including processing of requisitions, change orders, contract administration, and invoice approval, for the Directorate(s) supported are being addressed.
• Prepare and purchase requisitions and other financial documents to ensure reasonableness, allocability, and allowability of expenses to program and project objectives and approve within designated signature authority.
• Advise the respective ALD/DHs for the assigned Directorate/Department(s) on compliance with PPPL’s Prime Contract, DOE Orders, government regulation, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).
• Maintain current knowledge of institutional compliance requirements (financial and administrative) by understanding all the applicable DOE Orders and regulations that flow-down to the programs and projects. 
• Ensure that the compliance requirements are met at the program level through oversight and review of Directorate(s)/Department(s) policies and procedures.
• Review travel requests and expense reports sent through Concur for reasonableness, allocability to the accounts charged, and compliance with PPPL’s travel policy. 
• Develop and/or participate in the development of financial-related policies and procedures, and/or delivering financial-related training to staff, when needed.
• Manage or participate in special projects, as requested by the ALDs, DHs, or the CFO.

Education and Experience

• Relevant Bachelor’s Degree (Major in Accounting, Finance, Business, Math or Engineering preferred) and 5 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience, an
  advanced degree a plus.  
• Work experience that demonstrates a knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Variance Analysis and Project Reporting, including knowledge of budget
  planning, procurement process, A/P, A/R, Payroll, travel, etc.
• Must be able to interact with staff and external stakeholders at all levels in a complex, and sometimes high-pressure environment, remaining diplomatic, proactive, resourceful and
  efficient.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent organization, budgeting, verbal, interpersonal, and communication skills. 
• Proven problem-solving and negotiation skills. Ability to collaborate with individuals at all levels of the organization. 
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and direct personnel with diverse skills, work styles and values.
• Proven ability to work in a team/workgroup environment and lead a team/workgroup.
• Demonstrated skill in dealing with legal and ethical management issues and practices.
• Strong business acumen and financial savvy.
• Ability to develop, explain, and present financial data (orally and written form) in a concise format to non-financial stakeholders routinely.
• Strong analytical, communication, and coaching skills required to listen, coach, solve problems, and manage conflicts in dynamic and sometimes stressful environments.
• Strong experience with financial planning and business systems.
• Ability to mine data from various business systems and demonstrate actionable recommendations.
• Previous management, budget development and/or significant leadership in an individual contributor role required.
• Must be able to work effectively under pressure, while meeting deadlines and balancing multiple priorities.
• Strong computer and business solutions software skills. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Google Mail; Google Docs
• A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a Department of Energy Laboratory is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of the issues and best practices related to GAAP, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), and the DOE Financial
  Management Handbook. 
• Knowledge with cost accounting practices and standards relative to work performed under government funded contracts.
• Experience with Oracle ERP is highly desired.
• Strong leadership ability, people skills and emotional intelligence with requisite financial planning skills and experience.
• Knowledge of project management principles and techniques.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from participation in certain foreign government talent recruitment programs. All PPPL employees are required to disclose any participation in a foreign government talent recruitment program and may be required to withdraw from such programs to remain employed under the DOE Contract.