REBECCA REID
Somerville,MA
Summary
Experienced financial leader with a strong background in financial management, including 10 years of expertise and 7 years at MIT Media Lab. Skilled in managing complex portfolios, collaborating effectively within teams, and developing financial tools to support decision-making by principal investigators. A track record of success in driving data-informed decisions and operational efficiency. Equipped with a strong focus on compliance and navigating institutional complexities, providing strategic guidance to faculty.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Financial Officer
MIT Media Laboratory
08.2021 - Current
- Completed pre-award administration of grants/contracts including federal and nonfederal/foundation sponsors including complex, multi-departmental proposals with under recovery and cost-sharing
- Managed portfolios for 8 research groups by providing quarterly reporting and analysis and monthly projections and supporting complex billing
- Supervised financial activities related to the daily financial operation of the Media Lab and compliance
- Primary Authorizer for Media Lab/ MAS; maintained the Roles database for the lab; updated for new hires, transitions, and terminations
- Oversaw, monitored training for, and issued all credit cards for the Media Lab (Travel and Pro card)
- Provided sponsor and award-specific training on financial and reporting requirements
- Tracked and monitored the financial performance of grants and contracts to ensure compliance with MIT and sponsor policies including federal and non-federal/foundation awards
- Tracked and reviewed all post-award transactions and activities including sponsor reporting, cost-sharing, sub award management, award closeout, and personnel distributions
- Reviewed and developed financial processes to maximize for efficiency and identified opportunities for streamlining
- Developed and improved upon existing reporting, tools, templates, and resource materials and created documentation of processes and procedures including areas of Compliance, Roles Authorizations, Fellowship management, and the FAII responsibilities and processes
- Oversaw and collaborated with Media Arts and Sciences for RA appointment entry into the GAP system each term (Fall, Summer, Spring)
- Managed Financial Assistant II through 2022
- Lead monthly compliance review through 2022
- Developed a weekly fiscal officer meeting in Media to touch base and develop norms on the team; 1x/month longer discussion on processes and issue areas
- Participated in Mentor/Mentee program 2021-2023
- Prepared on-boarding resources for new research leads and faculty and on-boarded for new research lead in 2023 and new design faculty in 2024
- Prepared and led two 'Financial Office Hours' for support staff
- Established budgetary benchmarks and formulated financial management strategies by researching operating and historical financial records.
Assistant Financial Officer
MIT Media Laboratory
06.2019 - 07.2021
- Managed Financial Assistant II
- Managed portfolios for 8 research groups by providing monthly reporting, analysis
- Interdepartmentally managed federal prime and sub award
- Provided live projections for 8 research groups
- Provided financial training and onboarding of new staff
- Developed training materials
- Organized financial drop-in hours for staff
- Supported Media Lab cash reconciliation activities
- Primary Authorizer for Media Lab/ MAS; maintained the Roles database for the lab; updated for new hires, transitions, and terminations
- Completed RA appointments each semester and developed RA appointment process
- Completed pre-award administration of grants/contracts including federal and nonfederal/foundation sponsors
- Facilitated conversation about diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Finance operational team, including initiating monthly meetings
Financial Assistant II
MIT Media Laboratory
11.2018 - 05.2019
- Managed portfolios for four research groups including some tasks such as financial review and control (e.g., personnel charges, expense review/approval, and closeouts), preparing projections, and payroll distribution
- Procurement Card Verification
- Approval of trip reports for all of Media Lab
- Approval and review of purchase orders and invoices
- Uploaded budgets and reviewed accounts for outstanding unassigned swept charges
Administrative Assistant II
MIT Media Laboratory
09.2017 - 11.2018
- Managed day-to-day finances for the Conformable Decoders research group including purchasing, reconciliation, filing travel expense reports, working with the Finance team to develop budgets for grant proposals
- Developed organizational system for online filing of lab-related information such as inventory, standard operating procedures, reports, and other documentation
- Created an organized task list and educational materials for onboarding new undergraduate researchers, graduate researchers, post-doctoral associates, and research scientists
- Collaborated with departments such as Finance and Environment, Health, and Safety Office on projects
Assistant Service Manager/Cashier/Cashier Trainer
HEB Grocery
06.2013 - 08.2017
- Managed 300 service partners overall; 40-60 partners day-to-day scheduling and tasks
- Provided excellent customer service during transactions and through carryout services
- Developed and organized in-store training component and store orientation for new cashiers
- Prepared and educated new cashiers on cash-handling policies, service floor ethics at the register, maintenance procedures, and processing transactions
Patient Service Representative/Administrative Assistant
Capital Family Practice
06.2010 - 01.2013
- Served as Patient In-Take assistant processing referrals and outgoing medical records, managing insurance verifications and patient scheduling
- Managed transition from paper records to Electronic Medical Record system
- Created educational patient materials and billing spreadsheets
Education
Bachelor of Environmental Design - Sustainability, Art and Architectural History
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX01.2017
Community Service
- Director Search Committee - Media Lab, 2020, Served as one of two nominated staff representatives on the Director's Search Committee for the Media Lab
- Graduate Resident Advisor - MIT, 2017-2021, A live-in paraprofessional responsible for fostering a supportive, safe, and positive living environment built upon shared community standards and mutual respect in an MIT student living community
- Safewalk Volunteer - MSPCA, 2018-2019, Volunteer at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, specializing in dog-walking and dog behavioral development
Timeline
Financial Officer
MIT Media Laboratory
08.2021 - Current
Assistant Financial Officer
MIT Media Laboratory
06.2019 - 07.2021
Financial Assistant II
MIT Media Laboratory
11.2018 - 05.2019
Administrative Assistant II
MIT Media Laboratory
09.2017 - 11.2018
Assistant Service Manager/Cashier/Cashier Trainer
HEB Grocery
06.2013 - 08.2017
Patient Service Representative/Administrative Assistant
Capital Family Practice
06.2010 - 01.2013
Bachelor of Environmental Design - Sustainability, Art and Architectural History
Texas A&M University
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