Irene Oliver
Senior Financial Analyst
Financial Operations, Financial Services Department
I really appreciate that Lincoln Laboratory offers many opportunities for a business professional. Five years ago, I started as a staff accountant in the Financial Accounting group. At that time, I was responsible for month-end closing activities, prime contract billing, and financial reporting. Now I am a senior financial analyst in the Financial Operations group, primarily responsible for all the Laboratory's prime contract funding.
My supervisors have always encouraged me to explore new opportunities. While working as a staff accountant, I participated in a year-long Professional Development Initiative run by the MIT Office of the Vice President for Finance. Through this project, I had the chance to meet and interact with colleagues throughout MIT. I learned how the Institute is structured and how it operates. I also gained a better understanding of how close the relationship is between the MIT campus and Lincoln Laboratory.
Right now, I'm a member of the Business Process Improvement Research Team. The goal of the BPI project is to streamline and standardize business processes Laboratory-wide and to design and develop new tools to support both the business and technical communities. Participating on this team has been a welcomed learning experience as well as a chance to work with other service departments and technical divisions to understand the Lab's business needs and to accomplish a larger, Lab-wide goal.
Being part of a service department gives me a great deal of pride because my position supports the Lab's mission. Currently, I serve as the primary liaison to ESC [Electronic Systems Center] for the obligation of funds on the prime contract for all sponsored research programs. I'm always conscious of the fact that research will be negatively impacted if funds aren't placed on contract in a timely, accurate manner. I am also involved in the administrative process of new Laboratory program startups. This responsibility includes the coordination and processing of all required paperwork to allow for review and approval by the Director's Office and ESC. My role is a critical part of this process because new research will be delayed if the startups are not managed effectively. Another aspect of my job is financial reporting. I complete various financial reports for the Director's Office and ESC that assist in decision making at various levels of the management structure and that ensure compliance with our government contract.
Communication and taking action are the keys to my work and where I believe I am most effective. Customer service is of the utmost importance to me. The working relationships I have developed with ESC, senior management, division business managers, group business managers, campus, and a number of government sponsors are particularly important in program initiation and execution.
Another thing I value at the Lab is that professional excellence and collaboration are actively encouraged at all levels. In the five years that I have been here, I have expanded my skill set. One skill that has been a constant in my current job is making presentations at various meetings. I have gained more confidence when presenting as I have received positive feedback. And, the mentors I've had at the Lab have been valuable in showing how to collaborate effectively.
The openness of the Laboratory is very different from the atmosphere at my previous employer, a financial institution. There, senior management was always behind closed doors and not visible to employees involved in day-to-day operations. At the Lab, senior management is seen on a weekly if not daily basis. As a result, there is more a personable feeling here. I also like that the Lab recognizes that a balance between work and personal life is essential. As a new mother, I appreciate the telecommuting option that is offered to assist in maintaining this balance, and having an onsite Health & Wellness Center is a perfect convenience.
Working for and with the technical divisions on their funding matters is a big part of why I enjoy what I do, and the professional opportunities offered to me have put me on the path to furthering my career.
I am Irene Oliver. I am Lincoln Laboratory.
