Essential Duties - Develops, implements, and/or evaluates directly, or in conjunction with others, complex data analyses that support resource and financial planning.
- Facilitates the development of mid and long range predictive enrollment, space, staffing, and financial models that support strategic planning efforts and executive decision-making.
- Compares data from a variety of sources (e.g., personnel, payroll, student fees, student census, general ledger) to ensure accuracy using judgment, and relying on knowledge of subject material.
- Gathers information; identifies analysis methodologies; and prepares, develops, and submits written and graphic results of the evaluation of data.
- Resolves issues related to the development of recommendations based on research, analysis and evaluation of data pertaining to specific projects, conditions or proposals that require the applications of expert and highly specialized knowledge, and recommends resolution of problems.
- Leads annual benchmarking initiatives (e.g., NACUBO, Academic Benchmarking Consortium, 50-state tuition report), leveraging the data to guide policy decisions and identify opportunities for cost efficiencies.
- Conducts return on investment analysis of existing programs.
- Assesses the economic viability of proposed programs or projects.
- Performs funds flow analysis and econometric modeling.
- Facilitates contingency planning for financial down-turn scenarios.
- Creates and maintains an executive-level dashboard (includes financial, student, and human resources data) to be reviewed by senior leadership on a quarterly basis.
- Analyzes the financial impact of workforce trends and/or human resources policy changes; makes recommendations based on findings.
- Facilitates the development and operation of a long-range all-funds financial forecast tool to guide university-wide strategic decisions and investments.
- Develops unit-level planning tools (e.g., tool for department chair to assess the financial impact of a new academic program) in collaboration with the Provost’s Office.
- Supports preparation of strategic planning documents; assists in analyzing university and campus strategic initiatives, goals, objectives, and performance outcomes.
- Supports analysis of complex proposals led by senior departmental staff.
- Identifies and develops, where appropriate, new technology to enhance decision making; understands the impact of technological change on the organization.
- Participates in periodic upgrades and restructuring of enterprise systems, supporting definition and development of reporting requirements.
- Collaborates with Director, Institutional Analysis in the Office of the University Provost to prepare analyses as required.
- Represents the university on internal and external committees involved in a variety of institutional issues.
- Supervises and oversees work teams and/or staff; coaches and provides feedback to develop knowledge, skills and abilities of staff engaging in data analysis.
- Performs other duties upon request.
Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in a related field and seven (7) years of experience in financial or budget analysis or strategic planning; OR, any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been achieved. Desired Qualifications - Evidence of a Master's degree in related field, such as Business Administration, Business Analytics, Data Science, Public Policy/Administration, Finance, Economics, or Higher Education Administration.
- Ten (10) or more years of relevant work experience, preferably in higher education.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: - Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and practices in budgeting, strategic planning, information analysis, forecasting, reporting, and assessment.
- Knowledge of strategic and financial planning/modeling principles, methods, and practices.
- Ability to develop forecast and tracking models that integrate disparate statistical and financial information.
- Ability to perform analysis of financial forecasts, budgets, and econometric trends and of the factors/items therein.
- Ability to evaluate a variety of fiscal policy, economic, or political factors affecting strategic planning and budgeting needs, problems, and plans.
- Ability to effectively synthesize large amounts of complex detailed materials for presentation and review to varying audiences.
- Ability to identify appropriate data sources, extract and manipulate data from multiple and diverse database sources by designing, refining, and running complex data queries.
- Experience in using effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including the ability to speak and write with clarity and precision to obtain and convey information related to job responsibilities; comfortable in regular interactions with mid- level to senior-level administrators of the university.
- Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
- Cultural competency skills to effectively engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Intermediate to advanced planning and organizational skills, including the ability to successfully manage multiple, complex projects on deadline, often working with interruptions, a changing workflow, and potentially competing priorities.
- Knowledge of decision tools for budgetary analysis, such as weighted score tables, decision trees, cost-benefit analysis, activity-based costing, and sensitivity analysis.
- Ability to work independently on routine tasks and with limited, but appropriate, direction on more complex matters.
- Ability to research, analyze, interpret, explain, and apply policies, rules, and procedures appropriately; ability to determine compliance with existing policies and established guidelines.
- Ability to take initiative, demonstrate resourcefulness, and display a sense of urgency in fulfilling commitments.
- Experience in taking personal accountability for achieving results.
- Experience in promoting innovative thinking by bringing different perspectives and approaches together, combining them in creative ways to solve problems.
- Experience in delivering a high-quality work product, free of material error, by showing concern for all aspects of the job with a high attention to detail.
- Ability to build effective working relationships and build trust by communicating in an open manner, and following through on commitments.
- Experience in handling conflict and difficult situations in a professional way, working toward consensus.
- Ability to accept new ways of doing things.
- Experience in accurately following established procedures for completing work tasks.
- Ability to offer customer service by actively listening, and validating others’ viewpoints. Ability to respect the confidentiality of others.
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