Career Center

Summary/Objective

Essential Functions

1. Establishes budgetary and financial planning parameters for the university’s biennial operating budget, a five-year capital budget, and a long-term financial model. Oversees four phases of the university’s budget cycle - planning, approval, implementation, and evaluation phases. Working with the University Budget Committee, develops budget formulation guidelines to be presented by the President to the Board of Trustees for approval. Oversees on-going budget performance reviews presented to the Board of Trustees, the President’s Cabinet, deans, and unit budget/financial managers. Works with university executives on meeting budget priorities and funding needs through the year.
2. Participates in the development of the university’s Strategic Plan and implementation efforts. Integrates Strategic Plan objectives and resource allocations to enhance budget transparency and accountability by responsible divisions/units. Monitors Strategic Plan measures and prepares progress reports for the President to present to the Board of Trustees and the university community. Acts as a liaison between units and university administration on budget or other financial issues.
3. Provides counsel and guidance to the CFO/VP and Treasurer and University leadership on the current and future financial conditions of the university. Directs financial and market analyses on a variety of issues impacting the University, including academic policy decisions, new program proposals, innovative and emerging issues in higher education, benchmark study, key performance metrics, and regulation changes. Reviews university policies and procedures and recommends exceptions to policy to university leadership.
4. Designs and delivers multi-tiered budget training and other materials which facilitate the understanding of the university’s budget and budgeting processes for the following stakeholders: University Budget Committee (which changes membership bi-annually) and ad hoc budget related working groups and committees, Vice Presidents, budget managers and others who are involved in budget management. Leads the university’s Budget and Financial Management Certificate Program for unit budget and financial leaders across the university.
5. Manages and develops a team of directors, including hiring, training, coaching, supervising, and conducting performance management by using HR processes and tools to achieve optimal performance. Motivate the team by encouraging innovations and implementing staff professional development and training programs.

Supervisory Responsibility

• This position reports directly to the CFO, Vice President and Treasurer and interacts with the President’s Cabinet, deans, and senior administrators of the university.
• The position provides guidance in policies, procedures, and skills training to enhance accountability and high performance among budget/financial managers across campus.
• Accountable for a biennial operating budget of $1.7 billion; $900 million annual operating budget; a five-year capital budget; and a multi-year budget model.
• Conducts presentations to university executives, deans, and budget/financial managers on the university budget, budget policy, planning guidelines, and financial management training.
• This position represents the university to external groups, including officials of the higher education and business communities in the U.S. and abroad, by providing expertise in institutional strategic and resource planning, new business development, budget and financial management practices, and process improvement.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Full Time, 35 hours/week.
• Division Leader B.
• Exempt. 

Salary Range

• Commensurate with experience.

Required Education and Experience

• An advanced degree in business, finance, or related field or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• A minimum of ten years of progressively comprehensive budget and financial planning leadership experience and responsibility within a large, complex environment.
• Experience in higher education administration is strongly preferred.
• Experience in strategic planning and resource allocations at the institution level.
• Ability to develop budget policy and align priorities with financial resources.
• Proven-track record of developing operating and capital budget models, financial planning and forecasting.
• Excellent managerial, critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to interact with the President’s Cabinet, deans, directors and department heads.
• Proficient knowledge and experience in enterprise systems, including administrative/financial systems, database skills, Microsoft suite, and business intelligence tools.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on the successful completion of a background check.
• To ensure the health and safety of our community AU requires COVID-19 vaccinations for faculty and staff. Click here to learn more about our health and safety directive.