Essential Functions Budget Planning & Development:
- Lead the development and management of the Academic Affairs budget, including planning, forecasting, and allocating resources across academic departments and programs.
- Collaborate with the Provost, Associate Provosts, Deans, and administrative staff of Academic Affairs and the university-level budget office to develop annual budgets for academic units aligned with strategic goals and priorities.
- Analyze historical financial data, enrollment trends, and revenue streams to guide budgeting decisions.
Financial Monitoring & Reporting:
- Monitor and analyze budget performance, ensuring expenditures are aligned with budget allocations and identifying variances.
- Prepare detailed financial reports, forecasts, and variance analyses for senior leadership, including the Provost, Associate Provosts, and Deans.
- Develop multi-year financial models to support long-term academic planning.
Expense Control & Compliance:
- Ensure compliance with university policies, state/federal regulations, and grant requirements in all budget-related activities.
- Review and approve expenditures, ensuring that spending is within approved budget limits and aligned with institutional goals.
- Advise academic leadership on cost control measures, efficiency improvements, and financial best practices.
Strategic Planning & Support:
- Provide financial support to strategic initiatives and academic projects, including new program development, faculty hiring plans, and facility enhancements.
- Assist in the preparation of financial justifications for new academic initiatives, grants, and capital projects.
- Support the Office of the Provost in making data-driven decisions that promote financial sustainability and academic excellence.
Collaboration & Communication:
- Serve as a liaison between the Academic Affairs office, the university-level budget and finance offices, and other key stakeholders to ensure clear communication and alignment on budgetary matters.
- Provide training and guidance to academic departments on budgeting processes, financial policies, and use of financial management systems.
- Lead regular budget review meetings with academic departments and present financial updates to leadership.
System Management:
- Maintain and optimize financial management systems, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of budget data entry, tracking, and reporting.
- Work with the ITS department and the University Budget department to ensure that budgeting tools and reports meet the evolving needs of Academic Affairs.
Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field. Minimum of 5 years of experience in financial management, budgeting, or accounting. Demonstrated experience managing complex budgets and working with multiple stakeholders. Familiarity with financial reporting software and enterprise resource planning ( ERP ) systems used in higher education. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret financial data and provide actionable insights. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with faculty, administrators, and external partners. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other financial modeling tools. Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Qualifications A master's degree from an accredited institution or CPA certification is preferred. Experience in higher ed. Experience in academic financial management, including faculty salaries, grants, and capital projects. Knowledge of higher education policies, including compliance requirements for state and federal funding. Familiarity with budgeting software such as Banner, Oracle, or Workday.
Work Hours Standard workday - 8am-4:30pm. Some overtime when needed.Compensation and Benefits