Associate Provost and University Budget Director

The Associate Provost and University Budget Director (AP, Budget Director) reports directly to the Provost and works closely with the President, Chief Financial Officer, committees of the Board of Trustees, School and Divisional Deans, Associate Deans, and Center, Institute, and administrative unit Business Officers to ensure accurate budgets, strong performance, and a full understanding of central expenditures and standards. The successful candidate will be an innovative thought leader in budgeting and will provide senior leadership advice and recommendations with regard to program-based, zero-based, and other budgeting models relevant to a nonprofit environment. This position is a strategic and collaborative leader with substantial financial management experience and a demonstrated ability to work well in a complex, decentralized environment, committed to using their expertise to advance the University’s mission and highest priorities. The AP, Budget Director must be able to manage a high-performing team and instill a culture of excellence and accountability in budgeting and financial operations both within the Budget Office and in the larger University community. The University will be implementing a new financial ERP system in the next three years, which will be accompanied by a re-implementation of the current budget system to a new budget and planning application. This role will have expertise in using technology implementation to drive process improvement and provide functional leadership during this critical initiative.

 

Responsibilities:

• Advise University leadership on central resource allocation issues
• Coordinate and compile the University’s annual operating budget
• Review Divisional, School, Center/Institute, and administrative unit budget submissions by analyzing financial reports and comparing actual operating results to the projected budget for revenues and expenditures
• Prepare and manage the University’s consolidated annual operating budget, and multi-year financial plan
• Compile and maintain data and reports required by administrators, officers, the Board of Trustees, and external agencies
• Collaborate with the Financial Planning and Analysis team to establish five-year budget planning parameters and administrating the allocated cost algorithms
• Collaborate with Divisional, School and administrative offices to ensure they have the necessary tools to monitor decisions against budget and to address budgetary issues throughout the year
• Establish budget processes and procedures for compiling, monitoring, and analyzing the University’s consolidated annual operating and capital budgets and for comparing actual performance to budget
• Perform complex analyses of financial data and project revenues and expenditures
• Develop, recommend, and implement strategies to address, proactively, issues or problems with financial results and ensure balanced fiscal operations
• Monitor the monthly performance to identify areas of positive and negative trends
• Develop short- and long-term financial plans in accordance with University academic priorities and business objectives
• Coordinate the communication of the University’s financial forecast and budget to University Schools, Divisions, and departments
• Prepare management reports and budgets to facilitate communication with internal offices and departments, external constituencies, and the broader University community
• Direct and manage an excellent and expert staff, including selecting, training, developing, and reviewing performance
• Oversee the staff’s preparation of studies to determine the financial aspects of current and proposed projects, plans, and other business operations
• Establish budget targets for each area of the University in concert with the Provost
• Participate actively in senior University internal committees and bodies as may be required or appropriate
• Remain current on information and technology affecting the Budget Office to increase innovation and ensure compliance.

 

Competencies:

• Specific experience using budget and planning software to drive process improvement coupled with the ability to provide senior executive functional leadership during such a process
• Proven track record of success as a leader and manager of a wide range of people, functions, and activities in a large, complex, and decentralized institution/organization
• Proven track-record of success in serving as a strategic advisor and thought partner to executive and senior leadership, including to a President/CEO and a Board of Trustees
• Build strong relationships across the enterprise and work effectively with a wide range of people, demonstrating a consultative demeanor to build rapport, establish credibility, and communicate effectively
• Excellent analytical skills, bringing the ability to examine challenges creatively and propose innovative and effective solutions
• Outstanding strategic, conceptual, and negotiation skills
• Ability to recruit top-quality talent and to mentor and develop an outstanding team
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, both written and oral, including the ability to simplify complex information

 

 

Additional Requirements​​

Education, Experience, or Certifications:

Education:

• Advanced degree required

 

Experience:

• Ten years of senior financial administrative experience required, with a significant portion in higher education or a similarly decentralized organization
• Experience working in higher education and in a high-level executive setting preferred

 

Required Documents:

• Resume/CV
• Cover letter
• Reference Contact Information (3)