DIRECTOR, DECISION SUPPORT AND ANALYST

Director, Decision Support and Analysis

Arizona State University

Office of Planning & Budget

Campus: Tempe

66694BR

Job Description

The Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) is seeking a dynamic individual to join our team. OPB serves as a steward of resources and trusted advisor to University leadership to support decision-making and enable strategy.

Reporting to the Vice President for Budget Planning and Management, the Director, Decision Support and Analysis will lead projects and initiatives designed to inform strategic and operational decisions by ASU leadership in the areas of resource planning, allocation, and management. The Director, Decision Support and Analysis uses a collaborative and consultative approach to working effectively across stakeholder groups to address financial opportunities and challenges for the University.

Salary Range

Depends on Experience

Close Date

03-May-2021

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.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles, concepts, and practices in budgeting, strategic planning, information analysis, forecasting, reporting, and assessment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of strategic and financial planning/modeling principles, methods, and practices.
• Experience in developing forecast and tracking models that integrate disparate statistical and financial information.
• Experience in performing analysis of financial forecasts, budgets, and econometric trends and of the factors/items therein.
• Experience in evaluating a variety of fiscal policy, economic, or political factors affecting strategic planning and budgeting needs, problems, and plans.
• Experience in synthesizing large amounts of complex detailed materials for presentation and review to varying audiences.
• Experience in identifying appropriate data sources, extract and manipulate data from multiple and diverse database sources by designing, refining, and running complex data queries.
• Evidence of effective communication skills to convey information related to job responsibilities; comfortable in regular interactions with mid- level to senior-level administrators of the university.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. 
• Cultural competency skills to effectively engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience in 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.
• Demonstrated knowledge of decision tools for budgetary analysis, such as weighted score tables, decision trees, cost-benefit analysis, activity-based costing, and sensitivity analysis. 
• Experience in working independently on routine tasks and with limited, but appropriate, direction on more complex matters.
• Experience in researching, analyzing, interpreting, explaining, and applying policies, rules, and procedures appropriately; ability to determine compliance with existing policies and established guidelines.
• Experience in taking initiative, demonstrating resourcefulness, and displaying 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.
• Experience in building 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.
• Experience in accepting new ways of doing things.
• Experience in accurately following established procedures for completing work tasks. 
• Experience in offering customer service by actively listening, and validating others’ viewpoints.
• Experience in respecting the confidentiality of others.

Working Environment

• Activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding, and manipulating a computer mouse.
• Required to stand for varying lengths of time and walk moderate distances to perform work.
• Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds.
• Regular activities require ability to quickly change priorities which may include and/or are subject to resolution of conflicts.
• Evidence of effective communication skills to perform essential functions.
• Regular use of standard office equipment including, but not limited to: computer workstation/laptop (keyboard, monitor, mouse), printer, fax, calculator, copier, telephone and associated computer/technology peripherals.

Department Statement

The Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) is responsible for facilitating the development and management of the University’s annual planning and budgeting processes. This includes resource planning, modeling, allocations, tracking, forecasting, and reporting, as well as decision support analysis for unit and enterprise-wide leadership. In addition, OPB handles external reporting requirements and information requests from the State’s Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) and its Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting (OSPB), and the Arizona Board of Regents.

ASU Statement

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 80,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco

Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.

Relocation Assistance – For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/relocation-services.

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

Background Check Statement

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

Fingerprint Check Statement

This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.

Instructions to Apply

Application deadline is 3:00PM Arizona time on the date indicated.

Please include all employment information in month/year format (e.g., 6/88 to 8/94), job title, job duties and name of employer for each position.

Resume should clearly illustrate how prior knowledge and experience meets the Minimum and Desired qualifications of this position.

Cover letter required.

Applicant must be eligible to work in the United States; ASU Office of Planning and Budget will not be a sponsor for this position.

ASU does not pay for travel expenses associated with interviews, unless otherwise indicated.

Only electronic applications are accepted for this position.

IMPORTANT NOTE: What is the meaning of “equivalent combination” in the minimum qualifications? It means one year of higher education or 24 credit hours, is equal to one year of experience. For example, a four year Bachelor’s degree is equal to four years of experience.

To apply please go to www.asu.edu/asujobs/ see Req Id#66694BR or go directly to: https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/home/HomeWithPreLoad?PageType=JobDetails&partnerid=25620&siteid=5494&jobid=4214434#jobDetails=4214434_5494