The Executive Director of Budget reports to the Chief Financial Officer and is a member of the Fiscal Office Leadership Team at Excelsior University. The Executive Director's primary responsibilities include:
- Developing the unit level and aggregate level budgets for the University
- Monitoring adherence to the approved budget
- Analyzing budgetary data, budgetary requests, and interpreting and applying budget guidelines
- Work with the Analytics and Data Science team to complete financial analyses of University results and needs.
This is a full-time hybrid role with a minimum of two required days at Excelsior's home office of 7 Columbia Circle, Albany NY with the remainder of the days worked from home. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Designs and implements effective budgeting policies and procedures. Coordinates the annual budget planning process for operating and capital budgets, in conjunction with senior leadership. Develops and maintains a budget monitoring process; provides to CFO and works with leadership as needed. Prepares ad hoc financial projections to accompany a wide range of business plans related to academic and administrative initiatives. Develops complex financial analyses and reports; develops and maintains the formal and informal forecasts; and conducts retrospective and prospective financial reviews of program plans. Identifies variances between actual and budgeted financial results at the end of each reporting period and suggests revenue and spending improvements that increase results. Provides outreach and support to all levels of university staff and leadership on budget development, financial analysis, and support for effective ongoing unit budget management. Coordinates with executive leadership on university strategic goals and objectives to assist in aligning the budget in support of the overall goals and priorities of the University. In partnership with other Fiscal Office leadership team, develops and maintains a robust financial reporting framework for the University and its operating units that meets the needs of the University, including executive leadership and academic and administrative departmental leaders. Provides training to the unit budget managers and University staff on a variety of topics including forecasting, budget development, and financial forums. Leads Budget Group sessions to inform and assist University budget leaders and managers understand and successfully manage their budgets. Keeps up to date on best practices in higher education budgeting, data analysis, and technology, including AI, to increase innovation in budget development and management. Partners with CFO and HR to plan for position control and maintain the university personnel budget and vacancy; prepares agenda and provides minutes for each meeting. Works on a variety of university-wide initiatives as the fiscal representative to provide input on procedural efforts, operational efficiencies and effectiveness, budgetary impacts, and achievement of strategic goals and objectives. Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Bachelor's degree in a business, finance, accounting, or related field or equivalent work experience is required. An MBA and/or CPA preferred.
- 3-5 years budgeting experience
- Strong analytical skills and familiarity with forecasting methods and data analysis.
- Five years of progressively responsible, professional experience related to budgets, financial analysis, accounting, reporting and/or planning in a complex educational or other closely related organization is required. Experience managing finance and budget function in a medium- or large-size company/organization is preferred.
- Knowledge of finance and budgeting principles and practices (including accounting), as well as analytical methods. Previous experience in a higher education institution is preferred.
- Demonstrated skill in supervising staff, coordinating activities with other internal departments, analyzing, and interpreting complex financial and accounting information and preparing a variety of complex reports for internal use.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively convey complex data to a wide array of audience.
- Demonstrated leadership ability with a proven record of success in working with all levels of leadership and staff in a rapidly changing and complex organization.
- Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills.
- Hands-on experience with accounting software and statistical packages
The hiring salary range for this position is $110,000.00 - $125,000.00. The hiring salary range above represents the University's good faith estimate at the time of posting.