Budget Manager

Accountabilities:

• Lead, plan, monitor, and support the annual operating and capital budgeting process across research, education, and central research and academic business lines.

• Collect, validate, process, and maintain budget data to ensure alignment with approved financial plans and organizational objectives.

• Develop and maintain P&Ls, budget-status reports, instructional-level reports, financial statements, projections, and other management reporting.

• Lead the monthly budget variance analysis process, investigate significant variances, identify emerging financial trends, and recommend corrective actions.

• Reforecast financial performance based on changing business conditions, assumptions, commitments, and operational scenarios.

• Partner with Finance Officers, accounting teams, Directors, administrators, and financial managers to resolve variances, reconcile accounts, and ensure financial targets are achieved.

• Prepare financial forecasts incorporating multiple variables and scenarios, while ensuring compliance with budget policies, compensation plans, and established financial controls.

• Present financial findings, analysis, risks, forecasts, and recommendations to executive leaders, directors, administrators, and other stakeholders through clear written and verbal communication.

• Prepare cost-benefit analyses, risk assessments, new-program pro formas, special financial reports, and other analyses requested by leadership.

• Review and approve requisitions, journal entries, expenditure requests, and expense budgets in accordance with established policies and controls.

• Track and manage special project and initiative funding, ensuring expenditures are appropriately accounted for and aligned with approved objectives.

• Collaborate with stakeholders to define and allocate strategic resources and provide financial leadership throughout annual planning and ongoing operations.

• Serve as a key finance contact for research and education departments, responding to questions, requests, and financial planning needs.

• Mentor and support finance employees by providing direction, training, feedback, development opportunities, and workload prioritization.

• Establish priorities, assign work, monitor progress, and ensure team deliverables are completed accurately and within established deadlines.

• Contribute to improvements in financial processes, methodologies, productivity, reporting, and overall operational effectiveness.

• Handle sensitive financial information with a high degree of confidentiality and ensure information is shared only with appropriate parties.

• Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree plus at least 18 credit hours in accounting and/or finance from an accredited college or university.

• At least 6 years of experience in financial, budget, or payroll analysis, with substantial experience managing complex financial information and multiple priorities.

• At least 1 year of supervisory or management experience.

• An MBA, Master’s degree in Finance, or CPA certification may substitute for up to 2 years of required experience.

• Strong proficiency with computers, databases, spreadsheets, and financial applications, including Excel, Oracle, Access, Word, and PowerPoint.

• Demonstrated ability to mentor, coach, and develop employees while aligning team activities with organizational goals.

• Strong organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to prioritize and coordinate multiple initiatives simultaneously with limited supervision.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret financial performance, investigate variances, develop forecasts, and provide actionable recommendations.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and diplomatically to stakeholders at different organizational levels.

• Ability to remain professional and effective in high-pressure situations and when managing competing demands or challenging interactions.

• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to build productive working relationships across finance, operations, leadership, and administrative teams.

• Experience with Oracle AIS is preferred.

• Experience with Cognos TM1 and business intelligence tools is preferred.

• Experience with central funding, allocations, and state funding is advantageous.

• Familiarity with institutional policies, procedures, and financial governance is a plus.

• Ability to perform the essential responsibilities of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Benefits:

• Salary: $93,392–$149,156.80 per year, with the final offer based on factors including experience, education, and internal equity.

• Remote work: Fully remote position with a collaborative environment supported through email, Teams, calls, and other digital communication tools.

• Professional growth: Opportunity to contribute to complex financial planning and strategic initiatives across research and education operations.

• Leadership experience: Opportunity to mentor and develop finance professionals while helping shape financial processes and operational practices.

• Mission-driven environment: Work within a public academic health center combining healthcare, research, and education.

• Career development: Exposure to complex financial operations, strategic resource allocation, special initiatives, forecasting, and institutional planning.

• Collaborative workplace: Partner with senior leaders, finance professionals, administrators, and operational teams across a large and complex organization.

• Meaningful impact: Contribute to financial decisions that support research, education, healthcare, and broader organizational priorities.