Academic Services Budget Director

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

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ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Business Operational Analytics
• Partners with Vice Presidents, Vice Provosts and their teams to understand business and resource needs related to budgets, staffing levels, space, and technology in support of academics, student life, and research.
• Leads and participates in planning, policy development, process improvement, and problem solving related to increasing efficiencies within the Academic Center.
• Partners with Deans and academic leaders to implement new processes, resources, and workflows.
• Works with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
• Identifies opportunities for increased efficiency in systems and procedures. Creates, updates, and maintains standard operating procedures.
• Identifies potential operational risks and develops strategies to mitigate them to ensure business continuity.
• Capital Budget Management
• Compiles capital project requests and supporting materials to ensure conformance and highlights relevant financial items and business case for review.
• Prepares, analyzes, and presents monthly capital financial summary to Deans and academic leaders, highlighting relevant financial trends and impacts.
• Provides budget forecasting for large projects, in partnership with key stakeholders such as Facilities, Planning, and Project Management teams.
• Ensures budgets assigned are met and analysis is translated into actionable insight and shared in timely ways to optimize performance.
• In partnership with school Financial Officers, and members of the Academic Finance Administration and Planning team, assists with or prepares budget projections for Academic Center.
• Continuously evaluates and improves the budget process to streamline workflows, enhance efficiency, and ensure accuracy and integrity of budget data.
• Collaborates with the Office of Financial Analysis and Planning to identify and implement best practices, technology solutions, and process improvements to optimize the budget process.
• Academic Services Management
• Analyzes current academic service support model and makes recommendations for updates and changes. Using knowledge about the academic service structure as well as operational efficiency and best practice, identifies similar and/or overlapping services provided to students and faculty, and develops a model that allows overlaps to be continually identified, documented, and reviewed for effectiveness by deans, vice provosts, vice presidents, and other leaders as appropriate.
• Partners with key stakeholders to determine the appropriate levels of services needed, and ensures effective delivery of services, reviewing regularly.
• Partners with the Office of Financial Analysis and Planning to assign and monitor service cost allocations and cost pools with regular communication to divisions.
• Compiles the annual student fee schedule and monitors the associated services funded by fees.
• Financial Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting
• Collects and analyzes financial data and develops reports to aid in the identification of emerging operational improvement opportunities.
• Prepares responses to internal requests relative to finance data, policy, regulations, procedures and other information.
• Drafts other critical communications for external and internal audiences, as needed.
• Gathers and analyzes endowment data for the budgeting, forecasting and optimization.
• Reviews financial data and trends for accuracy and reasonableness.
• Provides decision support to academic leaders through analyses of financial and operational data.
• Identifies patterns, trends, and opportunities for financial optimization, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Provides analytical support to propose and refine budgets. Analyzes, reviews, and reports on operating and capital accounts.
• Budget Guidance and Training
• Guides and trains new and/or existing staff or leaders accountable for budgets or with budget responsibility, in understanding budgets, budget systems, restrictions, processes, policies and procedures, and uses of capital and discretionary balances.
• Provides guidance to other staff as needed on budgetary and financial operations.
• Ensures consistency and transparency in budget practices across the Academic Center.
• Builds effective relationships and partnerships that support the university’s academic budget goals.
• Provides financial expertise and guidance to financial officers in budget planning, management, and decision-making.
• Provides training and education on budget management concepts, tools, and practices to department and school finance officers.
• Works with the Sr. Associate Vice Provost to develop and deliver workshops and training sessions to enhance financial literacy and budget acumen among academic stakeholders.

Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree; required
• Master's degree preferred
• 5 years of progressively responsible finance and budgeting experience; Required
• Experience in a higher education environment; Required
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience. Required
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders. Required
• Ability to independently manage significantly complex projects. Required
• Ability to analyze, condense, and synthesize information and provide accurate analysis and summaries. Required
• Ability to diplomatically overcome objections and effectively persuade key constituents. Required
• Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills. Strong attention to detail. Required
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and follow established protocols and procedures. Required
• Ability to exercise a high level of professionalism and discretion with respect to confidential and sensitive matters. Required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Ability to quickly and thoughtfully build and maintain relationships. Required.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, Zoom, and Teams. Required.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, financial management, and process optimization. Preferred.
• Knowledge of current trends and challenges in higher education. Preferred.
• Competency in Microsoft Excel, database manipulation and modeling. Required.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) upon hire preferred

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Classes). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.