Associate Director of Budget

Position Overview:
The University of Minnesota is the state’s land-grant university and one of the most prestigious public research universities in the nation. We’re ranked by Forbes as one of the best educational employers in the nation and currently have an extraordinary leadership opportunity within the University Budget Office.

The University of Minnesota seeks an Associate Director of Budget to serve as a system-wide leader responsible for revenue and cost forecasting/planning, budgetary analysis, budget process design and coordination, presentation of budget information, and financial oversight and monitoring of the institution and individual units. This position reports directly to the Vice President & Budget Director.

This position is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota at our Twin Cities campus, but serves all five greater Minnesota campuses and supports the University’s critical financial needs. This position works as a liaison between the Budget Office and the various operating units throughout the University - gaining an understanding of their financial management opportunities, challenges, and practices and representing those interests in broader discussions. Gaining the respect of unit leaders and being viewed as a credible authority within the University is key to the position's success in the role. It also requires an understanding of the goals, policies, and operating procedures of the University in order to arrive at "allowable" or "best-practice" solutions within policy and budgetary constraints. This role balances advocacy for the individual units with work to benefit the University as a whole. It requires independent work, with the responsibility to know when issue elevation is necessary, on a variety of ever-changing complex issues with potentially significant impact on the University's financial health and reputation.

Job Responsibilities:

University of Minnesota’s Annual Operating Budget - 50%

• Direct the strategic development and implementation of the university's annual operating budget and function as a primary expert in the University’s budget model and process.
• Provide guidance to the President, Budget Committee, and other executive-level leaders throughout the development of the University’s annual operating budget, ensuring the systemwide budget aligns with the President’s strategic direction, promotes the short and long-term financial health of the institution, and complies with policy.
• Provide strategic guidance and direction to Vice Presidents, Chancellors, Deans, and other University leaders throughout the budget development process; act as a liaison between the Budget Committee and University leaders; ensure transparency throughout the decision-making process; and provide guidance on system, campus, and college-level implications of budget variables and decisions.
• Provide ongoing direction and guidance to the 30+ Chief Financial Managers across the University of Minnesota system; promote and foster a collaborative team-based culture; provide mentoring and leadership both at the individual and group level; and provide training on all aspects of the budget model, budget process, key budget variables, and other budgetary topics.
• Chair and facilitate budget meetings with Vice Presidents, Chancellors, Deans, Chief Financial Managers, and other University leaders for all 50+ Resource Responsibility Centers – both for the budget development process and, as needed, throughout the year. Coordinate and analyze information from each of the 50+ Resource Responsibility Centers to inform the President’s budget.
• Lead expert for the intersection between the University’s capital budget and operating budget; lead expert to the Budget Committee on the financial assessments for capital projects.
• Lead teams to address opportunities and challenges that emerge during the operating budget process.
• Develop, write, and shape, in coordination with the Budget Director: the annual systemwide budget instructions; President’s Annual Operating budget; other budget documents and guidance.
• Present to the Board of Regents, as needed.

Biennial Budget, State Appropriations, and State Policies – 25%

• Lead the development of the University’s biennial budget and supplemental operating requests to the State of Minnesota; lead teams to facilitate systemwide input sessions, as requested by the President and Budget Committee; write request documentation; and draft and review legislation.
• Fiscal policy expert for the University on state appropriations and related policy.
• Lead expert for: providing guidance to Government Relations on State of Minnesota appropriations; drafting and interpreting state legislation with a fiscal impact on the University; providing guidance to Government Relations and University leadership on how new legislation could impact the University financially.
• Serve as a primary liaison with state officials, building strong relationships and effectively communicating the University's financial needs and priorities.
• Provide expert testimony to state legislative committees on university financial matters.

Special Projects, Enterprise Monitoring, and Reporting - 25%

• Lead the development of proactive financial strategies to address emerging programmatic and budgetary opportunities and challenges at the university level.
• Propose areas of in-depth analysis and/or lead systemwide projects and teams to advance the university’s mission, systemwide strategies and goals. These items may be short-term (1-3 months) or may extend over a period of years; work includes concept development, project design, project and process management, financial analysis, reporting, and presentation of materials.
• Lead teams to develop and maintain unit-level documentation that can be compiled and presented at an institutional level. Examples include: the Resource Responsibility Center summaries; reallocation management, University-level reports.
• Provide guidance and direction to individual Resource Responsibility Centers on budgetary strategy, questions, opportunities, and challenges; lead expert for structural imbalance assessment.
• Lead the formulation of university-wide budgetary policies and guidelines, ensuring alignment with long-term strategic goals.
• Lead teams to create new and adapt and shape current University-wide processes, policies, and procedures.
• Create tools and resources and provide guidance and consultation to Chief Financial Managers on structural imbalances; conduct in-depth financial assessments, in coordination with the Chief Financial Managers; develop strategies to help progress toward financial stability.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications (please document on the resume):

• BA/BS degree plus at least 15 years of experience.
• Experience in budgeting/accounting, budget analysis, and/or managing fiscal services such as budget development, forecasting, or analysis of financial data for a large and complex organization.
• Strong leadership skills that require a balance of managing day-to-day activities, as well as oversight of long-term projects.
• Ability to interact with all levels of the organization, including University senior leaders and external executives where necessary, and ability to positively represent the University of Minnesota.
• Excellent communication skills, and the ability to work in a team environment and to work in a complex organizational structure are necessary.
• Commitment and prior experience in supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Preferred Qualifications (please document on the resume):

• Advanced Degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Policy, or related fields.
• Prior experience in higher education budgeting.
• Prior experience working with the state legislature.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $185,000 - $250,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.

Required Application Materials:

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume

This position will remain open until filled.

Priority Deadline: August 10th, 2026

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.