"Budget Analyst III"

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Director, Budget Operations, the Budget Analyst III works collaboratively within the University's Budget Office to assist with the preparation, tracking, analyzing, projecting, and reporting of the University's annual $1 Billion budget. This position will assist with special projects and analyses in the context of budget planning and monitoring, strategic planning, capital planning, and fundraising initiatives. The Budget Office, reports to the Associate Vice President for Budget & Fiscal Analysis, and prepares information for the President, Provost, EVP OF&S, and Board of Trustees as well as other senior leadership.

Workplace Requirements:

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Two days on campus and three days remote, except during budget season, when on-campus presence is required. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Salary:

$72,600 to $92,500

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree
• 3+ years of experience in budget analysis and planning, budget preparation, forecasting, and reconciliation

Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to apply financial and analytical skills based on a firm understanding of the mission, strategy and operating principles of the school/unit
• Broad subject matter expertise in all aspects of CFO-type responsibilities including financial, project management services and controls
• Demonstrated ability to work and interact effectively with individuals representing a broad range of skills and experiences, and the ability to build coalitions and inter-functional teams to leverage synergistic relationships
• Proven strategic and innovative thinker who plans and makes decisions within the framework of the school / unit and university's strategic intent
• High level user of standard business computer systems and software including Microsoft Excel, Power Point, Word and other business support resources. Knowledge of software to quantify and illustrate complex financial reports, comparisons, impacts, and / or projections
• Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures
• Successful experience with organizational development and staff development, and a proven ability to create and manage change
• Strong interpersonal skills, leadership and the ability to bring people together to create solutions and to forge a successful conclusion
• Ability to clearly and effectively present information to internal and external audiences, client groups and all levels of management and serve as an advisor to senior and university leadership
• Advanced oral and written communication skills

Preferences:

• Master's degree in a quantitative area
• 5+ years of experience in budget analysis and planning, budget preparation, forecasting, and reconciliation; ideally in a university or college setting
• Experience with Oracle Financials and HCM or similar enterprise resource planning systems
• Experience with budget planning software (i.e. Hyperion Planning, EPBCS)
• Previous experience in strategic management and leading large multi-functional teams

Essential Functions:

• Develops, maintains and updates databases and spreadsheets for budget development, analysis and reporting, including multi-year projections
• Works with Director, Budget Operations to ensure the budget is loaded into the accounting systems accurately and timely prior to the start of the fiscal year
• Uses endowment files received and manipulates them for load into EBPCS to include in the Budget via Smartview (Works with Director of Finance Data Management to review and develop a more streamlined load of the endowment budget into EPBCS)
• Prepares Budget Schedules for the Board Budget Book
• Designs and prepares financial reports that accurately reflect the university's financial position for use by senior administrators
• In consultation with Academic and Department Administrators, prepares budget projections, analyses of alternatives, and make recommendations for use by Academic, Department and Senior Administrators
• Works closely with schools and departments to ensure school-based budget plans and transactions are accurate, are within guidelines and consistent with university policy and procedure. Provides assistance and advice on specific budgetary issues as they arise during the year
• Works closely with various schools and administrative departments to inform them about budget projections and transactions and to address issues
• Assists in preparation of materials for the Board of Trustees and university senior management that is accurate, timely, and clearly and effectively presented
• Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual management reports for monitoring the budget vs actual performance and historical trends
• Prepares annual True Up allocations of operating costs for the Leases for space in the Biomedical Research Collaboration building. Includes allocation of costs of utilities based on Energy Designations for space time occupied. Prepares billings and other supporting documentation to send to Lessors. Coordinates billings with the Bursar's Office
• Reviews iO (Oracle Cloud) accounting reports on a regular basis to ensure that assigned areas are projected to be within budget and takes action as needed to resolve issues. Monitors for Fund Type Fund Source mismatches.
• Identifies opportunities to improve current methods for budget preparation and monitoring
• Reviews requests for new positions and assigns position numbers. As part of the Budget Enhancement process creates new positions in iO to support the position being recorded in the budget.
• Performs all other duties as assigned