Academic Jobs - Home of Higher Ed Logo
CalTech - California Institute of Technology Jobs

CalTech - California Institute of Technology

Budget Director

Closes:

Salary: $199,000 – $235,000 per year

1,229

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

The California Institute of Technology, a private, not-for-profit Research University located in Pasadena, California, seeks a highly motivated, experienced Budget Director. This position will play a key role in the Institute's budgeting, forecasting, and analysis function.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer, the Budget Director is a senior administrator and oversees the planning, policy formulation, and implementation of all operational aspects of the Institute's operating and capital budgets. With the assistance of three direct reports, the Budget Director provides oversight of the Institute budget development process and expenditure control activities, tracks year-to-date actuals and provides quarterly updates of current fiscal year forecast to budget, providing high level variance analyses. The Budget Director collaborates with financial executives in determining operating and capital budget needs and analyzing spending trends and provides oversight of capital spending to applicable fund sources, including Bonds, Gifts and General Budget funds. In addition, the Budget Director provides guidance and training on budget management and financial procedures. This position must apply advanced budget techniques in analyzing and preparing financial documents and operating budget requests and clearly articulate and explain complex financial data to all constituents.

Essential Job Duties

  • Directs the development and administration of the Institute's annual and long-range operating and capital budgets, including budget planning and policy development.
  • Prepares the annual operating budget for General Budget, Gifts and Grants, Endowment, Sponsored Research and Auxiliary fund sources.
  • Develops and updates complex revenue models, including endowment payout, tuition and fees, federal research and indirect costs recovery.
  • Collaborates with Student Affairs and Sr. Leadership in assessing and determining student financial aid budgets and in setting the annual cost of attendance
  • Oversees the budgeting and reporting of faculty and staff salary and benefits; Develops and maintains financial models to determine the cost of the annual salary increase program for general budget and designated funds.
  • Oversees the budgeting and reporting of the annual capital budget including the allocation of spending to the appropriate funding sources (bonds, gifts and general budget). Collaborates with leadership in Provost Office and Facilities on capital spending plans and funding sources.
  • Acts in an expert advisory capacity and provides strategic overview to senior and executive management on various financial planning initiatives.
  • Develops complex financial models and ad hoc analyses on Institute issues as needed for strategic planning, such as union negotiations.
  • Develops budget presentations for the Board of Trustees.
  • Works closely with leaders of academic and administrative units of the Institute with development of annual and long-range budget and planning processes.
  • Oversees the analyses and reporting of the Institute's budget including developing complex revenue models, analyzing budget requests, assessing the impact of major policy changes, and fiscal and operational issues.
  • Oversees budget variance analysis and reporting. Regularly reconciles actual revenue and spending against Budget, investigates deviations and prepares financial reports for senior leadership each quarter.
  • Conducts in-depth research and objective analysis of key issues of interest to the Institute; assembles relevant statistics to support diverse budgetary scenarios.
  • Oversight and review of financial or statistical data survey submissions, including but not limited to WASC accreditation, IPEDS, US News and World Report, and National Science Foundation
  • Provides leadership and/or guidance to other personnel (e.g. interviews, orients, trains, assigns and reviews work, counsels and advises, etc.)
  • Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

  • The successful candidate must have a Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting or a related field.
  • 10 years' experience in financial analysis, budgeting, and reporting.
  • Three years' experience and knowledge of fund accounting is required
  • A strong knowledge of business and accounting principles is required.
  • Excellent organizational skills, oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, a high level of initiative, and the ability to work in a collaborative environment are also essential.
  • The successful candidate must have the flexibility to work with both conceptual issues and with a high degree of detail and must be able to manage multiple deliverables and deadlines.
  • Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and experience with database tools is essential for this position.
  • Superior verbal and written skills and ability to explain complex financial data to all constituents.
  • A background investigation will be required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting or related field.
  • Budget experience in a not-for-profit organization with government funding.
  • Experience working with Boards in explaining complicated budget concepts.

Required Documents

  • Resume.
  • Cover Letter.

Hiring Range

$199,000 - $235,000

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.

Job details

Title
Budget Director
Employer
CalTech - California Institute of Technology
Location
Pasadena, California
Published
Sep 9, 2026
Closes:
Nov 8, 2026
Job type
Full time, Staff / Administration
Field
Business and Financial Services
Salary

Salary: $199,000 – $235,000 per year

Tell them AcademicJobs.com sent you!

Frequently Asked Questions

🎓What are the minimum qualifications for the Caltech Budget Director role?

Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting or a related field, plus 10 years of experience in financial analysis, budgeting, and reporting. At least 3 years of fund accounting experience is required. Advanced Microsoft Excel and database tools skills are essential, along with strong communication skills. A Master's degree is preferred. See more higher education administration jobs.

📊What does the Budget Director at Caltech do?

The Budget Director oversees the Institute's annual and long-range operating and capital budgets, develops revenue models, and prepares budget presentations for the Board of Trustees. The role reports to the Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer and directs three reports. Responsibilities include budget variance analysis, capital spending oversight, and strategic financial planning. Explore executive higher education jobs.

📝How do I apply for the Budget Director position at Caltech?

Applicants must submit a Resume and Cover Letter. Use the free cover letter template to tailor your application. The application deadline is November 8, 2026. Review the administration jobs page for similar opportunities.

💰What is the salary range for the Caltech Budget Director?

The hiring range for this Budget Director role is $199,000 - $235,000. Caltech offers comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off, and tuition reimbursement. Learn about university salaries.

🌟What experience is preferred for the Budget Director at Caltech?

Preferred candidates have a Master's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting or a related field and budget experience in a not-for-profit organization with government funding. Experience working with Boards to explain complex budget concepts is also preferred. Explore executive higher education jobs to understand senior finance roles.

About the employer

CalTech - California Institute of Technology Jobs

CalTech - California Institute of Technology

4.0 Star Employer Ranking

AcademicJobs.com is the premier platform to discover Caltech jobs, connecting talented professionals with exceptional career opportunities at one of the world’s leading institutions for science and technology. The California Institute of Technology (Caltech), located in Pasadena, California, is renowned for its groundbreaking research and academic excellence, making Caltech uni jobs highly sought after by academics and professionals globally. Caltech careers offer an innovative and collaborative environment for individuals to excel. Caltech university careers span a diverse range of disciplines, reflecting the institute’s key areas of academic specialization, including physics, astronomy, engineering, computer science, and biology. Employment Caltech includes roles such as professors, research scientists, postdoctoral scholars, and professional staff positions, catering to various expertise levels. For those pursuing Caltech jobs Pasadena, the institute’s vibrant campus provides a dynamic workplace in a sunny, culturally rich region near Los Angeles. Caltech uni vacancies and job postings are showcased on AcademicJobs.com, where candidates can explore opportunities in cutting-edge research, teaching, and administrative roles. Jobs at Caltech cover fields like quantum computing, planetary science, and bioengineering, aligning with the institute’s mission to advance scientific discovery and solve global challenges. Each Caltech vacancy is an opportunity to contribute to pioneering projects within a world-class scientific community. Caltech Employment Opportunities are extensive, with Caltech job Opportunities ranging from academic faculty to technical and operational roles. A Caltech Career offers the chance to join an institution that values innovation, rigor, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Caltech uni openings are regularly updated on AcademicJobs.com, ensuring access to the latest Caltech vacancies. Jobs at Caltech uni are ideal for those passionate about pushing the boundaries of science and technology. Caltech job postings include positions in chemistry, data science, and professional services such as IT and research administration. Caltech Employment through AcademicJobs.com connects talented individuals with Caltech Uni vacancies, providing a seamless pathway to join a prestigious institution driving global scientific progress.

Visit the employer page

Hire Experts… Post a Job

Post a Job

Roles… Create a Job Alert

Related Jobs

View All Jobs
Lewiston, Idaho839

Budget Analyst

Lewis-Clark State College
Cambridge, Massachusetts1,344

Senior Construction Financial Analyst, Capital Projects

Harvard University
Palo Alto, California597

Trade & Cash Operations Analyst

Stanford University
Baltimore, Maryland64

Sr. Financial Analyst (School of Medicine - Central Finance)

Johns Hopkins University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania54

Supervisor, Accounts Payable - Finance Division

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania57

Finance and Procurement Coordinator

Carnegie Mellon University
Boston, Massachusetts73

Cash Management Accountant

Northeastern University
Fairfax, Virginia75

Budget & Financial Data Analyst

George Mason University