"Executive Director of Budgeting and Planning"

Executive Director of Budgeting and Planning

Job Description Summary: The Director of Budgeting & Planning is a key leadership position within the Office of Financial and Business Services, responsible for leading and managing the university’s operating and capital budgeting processes. The Director ensures that the budget supports the institution’s strategic goals and is financially sustainable, with particular attention to the challenges of a tuition-driven financial model. This role partners with academic, administrative, and financial leaders across undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools to promote data-informed resource allocation and long-term planning.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration, Business, or a related field, from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in budget planning, financial analysis, or resource management in a higher education or nonprofit setting, including 3 years supervisory experience.
• Proven experience managing complex budget processes in a tuition-dependent institution.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and build consensus.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Master’s Degree is preferred.
• Experience with integrated financial planning systems.
• Knowledge of private university financial models, including tuition discounting, enrollment forecasting, and net tuition revenue management.
• Familiarity with capital planning and debt financing in higher education.
• Commitment to mission-driven financial stewardship.

Specific Duties:

Strategic Budget Leadership

• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of the university’s annual and multi-year operating and capital budgets.
• Align budget planning with institutional priorities, strategic enrollment goals, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Advise senior leadership on budget scenarios, trade-offs, and strategic investments in the context of enrollment trends and tuition dependency.

Percentage of Time: 25

Budget Development and Management

• Oversee preparation and dissemination of budget guidelines, timelines, and tools to university departments and units.
• Analyze and evaluate budget submissions for alignment with university priorities, financial constraints, and compliance with policies.
• Monitor actual performance against budget; lead monthly forecasting and variance analyses.
• Lead the implementation of a new budgeting software package.

Percentage of Time: 25

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Provide accurate, timely, and comprehensive financial and budgetary reports to senior leadership, the Board of Trustees, and external foundations and auditors.
• Develop financial models, dashboards, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to support strategic decision-making.
• Identify financial risks and opportunities and recommend corrective actions.

Percentage of Time: 20

Resource Allocation and Planning

• Develop transparent methodologies for resource allocation to colleges, and administrative units.
• Support initiatives such as program reviews, new academic offerings, and strategic investments with financial impact analyses and preparation of pro-formas
• Participate in long-range institutional planning and strategic financial modeling.

Percentage of Time: 10

Collaboration and Communication

• Serve as a strategic partner to deans, department heads, and administrative leaders, providing guidance on budget planning, tuition revenue projections, and cost containment.
• Communicate complex budgetary and financial information to diverse stakeholders in a clear and accessible manner.
• Promote a culture of fiscal responsibility, transparency, accountability, adherence to policies and continuous improvement.

Percentage of Time: 10

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the senior budget analyst position with strong analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Foster collaboration and a customer-service orientation within the Budget Office and with the budget managers.
• Ensure team adherence to best practices, ethical standards, and university policies.

Percentage of Time: 5

Duty: Other duties as assigned

Percentage of Time: 5

Salary Range

Maximum: $152,083

Minimum: $150,460.87

Benefits Summary:

Applicants, please note that actual compensation is determined by several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job-related skills, depth of experience, certifications, relevant education or training, and specific work location, among others. The offered wage or salary is only one aspect of an employee’s total compensation.

Benefits include a comprehensive health and wellness plan, tuition remission program for employee, spouse, and dependent children, a generous contribution to the University’s 403B retirement plan, and a generous time off plan.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion and clearance of a background check and employment verification.

Location:

La Verne Main Campus