Senior Budget Analyst

Senior Budget Analyst

Job No: 498757
Work Type: Staff Full-time
Department: Katz School
Location: Beren Campus, 245 Lexington Avenue, NY, NY
Categories: Accounting/Finance, Administrative Support, Academic Administration, Data Analytics/ Reporting

Position Summary:

The Katz School seeks a collaborative and analytically strong finance professional to serve as Senior Budget Analyst. This role supports school-wide financial planning and budget operations to ensure fiscal discipline, transparency, and alignment with the school's academic and operational priorities.

The Senior Budget Analyst reports to the Director of Administrative Services and Operations, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the University's Director of Budget and Planning in the Office of Business Affairs (Finance). The position plays a central role in budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and financial analysis for a dynamic academic enterprise serving over 1,300 graduate students across 12 programs and five campuses. The Analyst partners closely with academic and administrative leaders and collaborates regularly with central university finance offices.

The ideal candidate brings strong financial modeling skills, sound judgment, and the ability to translate data into actionable insights that support effective resource management and informed decision-making.

Position Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Financial Planning and Analysis:

• Maintain working knowledge of revenue streams, expense drivers, and market factors influencing financial performance
• Support the development of annual budgets and multi-year financial plans
• Prepare financial forecasts, enrollment-based revenue projections, and position-level modeling
• Conduct variance analyses and prepare budget-to-actual reports with clear explanations and recommendations
• Perform program- and unit-level cost analysis to support operational efficiency and strategic planning
• Contribute to quarterly financial reviews and long-range planning initiatives

Budget Development and Administration:

• Coordinate components of the School's annual budget development process, including timeline tracking, data collection, and consolidation
• Process and monitor budget transactions such as transfers, position adjustments, and inter-fund activity in accordance with university policies
• Monitor expenditures and provide guidance to program directors and unit managers on budget management and compliance
• Maintain reporting structures, chart of accounts accuracy, and appropriate fund usage
• Support salary and fringe budgeting at the position level, including reconciliation of personnel-related expenses

Cross-Unit Collaboration:

• Partner with academic leadership to align enrollment projections with revenue forecasts
• Coordinate with the Office of Sponsored Programs to track and integrate grant funding into financial reports and projections
• Collaborate with central university offices, including Finance, Procurement, and Tax, to ensure compliance and process alignment
• Develop strong working relationships across departments to promote financial transparency and shared accountability

Reporting and Decision Support:

• Prepare financial reports, dashboards, and analytical summaries for school leadership
• Translate financial data into clear, concise insights to inform program planning and operational decisions
• Support scenario modeling and ad hoc financial analysis for new initiatives, program changes, and resource allocation decisions
• Assist in developing and refining financial procedures, tools, and documentation to improve consistency and efficiency

Experience & Educational Background:

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field preferred
• Minimum of three to five years of progressively responsible experience in budgeting, forecasting, or financial analysis
• Experience supporting complex budgets in higher education, nonprofit, healthcare, or public-sector settings preferred

Financial Analysis and Technical Skills:

• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, scenario modeling, lookup functions, and financial dashboards.
• Experience with multi-year forecasting and scenario analysis
• Strong variance analysis and financial reporting experience
• Familiarity with position budgeting and salary modeling
• Experience with enterprise financial systems and reporting tools

Skills & Competencies:

Required:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborative, service-oriented mindset with the ability to build effective working relationships

Preferred:

• Experience with process improvement or systems enhancement initiatives
• Prior experience in higher education budgeting
• Interest in leveraging data tools and emerging technologies to improve reporting and planning

Application Instructions:

Please upload a cover letter, CV, and a list of three (3) references.

Salary Range:

90,000 - 105,000