Budget Manager

Accountabilities:: Lead, plan, monitor, and support the annual operating and capital budgeting process across research, education, and central research and academic business lines. Collect, validate, process, and maintain budget data to ensure alignment with approved financial plans and organizational objectives. Develop and maintain P&Ls, budget-status reports, instructional-level reports, financial statements, projections, and other management reporting. Lead the monthly budget variance analysis process, investigate significant variances, identify emerging financial trends, and recommend corrective actions. Reforecast financial performance based on changing business conditions, assumptions, commitments, and operational scenarios. Partner with Finance Officers, accounting teams, Directors, administrators, and financial managers to resolve variances, reconcile accounts, and ensure financial targets are achieved. Prepare financial forecasts incorporating multiple variables and scenarios, while ensuring compliance with budget policies, compensation plans, and established financial controls. Present financial findings, analysis, risks, forecasts, and recommendations to executive leaders, directors, administrators, and other stakeholders through clear written and verbal communication. Prepare cost-benefit analyses, risk assessments, new-program pro formas, special financial reports, and other analyses requested by leadership. Review and approve requisitions, journal entries, expenditure requests, and expense budgets in accordance with established policies and controls. Track and manage special project and initiative funding, ensuring expenditures are appropriately accounted for and aligned with approved objectives. Collaborate with stakeholders to define and allocate strategic resources and provide financial leadership throughout annual planning and ongoing operations. Serve as a key finance contact for research and education departments, responding to questions, requests, and financial planning needs. Mentor and support finance employees by providing direction, training, feedback, development opportunities, and workload prioritization. Establish priorities, assign work, monitor progress, and ensure team deliverables are completed accurately and within established deadlines. Contribute to improvements in financial processes, methodologies, productivity, reporting, and overall operational effectiveness. Handle sensitive financial information with a high degree of confidentiality and ensure information is shared only with appropriate parties. Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned. Requirements: Bachelor’s degree plus at least 18 credit hours in accounting and/or finance from an accredited college or university. At least 6 years of experience in financial, budget, or payroll analysis, with substantial experience managing complex financial information and multiple priorities. At least 1 year of supervisory or management experience. An MBA, Master’s degree in Finance, or CPA certification may substitute for up to 2 years of required experience. Strong proficiency with computers, databases, spreadsheets, and financial applications, including Excel, Oracle, Access, Word, and PowerPoint. Demonstrated ability to mentor, coach, and develop employees while aligning team activities with organizational goals. Strong organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to prioritize and coordinate multiple initiatives simultaneously with limited supervision. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret financial performance, investigate variances, develop forecasts, and provide actionable recommendations. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and diplomatically to stakeholders at different organizational levels. Ability to remain professional and effective in high-pressure situations and when managing competing demands or challenging interactions. Strong collaboration skills and the ability to build productive working relationships across finance, operations, leadership, and administrative teams. Experience with Oracle AIS is preferred. Experience with Cognos TM1 and business intelligence tools is preferred. Experience with central funding, allocations, and state funding is advantageous. Familiarity with institutional policies, procedures, and financial governance is a plus. Ability to perform the essential responsibilities of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Benefits: Salary: $93,392–$149,156.80 per year, with the final offer based on factors including experience, education, and internal equity. Remote work: Fully remote position with a collaborative environment supported through email, Teams, calls, and other digital communication tools. Professional growth: Opportunity to contribute to complex financial planning and strategic initiatives across research and education operations. Leadership experience: Opportunity to mentor and develop finance professionals while helping shape financial processes and operational practices. Mission-driven environment: Work within a public academic health center combining healthcare, research, and education. Career development: Exposure to complex financial operations, strategic resource allocation, special initiatives, forecasting, and institutional planning. Collaborative workplace: Partner with senior leaders, finance professionals, administrators, and operational teams across a large and complex organization. Meaningful impact: Contribute to financial decisions that support research, education, healthcare, and broader organizational priorities.