Senior Director Planning, Budget and Finance

Position Summary:       

 

                  

The Katz School is seeking a strategic and experienced finance leader to serve as Senior Director for Planning, Budget, and Finance. This is a pivotal role that provides school-wide financial direction to ensure long-term sustainability, operational excellence, and alignment with the School’s academic mission and growth goals.

As a senior member of the School’s leadership team, the Senior Director oversees budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and financial analysis for a dynamic and growing academic enterprise serving over 1,300 graduate students across 12 programs and five campuses. The position reports directly to the Dean and serves as the primary liaison to the University’s Office of Finance and Budget.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in financial strategy, a collaborative mindset, and a commitment to using data to support academic innovation and effective resource management.

Position Responsibilities:

Strategic Financial Leadership:

• Serve as a core member of the School’s leadership team and lead all aspects of financial strategy, planning, and forecasting.
• Act as the primary liaison to the University’s Office of Finance and Budget.
• Develop and implement multi-year financial plans, annual budgets, and quarterly financial reviews.
• Conduct financial projections, position-level modeling, and variance analyses to ensure long-term fiscal health.
• Provide activity-based cost analysis by program and function to support operational efficiency and growth.
• Build fluency in the School’s revenue streams, cost structures, and market dynamics to inform decision-making.
• Forecast short- and long-term enrollments in collaboration with academic leadership.

Budget Development and Execution

• Lead the School’s annual and multi-year budget planning process, including timeline development, allocation guidance, and divisional reviews.
• Manage budget operations such as transfers, position budget adjustments, and inter-fund transactions.
• Maintain and optimize the chart of accounts, fund usage, and reporting structures to ensure clarity and accuracy.
• Work closely with program directors and administrative unit leaders to implement and manage their budgets throughout the fiscal year, providing guidance, training, and support to promote sound fiscal stewardship.
• Monitor unit-level expenditures and partner with staff to align budget use with academic and operational priorities.

Cross-Unit and University Collaboration

• Align enrollment targets and academic planning with revenue projections and multi-year forecasts.
• Collaborate with the Office of Sponsored Programs to integrate grant funding into the School’s financial plans and ensure compliant tracking and reporting.
• Coordinate with central university offices, including Finance, Procurement, and Tax, to support school-level alignment and compliance.
• Build cross-functional relationships that support financial transparency and data-informed planning across the School.

Operations and Team Oversight

• Supervise staff responsible for faculty and staff appointments, purchasing, procurement, and facilities coordination.
• Oversee part-time, casual, and student workers to support operational and administrative functions.
• Develop and maintain financial protocols, tools, and training resources to promote compliance and consistency across all departments and programs.

Executive Reporting and Decision Support

• Prepare financial reports, briefings, and analyses for use by the Dean and University executive leadership.
• Translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights to inform school-wide planning, program development, and high-level decision-making.

Experience & Educational Background:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Demonstrated success managing complex budgets and leading financial planning in higher education, nonprofit, or public-sector settings.
• Experience supervising professional staff and collaborating with central offices on finance, procurement, and administrative processes.

Financial Analysis & Modeling Skills

• Excel (Advanced): Proficient in pivot tables, INDEX/MATCH, scenario modeling, conditional formulas, and executive-ready charts.
• Financial Modeling: Skilled in multiyear forecasting, scenario analysis, break-even models, and enrollment-based revenue projections.
• Variance Analysis: