Lead Budget Analyst

The Lead Budget Analyst serves as a senior financial and research administration professional within the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Computing, providing strategic leadership in budget planning, fiscal management, and research administration across multiple funding sources, including E&G, Auxiliary, Foundation, Research Foundation, and other restricted funds. The position oversees college-wide financial operations to ensure accuracy, transparency, and compliance with university and state regulations, while managing faculty startup commitments, performing financial analyses, preparing projections and reports, reconciling accounts, and supporting data-driven decision-making for college leadership. Working collaboratively with the Dean, Associate Dean of Research, Director of Operations, and Assistant Director of Finance, the Lead Budget Analyst advises on budgetary, facilities, and staffing matters and conducts strategic analyses to guide both short- and long-term planning. 

The role also provides training and mentorship to fiscal and research administration staff, develops standardized procedures, strengthens internal controls, leads process improvements, and ensures alignment of fiscal operations with the College’s mission and institutional goals. This position requires three to five years of progressive higher education experience; demonstrated leadership, project management, and supervisory skills; and proven expertise in managing diverse funding portfolios, including E&G funds, grants and contracts, auxiliaries, core facilities, and foundation budgets. Additional qualifications include advanced proficiency in budget development, financial analysis, forecasting, and strategic fiscal planning; a comprehensive understanding of statutes, regulations, and institutional policies governing research administration; exceptional written and verbal communication abilities; and strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with a commitment to precision, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Opened in 2025 and powered by a University of South Florida record $40 million gift from Arnie and Lauren Bellini, USF’s Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing is the first in Florida, and among the first in the nation, to unify AI, cybersecurity, and computing within a single college. More than 65 faculty members focus on cutting-edge research and educating 3,000; bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students across 15 degree programs in computer science, cybersecurity, AI, information technology, and computer engineering. The college emphasizes industry-relevant education and experiential learning to prepare students for real-world challenges. It also serves as the central hub for AI and cybersecurity research and teaching at USF, collaborating with colleges and units across the university.

Hiring Range: $80,000-$87,000

Budget and Fiscal Management

• Manage diverse funding sources, including:
• E&G, Carry-Forward, Auxiliary, Core Facility, Centers and Institutes, Faculty Startup, College Research Initiative Accounts (RIA), USF Research Foundation, and USF Foundation funds.
• Oversee faculty startup commitments and maintain a college-wide startup tracking system for the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Computing.
• Serve as a liaison with VP areas to ensure accuracy of faculty commitment transactions and compliance with university and college policies.
• Post and reconcile transfers in Axiom/BBS and process budget adjustments to support operational and research priorities.
• Prepare financial reports and analyses for the Dean, Associate Dean of Research, Director of Operations, and Assistant Director of Finance, offering data-driven recommendations on spending trends and fund management.
• Oversee operating budgets for the Bellini College and its core facilities, including expenditures, project funding, monthly reconciliations, and budget projections.
• Train and support unit finance staff to promote accountability, transparency, and consistency in fiscal practices.

Collaborate with Bellini College leadership and the Finance and Research Teams to align financial operations with institutional goals and ensure strong fiscal stewardship.

Advisory and Strategic Analysis

• Advise the Assistant Director of Finance on financial, budgetary, facilities, and staffing/faculty matters through comprehensive reports and data-driven analyses.
• Conduct SWOT analyses, risk assessments, and benchmarking studies to identify operational opportunities, risks, and emerging trends impacting the college.
• Provide extensive analysis of resources, revenue projections, and expenditure forecasts to support both short- and long-term strategic plann