Department
Provost Budget Operations
About the Department
Through the Budget Office, the Office of the Provost manages, administers, and implements the University’s annual operating, long-term planning and capital budgets. The Budget Office also provides strategic and operational leadership in financial planning and analysis and works collaboratively with units across campus on their budgets. In addition to these core duties, the unit provides financial analysis on a wide range of subject matters including total student charges, research performance, and enrollment trends.
Job Summary
Reporting to the University Budget Director, the Director of Budget Operations will provide analytic and operational support for the University of Chicago Budget Office. The Director will work collaboratively with academic and administrative financial managers and experts throughout the University supporting annual and monthly University budget processes, including the development of the University’s recurring and non-recurring operating budgets. The Director will also lead the development and integration of university-wide financial data analytics and reporting, with a focus on the development of a common set of metrics and methodologies for evaluating both University and unit-specific budget fidelity and financial performance. This role will manage a team of financial administrators to support the development and execution of unit budgets within central administration.
Responsibilities
- Leads the development, implementation, and monitoring of operating budget targets for major academic and auxiliary units, including many units surpassing $100M, while ensuring alignment with University-wide budgetary priorities.
- Leads the University’s non-recurring operating budget process, resulting in the development and monitoring of budgets totaling more than $100M.
- Manages a team of financial administrators, providing leadership, guidance, and professional development opportunities that ensure the provision of critical analytical and budgetary support to decision-makers in academic, support, and executive units.
- Convenes senior administrators across units to ensure a shared understanding of budget variances and implements revenue enhancement or cost containment strategies.
- Develops, interprets, and implements highly complex financial/accounting concepts and advanced techniques for financial planning and forecasting.
- Develops, implements, and enforces robust standard operating procedures for annual and monthly budget processes to ensure consistency and accuracy across the University.
- Promotes a continuous improvement culture to identify and improve process efficiency and effectiveness.
- Performs business case analyses and provides quantitative modeling support for various financial management projects in the Budget Office and in the Office of the Provost.
- Prepares presentations to convey financial and administrative matters to University leadership, including the President, Provost, Board of Trustees, and members of the University community.
- Creates financial models for consumption by University leadership, including the President and Provost, that employ scenario analysis for future University planning and budgeting decisions.
- Develops and implements metrics and methodologies toolkits for evaluating financial performance for both the University and specific administrative and academic units.
- Collaborates with senior management and stakeholders across the University to gather, analyze, summarize, and prepare strategic recommendations regarding financial plans, operating forecasts, and other complex financial matters.
- Works closely with information technology staff to coordinate and lead improvements on enterprise-wide budgeting and financial reporting systems and tools, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of the University.
- Coordinates analytical support for complex budget projects. Analyzes budget estimates and proposals for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with established procedures, regulations, and organizational objectives.
- Reports on variances between the approved budget and actual performance, and recommends revised procedures.
- Serves as the primary point of contact and subject matter expert for the Internal Award and Discretionary Fund processes in Oracle, which collectively amounts to more than $500M in total funds managed.
- Manages the budget professional staff. Develops performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for direct subordinates.
- May develop or assist in the development of a long-term financial plan integrated with the budget process. Develops strategies to proactively address issues or problems with financial results and insure balanced operations.
- Manages development and administration of the annual budget and financial performance, from a systems as well as procedural/process standpoint.
- Manages communications with internal offices and departments, external constituencies, and within the University.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Master’s degree in related fields.
Experience:
- Five years of relevant experience managing budget development and execution.
- Higher education experience.
Technical Skills or Knowledge:
- Familiarity with financial software and tools, particularly Oracle modules.
- Work with IT staff to enhance budgeting and reporting systems.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills, financial computing, and database software applications, with an emphasis on their integration with financial platforms.
Preferred Competencies
- Analytical Skills - analyze complex financial data and create detailed reports. Expertise in financial modeling and quantitative analysis.
- Financial Acumen - demonstrated understanding of advanced financial and accounting concepts, budgeting processes, and financial forecasting. Knowledge of budgetary procedures and financial regulations.
- Communication Skills - prepare and present financial and administrative information clearly to diverse audiences. Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Project Management - capable of coordinating multiple projects and managing timelines effectively. Develop and implement standard operating procedures.
- Leadership and Team Management - manage teams, providing guidance, and ensuring timely completion of tasks.
- Continuous Improvement - commitment to promoting a culture of continuous improvement and efficiency.
- Strategic Thinking - develop and implement metrics and methodologies for financial performance evaluation.
- Adaptability - flexibility in managing changing priorities and dynamic financial environments.
Working Conditions
- This role may be hybrid with the expectation of 2-3 days per week on campus.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
- Cover Letter (preferred)
- References Contact Information (3)(required)
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Financial Management
Role Impact
People Manager
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$170,000.00 - $180,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
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