Golden Gate University

Description

Position Title: Senior Financial Analyst

Department Name: Finance & Administration

Position Reports To: Financial Planning and Analysis Director

FLSA STATUS: Salaried

Salary Range: $90,000.00 - $100,000.00

Benefits: The University's comprehensive benefits program

Days & Hours: This is a fully remote position, scheduled Monday through Friday for 37.5 hours per week. The standard work schedule is 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PST, with flexibility based on operational needs. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required during peak periods.

BASIC FUNCTION AND SCOPE OF JOB:

The Senior Financial Analyst serves as a strategic finance partner responsible for translating complex financial and operational data into forward-looking insights that inform institutional decision-making.

This role goes beyond reporting and model maintenance. The Senior Analyst identifies structural drivers of financial performance, develops actionable recommendations, and proactively surfaces emerging risks and opportunities in a dynamic higher education environment.

The position partners closely with Finance leadership to strengthen the institution’s long-term financial sustainability.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Strategic Financial Analysis & Insight

• Identify root causes of financial variances and communicate implications to senior leadership.
• Translate trends in enrollment, compensation, and operating performance into strategic financial recommendations.
• Proactively identify structural risks and opportunities impacting institutional sustainability.
• Develop executive-ready financial narratives explaining “what changed” and “what it means.”

Advanced Forecasting & Scenario Modeling

• Own and continuously refine multi-year institutional financial projection models.
• Design scenario analyses (enrollment sensitivity, tuition pricing, compensation modeling, structural adjustments).
• Integrate operational KPIs into financial forecasts to improve leading-indicator accuracy.
• Continuously improve forecasting methodologies in response to business volatility.

Enrollment & Revenue Analytics

• Partner with Enrollment, Academic Affairs, and Institutional Research to translate student enrollment trends into forward-looking revenue projections.
• Analyze student mix shifts (new vs. continuing, program mix, modality, residency, partnership programs) and quantify financial impact.
• Develop and maintain tuition revenue models by cohort, term, and program.
• Conduct sensitivity analyses to model enrollment scenarios and their impact on financial position and liquidity.

Business Partnership

• Serve as a financial advisor to academic and operational leaders.
• Develop actionable recommendations to improve financial performance.
• Support strategic initiatives with financial impact modeling.
• Facilitate data-informed decision-making across departments.

ERP & Data Integration Leadership

• Ensure alignment between ERP financial data and projection models.
• Maintain robust account mapping structures and data integrity.
• Strengthen documentation to reduce institutional knowledge risk.
• Identify opportunities to automate reporting and improve data reliability.

Cash Flow & Liquidity Strategy Support

• Support rolling liquidity forecasts and working capital analysis.
• Model structural impacts of enrollment fluctuations and funding shifts.
• Assist in stress-testing financial assumptions.

The duties described are not intended to be all-inclusive and may include other related responsibilities as assigned to support departmental and organizational objectives.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education requirement:
  • Bachelor’s in Finance, Accounting, Business, or Data Analytics required; Master's preferred
• Years of experience:
  • 5+ years FP&A or institutional finance experience
• Knowledge of:
  • Advanced financial modeling expertise (multi-scenario, sensitivity analysis)
  • ERP experience (Banner/Colleague preferred)
• Direct job-related requirements:
  • Strong ability to translate data into executive-level insights
  • Experience integrating operational and financial data
  • Demonstrated ability to influence decision-making
• Skills and abilities:
  • Thinks beyond reporting and focuses on identifying underlying drivers of performance.
  • Naturally asks “What changed?” and “What does this mean for the institution?”
  • Is comfortable working with imperfect data and building structured models from complex inputs.
  • Can translate technical financial analysis into clear, actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders.
  • Balances attention to detail with big-picture thinking.
  • Is proactive in identifying financial risks and opportunities before they become urgent.
  • Builds scalable, well-documented models that reduce reliance on institutional memory.
  • Is comfortable partnering with Enrollment, Academic, and Administrative leaders.
  • Demonstrates sound judgment and discretion in executive-level discussions.

Supplemental Information

To apply: Please go to http://www.ggu.edu/jobs to submit an application, letter of interest, and a resume. In applying for a position, candidates sign a consent authorizing a broader inquiry which may include reference checks, a motor vehicle check, and a third-party background check.

Golden Gate University is an equal employment opportunity employer. We support inclusive excellence and are committed to creating a safe and welcoming community for all. University policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion/creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, gender stereotyping, and gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, taking a protected leave (e.g., family medical or pregnancy leave), or on any other basis protected by applicable laws. The University has a strong commitment to the principles of diversity and inclusion, and to maintaining working and learning environments that reinforces these practices. The University welcomes and encourages applications from all demographics.

Salary Range $90,000.00 - $100,000.00 Salary/year