Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The Budget Planning and Analysis Office supports the University in informed decision making through financial analysis, budget planning, execution and control. It serves as a liaison between campus, University leadership and external financial organizations such as The University of North Carolina System, North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management and the North Carolina General Assembly Fiscal Research Division. This office performs all ongoing functional responsibilities including budget oversight and reporting on state funds in compliance with all state regulations and requirements.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance and Budget (AVC), the Executive Director for Budget, Financial Planning, and Analysis is charged with refining the University’s budget operations to support campus and central administration needs. Further, the Executive Director will oversee the University’s comprehensive all-funds budget process that is collaborative as well as performance and data driven. The Executive Director will join leadership across campus on the implementation of a new budget tool in advance of the FY 2024-2025 budget cycle.
This role is responsible for leading the Office of Budget, Planning and Analysis to support the institution in informed decision making through robust planning, analysis, and information delivery. The position will also assist University leadership in implementing appropriate budget and planning strategies that support the University’s strategic initiatives. The Executive Director will work closely with executive leadership, vice chancellors, deans, department heads, and budget and financial managers across the institution.
Primary duties include:
(1) Budget Development and Implementation: Lead the development and implementation of the University’s all-funds budget, budget reporting, and associated processes through a consensus-oriented process. Ensure that budgets are prepared for public hearings, Board adoption and forwarded to appropriate agencies in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. Responsible for the creation, management, and publication of the University’s Budget Book.
(2) Planning and Analysis: Expand the capabilities (in terms of staffing levels, skill sets, and organizational structure) of the existing Budget Office within the Finance and Operations Division to provide budget, financial planning, modeling, and analysis support to the University’s executive leadership and units.
(3) Leadership and Supervision: Develop organizational structure, technical and analytical skill sets, systems and processes to support budget, financial planning, modeling, and analysis functions. Responsible for supervising and managing day-to-day activities, performance management, and deadlines for direct reports.
(4) Client Relations and Service: Act as a principal liaison between the Division of Finance and Operations and campus stakeholders, as well as between the campus and various external entities related to budget and financial planning matters.
(5) Business Analysis and Enterprise Resource Management: Provide functional leadership for budget-related issues within the University’s Financial system to assure that central and campus user requirements are continuously reflected in system design, configuration, reporting, and upgrades.
(6) Project Management: Identify and partner with key administrative and campus departments to execute budget, financial planning, modeling, and analysis projects as directed by the AVC or the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations & CFO (VCF&O).
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent) with three years or greater of related professional experience; for candidates demonstrating comparable professional backgrounds, will accept a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and five years or greater of relevant experience in substitution.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
A Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, management, public administration, or a related field is required.
Minimum of 8-10 years of executive-level experience managing the budget operations of a federal or state agency, municipality, or higher education institution of similar scope and complexity as UNC-Chapel Hill, or in a senior financial leadership role of a medium-sized institution with an overall comparable scope of responsibility.
The successful candidate must have:
Experience in planning (formulation) and management (execution) of comprehensive budgets for complex entities, with a preference for experience in higher education/federal or state government settings;
Experience in addressing and developing complex institutional budgetary priorities and needs;
Familiarity with various budget models;
Proficient in statistical analysis, revenue forecasting, financial modeling, project modeling and business plan development;
Strong planning, analysis, and management skills;
Strong leadership skills, experience leading knowledgeable subject matter experts, and developing staff;
Experience dealing with change management, both from an organizational/structural and technical/system perspective;
Experience leading complex financial systems and organizations, especially in a university or federal government setting;
Experience operating as a team member in a cohesive leadership team; willingness to participate in team interactions, collaborative projects, and decision-making.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
An advanced degree in business, finance, management, or public administration is preferred, as is a certification in public accounting.
Experience in performing these functions in a public research university or federal, state agency, or municipality is strongly preferred. Strong communication, collaboration, and coalition-building skills are essential as is a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and collaborative decision making in the workplace.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority in accordance with the Clery Act. This position will be required to report Clery crimes to the Clery Compliance Manager and complete annual training about reporting responsibilities.