Overview
This role provides strategic leadership in financial and resource planning, budget development and management, and analytical support across a complex portfolio of departments and programs within a university division focused on student affairs and success. The position serves as a lead financial expert managing multi-source budgets including state funds, student fees, contracts and grants, gift and endowment funds, auxiliary income, and other revenue sources. The Principal Analyst supports the financial health of assigned departments and units, advising on all budget and financial matters.
Responsibilities
- Conduct complex financial analyses to assess past and forecasted performance.
- Lead development and maintenance of long-range financial models and business plans.
- Prepare detailed analyses for operating, capital, and auxiliary budgets.
- Perform scenario analysis to support senior leadership decision-making.
- Serve as divisional expert in fund management and financial policy.
- Prepare, review, and approve advanced financial transactions across units.
- Communicate departmental financial standing, risk areas, and improvement opportunities.
- Coordinate annual budget planning processes for assigned departments.
- Develop revenue and expenditure projections; monitor budgets for compliance and performance.
- Collaborate with departments on financial status updates and reporting.
- Advise unit leaders on financial and operational implications of decisions.
- Prepare and present detailed financial reports, dashboards, and forecasts.
- Oversee budget implementation and reallocation processes.
- Develop and implement internal control procedures and policies to protect assets.
- Interpret and ensure compliance with university, state, and federal financial policies.
- Coordinate division-wide practices such as merit/salary savings, gifts, contracts, purchasing, entertainment, and travel.
- Advise managers on appropriate use of funds and delegations of authority.
- Reinforce accountability for reconciliations and financial reporting within departments.
- Lead or contribute to policy development and planning initiatives aligned with financial strategies.
- Design and implement automated reporting tools; support data-informed decision-making.
- Create and maintain dashboards and advanced Excel-based models.
- Collaborate with IT and central offices to enhance financial systems functionality.
- Provide input on proposed campus and systemwide financial policies.
- Provide fiscal support for major maintenance, capital projects, and space planning.
- Coordinate funding models and debt service forecasting.
- Support preparation of capital requests and reporting including equipment/technology calls, capital grants, and space assignments.
- Track permanent budgets for salary provisions, reclassifications, and hiring.
- Serve as control point for HR transactions with fiscal impact.
- Liaise with human resources on personnel actions.
- Support strategic initiatives and cross-functional projects.
- Participate in or lead special committees or working groups.
- Provide financial analysis, reporting, or planning support for ad hoc requests.
- Provide training and guidance to unit budget analysts and administrative staff.
- May supervise or lead other finance, business, or clerical professionals or student workers.
- Foster a collaborative, customer-service-oriented team culture.
Required Qualifications
- Advanced degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
- Ability to independently identify, collect, and analyze information from multiple sources.
- Advanced ability to effectively present complex finance-related information verbally and in writing.
- Proficiency with multiple spreadsheet and database software tools for specialized, complex financial analysis and reporting.
- Advanced interpersonal skills to engage effectively at all organizational levels.
- Advanced critical thinking and strong attention to detail.
- Advanced service orientation skills.
- Strong organizational skills to multi-task in a high-volume environment.
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities.
- Ability to function effectively as a team member.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced knowledge of finance policies, practices, and systems.
- Advanced understanding of internal control practices and their impact on protecting organizational resources.
Compensation & Benefits
- Budgeted salary range: $100,000 - $115,000 annually, commensurate with skills, qualifications, and experience.
- Full benefits eligibility.
Schedule & Location
- Full-time, fixed appointment (40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, day shift).
- Remote work with ability to report to campus as operationally required with reasonable notice.
Additional Information
- This position requires passing a pre-employment criminal history background check and employment misconduct disclosure process.
- Selected candidate must comply with applicable vaccination policies.
- This role is identified as a Mandated Reporter under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA).
- The position involves rare or no travel.
- Union representation: Clerical Employees (CX).
- Job code classification: FINANCIAL ANL 4 CX (006347).
Equal Employment Opportunity
All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories. Affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts are undertaken consistent with federal and state contractor obligations.