Budget and Financial Planning Lead

Finance & Administration Div

JOB SUMMARY

The Budget and Financial Planning Lead supports the University's financial operations by ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timely maintenance of budget and position-management data across institutional systems. This position prepares financial analyses, projections, forecasts, and decision-support models that inform resource planning and campus financial strategies. The role serves as a key liaison between the Office of Accounting and Financial Planning, academic and administrative units, and University of Missouri System partners, providing technical and transactional support related to budget adjustments, personnel funding, reporting, and budgeting systems.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Planning, Analysis, and Reporting - 25%

• Prepare financial forecasts, quarterly projections, long-range planning models, full-costing analyses, and management reports to support institutional planning and decision-making.
• Analyze financial trends, funding allocations, and budget variances, providing data-driven recommendations and insights to leadership and campus stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain financial models, reports, and analytical tools that improve visibility into University financial performance and resource planning.

Budget Administration and Stakeholder Support - 25%

• Coordinate budget-related activities and provide technical guidance to academic and administrative units regarding budget development, adjustments, funding allocations, and University financial policies.
• Support the planning and execution of the annual budget cycle while ensuring timely and accurate processing of budget transactions and funding changes.
• Monitor adherence to approved revenue and expenditure budgets and assist departments in resolving budget and funding issues.

Systems Administration and Data Integrity - 25%

• Serve as the functional administrator for campus budgeting and budget change systems, acting as the primary liaison with the University of Missouri System Enterprise Systems team.
• Maintain accurate budget, position management, and personnel funding data while ensuring compliance with established controls, procedures, and reporting requirements.
• Support system testing, process documentation, reporting enhancements, and implementation of new financial technologies and tools.

Process Improvement, Project Leadership, and Training - 25%

• Lead assigned projects and process-improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, reporting capabilities, data quality, and financial decision support across the University.
• Develop and deliver financial training, guidance, and documentation for campus constituents and stakeholders.
• Mentor less-experienced colleagues and provide functional expertise while fostering collaboration and continuous improvement within financial operations.

As with all positions, may perform other job-related responsibilities as needed to support departmental and campus-wide needs.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Financial Planning & Analysis
• Budget Administration
• Financial Systems & Data Management
• Strategic Problem Solving
• Stakeholder Communication & Collaboration
• Project Leadership & Process Improvement

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work is primarily performed in a professional office environment with regular interaction with employees, campus leaders, financial personnel, technical teams, and representatives of academic and administrative units. The position requires prolonged use of a computer and financial information systems, frequent review and interpretation of detailed financial data, and regular participation in in-person and virtual meetings. Duties may involve extended periods of sitting, repetitive keyboard and mouse use, and occasional movement of standard office materials. The role requires sustained concentration, accuracy, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and recurring deadlines, particularly during annual budget development, quarterly forecasting, fiscal-year activities, and major system or reporting initiatives.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position does not have formal supervisory responsibility. The Budget and Financial Planning Lead may provide functional guidance, technical support, training, and mentorship to less-experienced colleagues and campus stakeholders. The position may also coordinate project activities, assign or organize project tasks, and provide subject-matter direction to cross-functional participants without exercising direct personnel-management authority.

Application Deadline

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled.

Onsite, 40 hours/week, Monday thru Friday

A Bachelor's degree and at least 6 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

• Bachelor's Degree in accounting, finance, data analytics, or management information systems.
• Strong accounting, financial modeling and analysis, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of not-for-profit or governmental fund accounting in higher education, government, health care, or other large non-for-profit organizations.
• Proficient with Microsoft suite of products. Advanced experience with Excel and Teams.
• Demonstrated experience using query tools, Power BI reporting, Tableau, Cognos, or other similar reporting tools.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly master new technical skills. Ability to research modern technologies and recommend technical solutions to management.
• Ability to collaborate with team members in department and cross-functional and effectively support users in a professional manner.
• Excellent communication skills, with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• High degree of initiative, self-direction, critical & creative thinking, and independent judgment.

$70,512 - $87,308

Grade: GGS-012
University Title: FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING CONSULTANT LEAD
Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

• Application materials include a cover letter and resume. Finalists will be asked to provide references at a later date.
• Applicants must combine all application materials into one PDF or Microsoft Word document and upload as a resume attachment to the UMSL Careers: https://www.umsl.edu/services/hrs/careers/index.html
• Limit document name to 50 characters. Maximum size limit is 11MB. Do not include special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.). For questions about the application process, please email employment@umsl.edu. If you are experiencing technical problems, please email umpshrsupport@umsystem.edu.
  

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please email the Office of Human Resources at umslhr@umsl.edu.