Budget Analyst III

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) • Boulder, CO

3d • $98,190 - $122,740 • Hybrid

About The Position

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) Office of the CFO seeks a senior-level Budget Analyst III. This matrixed position resides within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) and is embedded within UCAR's Community Programs (UCP). It provides financial leadership and subject matter expertise in managing sponsored research programs, integrating institutional financial planning and analysis with the specialized requirements of research administration.

In partnership with UCP leadership, the UCP Business Shared Services (BSS) team, and OCFO, the role oversees and strengthens financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, award financial management, reporting, and compliance across UCP Centers and Programs. It applies knowledge of the full sponsored research lifecycle—from proposal development and award acceptance through execution, financial monitoring, reporting, and closeout—to support stewardship of sponsored funds, sound financial decisions, and compliance with sponsor requirements and institutional policies.

The position is a strategic financial partner to UCP leadership and BSS, translating complex financial and award information into actionable insights, identifying financial and compliance risks, and developing consistent practices and controls across UCP. It leads development and oversight of the UCP indirect cost budget, including forecasting Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC), and supports strategic and annual planning for the UCP Directorate, Centers, and Programs.

Within OCFO, the position partners with Financial Planning and Analysis to develop reliable forecasts of UCP financial performance, indirect spending, and MTDC generation, and contributes research portfolio expertise to institutional budgeting, planning, and financial reporting. It connects institutional financial strategy with the operational realities of sponsored research administration.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant academic discipline plus eight years of related experience; or a master's degree plus six years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience qualifying the individual to perform the duties.
• Expert skill in budget development and analysis, cost control, and development of relevant statistics.
• Advanced knowledge of Uniform Guidance and federal sponsor guidelines.
• Proven experience in budgeting and forecasting direct and indirect costs in a complex federal funding environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate complex ideas effectively in oral and written presentations to audiences from diverse technical disciplines and backgrounds.
• Experience working with senior leaders on complex financial planning and reporting issues.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in finance, accounting, or a business-related discipline.
• Experience supporting a research institution, federally funded research organization, university, nonprofit research organization, or other complex sponsored research environment.
• Experience with federal research awards and contracts, including complex or multi-year agreements, multiple funding streams, and indirect cost recovery.
• Knowledge of indirect cost rate development, Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC), cost allocation, and the relationship between sponsored research activity and institutional financial planning.
• Experience with federal contract vehicles, including indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts, and related financial monitoring and reporting requirements.
• Experience with enterprise financial systems, sponsored project management systems, and financial reporting or data analysis tools; advanced knowledge of Excel.
• Experience partnering with central finance, research administration, compliance, contracts, and program leadership teams to resolve complex financial management issues.
• Ability to design and manage complex analyses for leadership planning and direction and evaluate budget and strategic risks.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment on complex matters with broad implications and make effective recommendations supported by UCAR policy, including recommendations for new policies.
• Ability to solve complex problems through innovation and in-depth analysis, with an integrated understanding of program goals and the impacts of decisions.
• Ability to define job goals and objectives and work with considerable independence under broad management direction while maintaining confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior-level financial expertise and strategic guidance on sponsored research across the award lifecycle, including proposal budgeting, award financial management, forecasting, financial reporting, and closeout.
• Advise UCP leadership and BSS on sponsor requirements, award terms and conditions, financial risks, and compliance considerations affecting sponsored programs.
• Evaluate the financial health and sustainability of UCP research portfolios and recommend strategies for effective financial stewardship and program decision-making.
• Develop and strengthen financial management standards, internal controls, and procedures to promote compliance with federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and UCAR policies.
• Provide financial expertise for audits and compliance reviews and partner with institutional offices to resolve complex financial and regulatory issues.
• Lead development, monitoring, and forecasting of the UCP indirect cost budget, including MTDC generation, indirect spending, and resource allocation recommendations.
• Partner with UCP leadership and OCFO Financial Planning and Analysis on strategic and annual planning, financial projections, scenario analysis, and assessment of organizational financial performance.
• Communicate complex financial information to diverse audiences and develop actionable insights for leadership decision-making.
• Develop and interpret financial analyses, forecasts, and key performance metrics to identify trends and anticipate risks.
• Establish effective financial reporting methodologies and promote data integrity, consistent reporting, and effective use of financial systems across UCP and OCFO.
• Serve as a strategic financial partner to UCP leadership, BSS, and OCFO, translating complex financial and sponsored award information into insights and recommendations.
• Lead improvements to sponsored award financial management practices, reporting, and workflows to promote consistency, accountability, and operational effectiveness across UCP.
• Contribute specialized research finance expertise to institutional budgeting, reporting, and other financial initiatives as needed.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Retirement plan; UCAR contributes 10% of base salary.
• Time off plans, including a minimum of 20 days of annual PTO and 10 paid holidays.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• FAMLI Leave.
• Tuition Assistance Program.
• Employee assistance programs.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)-eligible employer.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior