Director, Academic Finance

Rice University•Houston, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Academic Finance is a key strategic leader within the Office of the Provost, reporting directly to the Associate Provost for Academic Budgetary Affairs. In close partnership with the Director of Finance Data Management, this position plays a central role in advancing the University’s long-range financial planning efforts. The Director collaborates with the other director to update and refine planning assumptions—particularly those related to enrollment forecasting, tuition modeling, and multi-year academic financial projections—and jointly validates the assumptions that underpin the University’s revenue-sharing framework, including factors such as school of instruction and school of record. The role also provides comprehensive budget modeling support to the academic units reporting to the Provost and contributes to the development and continuous improvement of the models, tools, and templates used throughout the academic budget planning process. The Director will support school administrators and Deans as the University enters a comprehensive three-year review of the incentive-based budget model. This review may include updates to existing financial models, refinements to funds-flow methodologies, and adjustments to underlying planning assumptions. The successful candidate will collaborate with schools and academic departments to provide critical financial insights that inform data-driven decision-making. The role manages the flow of resources between the Schools and the Office of the Provost and conducts analyses, projections, and reporting on resource allocation and activity for operating units within the Provost’s portfolio. The Director also develops financial reports and models to support strategic initiatives and respond to analytical requests from University leadership. Serving as a key liaison to University financial offices, schools, and academic support units, the Director, Academic Finance fosters a culture of transparency, partnership, and outstanding customer service on behalf of the Office of the Provost.

Requirements

Higher education experience
Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business administration, or a related field
Minimum of 5+ years of progressive experience in financial management, budgeting, and fiscal analysis, with a demonstrated track record of success in a leadership capacity
Advanced financial modeling, forecasting, and long-range planning expertise, including enrollment, tuition, and multi-year academic budget models
Proficiency with enterprise financial systems, including ERP platforms, Hyperion Planning, Oracle EPM Cloud, and Smart View, as well as advanced Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
Strong analytical and data visualization capabilities, producing clear, actionable insights for senior leadership and governing bodies
Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex financial concepts for diverse academic and administrative audiences
Deep knowledge of higher education financial regulations, compliance standards, and incentive-based budgeting frameworks
Strategic, solutions-oriented thinker with a track record of improving financial processes, strengthening data integrity, and supporting institutional decision-making
Must be able to work at a computer workstation for extended periods of time.
This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in person.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of eight years of progressive experience in financial management, budgeting, and fiscal analysis, with a demonstrated track record of success in a leadership capacity
Master’s degree

Responsibilities

Financial Modeling & Resource Allocation Partner with the Director of Finance Data Management to transform budget planning financial models into robust decision-support tools, including the development of school-level enrollment and tuition revenue models that inform the University’s long-range financial plan.
Provide strategic, data-driven recommendations that align resource allocation with academic priorities and institutional goals.
Support the Budget Office in the School of Instruction/School of Record (SOI/SOR) allocation process by validating critical data inputs—including course credits, enrollments, faculty labor distributions, and funding exceptions.
Provide oversight of formula-based allocations, including F&A, tuition remission, summer school, and online course allocations.
Budget Strategy, Analysis & Reporting Shape and monitor institutional budget strategies that align with the University’s long-range vision, identifying opportunities to strengthen financial performance, enhance resource utilization, and support academic excellence.
Lead key components of the annual operating budget cycle, including preparation of executive-level budget meeting materials, reconciliation of school and unit submissions, and collaboration with the Budget Office to refine and communicate budget guidelines.
Evaluate school and unit requests for additional funding, conducting financial and strategic analyses to assess feasibility, alignment with institutional priorities, and long-term budget impact.
Develop preliminary recommendations—supported by clear rationale—for senior leadership review.
Conduct sophisticated fiscal analyses—including variance analysis, budget-to-actual monitoring, forecasting, and multi-year trend evaluation—and synthesize insights for senior leadership and governing bodies.
Develop and deliver high-impact reports, dashboards, and board-level presentations.
Compile and analyze academic budget data and actual activity to support Provost-level planning for current and future fiscal years.
Stakeholder Collaboration & Advisory Support Serve as a strategic partner to senior leadership, school administrators, academic budget managers, and cross-functional teams, providing expert financial guidance, modeling support, and solutions to complex budget challenges.
Evaluate financial proposals for faculty hiring to ensure alignment with funding strategies, startup commitments, and long-term budget implications.
Represent the Office of the Provost on University committees, advancing institutional planning efforts and promoting best practices in higher education finance.
Financial Stewardship & Compliance Oversee the financial management of endowed chairs, ensuring rigorous compliance with donor intent and effective budgeting for vacant positions.
Maintain deep knowledge of higher education and nonprofit financial regulations, compliance standards, and emerging best practices.
Process Improvement & Systems Development Partner with the Budget Office to modernize and optimize budget processes, strengthen data integrity, and streamline financial operations.
Contribute to the design and implementation of an enhanced budget system, including modules for long-range planning, revenue allocation, and advanced reporting capabilities.
Perform additional duties and lead or support special projects, as assigned.