Director of Financial Services

Franklin University•Columbus, OH

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Franklin University is hiring a Director, Financial Services to provide operational oversight of the University’s budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, financial analysis, and financial planning processes and systems. The Director coordinates the annual budget process, ongoing forecasting and management reporting, supervises the Financial Analyst and Collections Analyst, and develops analyses to support University decision-making. The role evaluates financial performance, identifies trends, risks, and opportunities, and communicates financial and operational information clearly to University leadership. The Director supports recurring Financial Services operations, including investment administration and reporting support, insurance renewal coordination, collections reporting, and related activities. The position follows an on-site hybrid work schedule and requires flexibility to meet departmental and University needs. Occasional evening and weekend availability may be required for sensitive or time-sensitive student matters, and some travel may be expected.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, financial planning, or financial analysis.
Advanced analytical and financial modeling skills, including working with large datasets, using SQL or other query tools to extract and analyze data, and identifying trends, key drivers, and emerging risks.
Experience leading or coordinating budget development, forecasting, financial reporting, and variance analysis activities.
Experience working with budgeting, planning, reporting, or business intelligence systems.
Supervisory, team leadership, or project leadership experience.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and communicate financial information clearly to financial and non-financial audiences.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
Higher education finance experience.
Experience administering budgeting, forecasting, planning, or reporting software.
Experience supporting or coordinating investment reporting, insurance administration, collections operations, regulatory reporting, or related Financial Services functions.

Responsibilities

Analyze key budget and forecast drivers, including enrollment-based tuition revenue, discounts, salaries, benefits, and operating expenses, and identify significant trends, risks, and opportunities.
Coordinate and administer the annual operating budget process, including timelines, departmental submissions, review and validation of inputs, model updates, and budget communications.
Review departmental budget submissions for completeness, accuracy, and alignment with University priorities.
Develop and review budget variance analyses, financial projections, and management reports to evaluate performance and support decision-making.
Prepare and maintain forecast models by reviewing actual results, evaluating assumption changes, and incorporating known risks and opportunities.
Support multi-year financial planning, scenario modeling, and related financial analysis.
Develop and maintain financial reports, dashboards, analytical datasets, and management reporting tools using data from multiple University systems.
Administer the University’s budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting platform, including cost center structures, reporting hierarchies, system configuration, data integrity, and recurring reporting processes.
Develop or review financial models and projections for new program proposals, University initiatives, and operational reviews.
Oversee completion and review of recurring financial survey, accreditation, regulatory, and industry reporting requests prepared by the Financial Analyst.
Recommend improvements to reporting tools, budget processes, system workflows, and recurring Financial Services procedures.
Supervise the Financial Analyst and Collections Analyst, including setting priorities, managing workloads, reviewing key work products, and supporting professional development.
Oversee staff financial reporting activities and review key reports for accuracy and completeness.
Ensure key Financial Services processes are documented and cross-trained to maintain continuity and effective team operations.
Coordinate recurring Financial Services processes, including investment administration and reporting support, insurance renewal coordination, and collections reporting.
Support financial analysis for strategic projects, new initiatives, and ongoing operations as assigned.