District Director of Budget & Planning

CCS Spokane • Spokane, WA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the District Director of Budget & Planning serves as the district’s senior leader for budget development, financial planning, forecasting, and fiscal decision support. This position provides strategic leadership for the Spokane Colleges’ operating and capital budget processes, long range financial planning, tuition and revenue forecasting, and districtwide financial analysis supporting institutional sustainability. The Director leads districtwide budget development and monitoring for Spokane Community College (SCC), Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC), and district operations; oversees financial planning models and scenario analysis; provides executive level analysis and recommendations to the Chancellor, Presidents, and the Board of Trustees; and ensures compliance with federal and state law, Washington Administrative Code, SBCTC requirements, district policies, and applicable accounting standards (GAAP/GASB). The District Director of Budget & Planning functions as a primary fiscal advisor to executive leadership and represents the district on statewide budget, finance, and planning councils.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, or related finance field from an accredited institution; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience managing or overseeing budget and accounting functions in a governmental, higher education or complex organizational environment.
• At least two years of supervisory experience managing multiple functions and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to develop financial models and forecasts to support institutional planning and decision making.
• Advanced knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and governmental accounting principles.
• Experience interpreting and applying complex rules, regulations, and applications of the State of Washington Office of Financial Management (OFM), State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Federal Grant guidance and the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) standards.
• Demonstrated proficiency extracting and analyzing data from ERP systems and financial reporting tools.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with individuals and other groups.
• Ability to present complex financial information to boards, executives, and non-financial audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a unionized environment.
• Ability to work with constant change and interruptions.
• 12-month position
• Position is exempt from Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Criminal background check is required.
• Ability to travel locally between campus sites as well as occasional out-of-town travel.
• Person hired must be able to provide acceptable documentation of U.S. Citizenship or lawful authorization to work in the United States.
• Must be able to successfully work in and promote a multicultural work and education environment.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Business, Public Administration or related field.
• Certification as a Public Accountant (CPA), Government Financial Manager (CGFM) or Management Accountant (CMA) or similar professional certification.
• Experience working in a Washington State community or technical college or another public agency.
• Knowledge of Washington State accounting policies and public finance regulations.
• Experience with PeopleSoft or similar integrated financial reporting systems.
• Demonstrated experience supervising a unionized workforce.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary advisor to the Chief Financial Officer on districtwide budgeting, financial planning, forecasting, and financial strategy.
• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of annual and long-range budgets, financial policies, and work processes to ensure efficient and effective financial services.
• Provide districtwide leadership for financial accounting, budgeting, reporting, revenue, and expense management across Spokane Colleges’ major reporting units.
• Forecast and project revenues and expenditures; monitor and analyze variances compared to authorized budget levels.
• Facilitate development of student fee proposals and budgets for SCC, SFCC and District Athletics.
• Oversee preparation of operating, capital, contracted programs, student funds and other required budgets.
• Prepare, organize, and present annual Board of Trustees budget materials and monthly budget to actual reports.
• Deliver budget and financial guidance to the Chancellor, Presidents, District Officers, administrators and other designated personnel.
• Support preparation and posting of financial revenue and expense data for annual financial statement.
• Maintain district accounting chart strings and combo codes; approve budget availability for personnel actions and purchasing transactions.
• Ensure integrity, accuracy, and GAAP compliance of financial data submitted to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and external auditors.
• Provide districtwide oversight of federal and state grants and contracts fiscal accounting, invoicing, draws, and required financial reporting to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Direct and support budget and accounting staff, including college level budget planning, transfers, accruals, and financial analysis.
• Supervise exempt and classified staff, including hiring recommendations, training, scheduling, evaluation, discipline, and grievance response, in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and district policies.
• Conduct training for Spokane Colleges employees on budget development, processes, and fiscal accountability.
• Attend district and statewide meetings as required.
• Ensure staff understand behavioral and performance expectations, receive timely feedback, and address performance issues promptly.
• Represent or act for the Chief Financial Officer as assigned.
• Model professional decorum and mutual respect in all personal interactions.
• Comply with district policies, procedures and directives, state and federal regulations, orders and statutes and collective bargaining agreements.
• Support and advance Spokane Colleges’ strategic plan and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental life and long term disability insurance benefits are provided as currently administered under the Public Employees Benefits Board
• TIAA-Cref retirement plan or WA State Retirement Plan.
• Vacation leave accrues at the rate of 14.67 hours per month (22 days per year)
• Sick leave accrues at the rate of 8 hours per month, effective upon employment.

What This Job Offers

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