University Budget Director - University of Puget Sound

Another Source•Tacoma, WA

14d•$115,000 - $130,000

About The Position

Another Source’s client, University of Puget Sound, is recruiting a University Budget Director to join their team in Tacoma, WA. Here’s a little about the position University of Puget Sound is recruiting for: The Office of Finance delivers a comprehensive range of services to the campus community, including payment processing (accounts payable), accounting, budgeting, tax compliance, financial analysis, and reporting. In addition, the Office plays a vital role in enhancing the university’s financial health through the strategic management of investment assets and debt capacity, as well as by developing cost-effective purchasing strategies that support long-term sustainability. Learn more about the University of Puget Sound’s Office of Finance here: https://www.pugetsound.edu/office-finance What’s in it for you: University of Puget Sound offers a comprehensive compensation and benefit package. Benefits: https://www.pugetsound.edu/sites/default/files/file/final_summary-of-2020-benefits-for-exempt-staff_ju_0.pdf The anticipated annual base salary range for this position is $115,000 - $130,000 based on experience. About the Role: The University Budget Director leads the University’s financial planning and budgeting functions, including coordination of the annual operating budget, stewardship of the long-range financial planning (LRP) model, and delivery of strategic financial analysis to senior leadership, Cabinet, and the Board of Trustees. Working in close partnership with academic and administrative leaders, the Budget Director develops integrated, forward-looking financial models that reflect a tuition-dependent, enrollment-sensitive operating environment and incorporate endowment draw strategies, balance sheet considerations, and multi-year sustainability planning. The role translates complex financial inputs into clear projections, scenario analyses, and variance reporting that directly support institutional decision-making and long-term financial health. This position exercises significant independent judgment. Accuracy, rigor, and sound judgment are essential, as analyses produced by this role directly inform institutional strategy, resource allocation, and Board-level decisions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a related field; CPA preferred
Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in financial planning, budgeting, accounting, or related functions, preferably within a private, not-for-profit higher education environment
Demonstrated expertise in multi-year financial modeling within a tuition- and enrollment-driven operating model, including scenario and sensitivity analysis
Working knowledge of endowment accounting, draw policies, and investment unitization, or the ability to quickly develop this expertise
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
Proven ability to collaborate effectively with academic, administrative, and governance stakeholders
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting complex financial information to senior leadership and boards
Advanced proficiency with Excel and related tools for financial modeling, analysis, and presentation
Experience working with enterprise systems (ERP, budgeting, or student information systems) and relational databases
Familiarity with business intelligence and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau) and core economic and financial concepts relevant to higher education

Nice To Haves

CPA license
Experience in a higher education or similarly complex non-profit organization.

Responsibilities

Financial Planning & Budgeting
Maintain and enhance the University’s long-range financial planning (LRP) model, ensuring alignment with institutional strategy and improving related tools and executive summaries
Identify internal and external trends, risks, and opportunities related to revenue, costs, and long-term sustainability, and support implementation of planning initiatives
Coordinate the annual budget development process, including building and loading budgets into PeopleSoft and supporting process improvements, streamlining, and automation
Develop a strong understanding of the University’s operating activities and balance sheet to inform planning and budgeting decisions
Partner with Human Resources to manage staffing, compensation, and contingency budgets, ensuring reconciliation between PeopleSoft HR and Financials
Oversee Budget Variance Reporting (BVR), including maintaining reports, reconciling PeopleSoft data with the LRP, coordinating projections from budget managers, and providing variance analysis to leadership and the Finance & Facilities Committee
Budget Coordination Areas
Net tuition, fees, and financial aid projections
Faculty and staff salary, wage, and benefits budgets (Educational & General)
University Relations and campaign-related quasi-endowment funding
Auxiliary Services budgets in collaboration with auxiliary leadership
Executive & Institutional Support
Provide financial analysis, projections, and FP&A support to the CFO, Cabinet, Budget Task Force, and Board committees, as needed
Endowment Management & Modeling
Collaborate with Finance to maintain a shared understanding of investment activity
Develop and maintain endowment financial models, including unitization concepts or similar structures
Oversee endowment payout projections for individual and pooled endowments
Financial Review & Fund Oversight
Perform selected financial reconciliations and reviews, including Commitment Control and General Ledger activity in PeopleSoft
Track presidential and other discretionary funds
Support ASUPS budget development, management, and reporting
Assist with student employment budgeting, compliance, and reporting
Monitor designated and restricted funds, communicating balances and availability to budget managers
Board, Committee & Project Support
Support the Finance & Facilities Committee and Board of Trustees by preparing financial projections, analyses, and budget materials
Assist with the annual Budget Task Force process
Lead special projects, conduct financial research, and prepare executive-level summaries as assigned
Deliver PeopleSoft budget training to new hires and campus partners, as needed