Finance & Budget Director

The School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) seeks applications for the position of Director of Finance and Budget. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Administration, Finance, and Planning, and managing a staff of three finance professionals, the Director is tasked with oversight of the entire financial portfolio of the School—the single largest and most complicated academic department budget on campus, totaling in excess of $95 million per annum—and entails primary responsibility for budgeting, forecasting, monitoring, and reporting on a wide range of endowed funds, term funds, general funds, grants, and sponsored contracts.

 

The Director oversees development of the School’s operating budget, working with a wide range of constituents and stakeholders at SPIA and across the University. In addition, the Director develops and prepares a range of detailed and high-level budgets, budget summaries, and budget-related recommendations to the SPIA Dean’s Office and works closely with the central university's operating budget director. In collaboration with SPIA centers and programs—and in close consultation with the Dean, Vice Dean and Associate Dean—the Director develops budgets and budget agreements based on extensive analysis and modeling of spending trends, planned initiatives, and projected fund sources.

 

The Director assists the Dean and Associate Dean of Administration, Finance, and Planning with special projects that vary widely and have included: estimating start-up costs for a proposed center or program; preparing financial "what if" scenarios for various spending proposals; making change of staff and spending recommendations for core projects; evaluating return-on-investment for strategic initiatives; and analyzing tuition and stipend outlays in support of new policies.

 

The Director conducts extensive reviews of SPIA policies and procedures to ensure compliance with current university, GAAP, and IRS requirements. Makes modifications to School policies as needed and initiates new polices when required. Participates in auditing activities and any necessary responses.

 

With School-wide authority for all funds, the Director analyzes various reports throughout the year to verify that expenses are allocated properly and that necessary funding is available. Explores income and expense trends across the School for possible savings and to recommend possible consolidation of efforts, economies of scale, and other efficiencies. Prepares worksheets and summaries to explain account activity and drafts recommendations to the Dean, Associate Dean, senior administrators, faculty and other stakeholders.

 

The Director plays an instrumental role in SPIA’s stewardship activities. Reviews Deed of Gift agreements on funds allocated to the School and makes recommendations to the Dean and Associate Dean for Finance and Administration for use of gift funds based on an evaluation of spending, donor restrictions/requests, and School needs—often consulting with the General Counsel's office and the Office of the Provost.

 

The Director is responsible for review and approval of high dollar disbursements of funds from SPIA accounts, as well as contracts with outside vendors initiated by SPIA centers and programs in excess of $25K. Works closely with requestors, University Procurement, General Counsel, and financial management office colleagues to resolve questions and concerns.

 

The Director works in coordination with other academic departments and units, attending numerous School and University administrative meetings, and interacting closely with members of the University’s offices of Finance & Treasury, Provost, Dean of Faculty, ORPA, General Counsel, and Facilities on a wide range of matters.

The Director must be a proactive and strategic leader with a proven customer service orientation and a sincere commitment to hands-on problem solving; demonstrated ability to manage and motivate staff and facilitate teamwork; ability to manage multiple projects and assignments with competing deadlines and effectively delegate workload; exhibited high level of tact, discretion and diplomacy; exceptional communication skills; capacity to set and achieve goals and assess impacts/outcomes; awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion and demonstrated ability to implement and support related measures in day-to-day work; ability to develop and manage relationships with a wide range of constituents and stakeholders; capacity to distill highly complex financial matters and represent them clearly and succinctly to a broad audience.

 

A bachelor’s degree and ten or more years of directly related experience are required. A masters degree (MBA, MPA, etc.) and/or CPA is strongly preferred.

 

Excellent working knowledge of MS Office suite software is required—particularly the use of Excel pivot tables. Demonstrated PowerPoint skills are also necessary. Familiarity with and use of databases (Access, etc.) is strongly preferred—as is the use of Tableau, other data visualization programs, and Hyperion Budgeting. Experience with enterprise resource planning tools and Oracle/PeopleSoft is also strongly preferred.

 

Exceptional analytical abilities, broad knowledge of budgeting and financial management, especially for a multifaceted organization, and familiarity with higher education budgeting is critical. An appreciation for academic culture and an understanding of complex higher education institutions is essential.

 

Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), experience handling accounts payable, receivables, and allocation of income; experience with establishing and refining account structures are all necessary. Familiarity with auditing is very helpful.

 

We at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs believe that it is vital to cultivate an environment that embraces and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion — fundamental to the success of our education and research mission.  This commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment and hiring as we actively seek colleagues of exceptional ability who represent a broad range of viewpoints, experiences and value systems, and who share Princeton University's dedication to excellence.

 

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. EEO IS THE LAW

36.25

No

Yes

180 days

No

No

No

Director

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