Budget Director/Senior Financial Advisor

POSITION SUMMARY

The Budget Director/Senior Financial Advisor serves as the University's principal budget officer and financial planning lead. This strategic role provides high-level support to senior university leadership, including the CFO, Vice Presidents, Deans, and other Finance Team members, in managing and analyzing institutional finances. The Budget Director/Senior Financial Advisor is instrumental in ensuring financial sustainability and excellence through multi-year budget planning, forecasting, variance analysis, and oversight of the University's operating, capital, and restricted fund budgets. The individual will also guide continuous business process improvements and support data-driven decisions in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape.

TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of the University's annual operating budget, capital budget, and restricted funds.
• Provide regular budget updates, strategic insights, and operational guidance to senior management.
• Collaborate with departments to manage budgets, resolve variances, and ensure compliance with university policies.
• Compose and maintain budget policies, guidelines, and instructions for the campus community.
• Lead, train, and support the Budget Managers Team.
• Conduct financial analyses related to special interest areas including student labor, adjunct and overload faculty, and departmental expenditures.
• Facilitate multi-year strategic budget planning, long-range forecasting, and sensitivity analyses.
• Analyze revenue and cost drivers including enrollment projections, tuition discount rates, compensation increases, and benefits costs.
• Maintain Business Intelligence tools and forecasting software to enhance reporting and decision-making.
• Prepare and deliver financial reports for the Board of Trustees Finance Committee and internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate budget reporting with the Provost and academic departments.
• Oversee and report on cash flow projections, drawdowns of federal grants, and federal/state reporting (e.g., SEFA).
• Create and reconcile journal entries, prepaid schedules, and fixed asset tracking for audit preparation.
• Provide oversight and support for accounts payable tasks and vendor payments including Amex, utilities, and insurance.
• Serve as primary approver for requisitions and procurement-related transactions.
• Reconcile the University’s Amazon account and provide training on accounts payable systems.
• Support ongoing ERP/business system improvements (Ellucian, CX, etc.).
• Manage the Budgeting and Planning website portal, including calendars, policies, and instructions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ph.D. in Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a related field preferred; Master's degree required.
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive experience in higher education financial planning or budget management.
• Demonstrated success managing complex budget processes and providing strategic financial counsel to senior leadership.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel, financial modeling tools, and ERP systems (e.g., Ellucian).
• Experience working with restricted funds, grants, and federal reporting.
• Familiarity with higher education institutional research and planning frameworks.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• A working knowledge of university budget structures, fund accounting, and capital planning.
• Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to a range of stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proven leadership ability in managing teams and cross-departmental projects.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines and adapt to changing circumstances.

SUPERVISION

• This position reports to the Vice President of Administration & Finance

SALARY

• $75,000 annually, plus benefits!

POSITION STATUS

• Full-time, in-person required with some flexibility

SETTING

Huston-Tillotson University evolved from Huston-Tillotson College which was founded in 1875 and is Austin's first institution of higher education. The University is an independent, liberal arts, church-related, historically black institution located on a 23-acre tree-lined campus near downtown Austin, Texas. The University is affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the United Church of Christ, and the United Negro College Fund. Undergraduate, four-year degrees in business, education, the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences are awarded.  Huston-Tillotson University is multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-faith, and welcomes students of all ages, races, and religions.  While faculty members are engaged in a range of activities, their primary focus is teaching. The student-teacher ratio is 15 to 1, which allows an environment of personalized attention to students.