Senior Financial Analyst (43674)

Position Title: Senior Financial Analyst

Department Name: Finance & Administration

Position Reports To: Financial Planning and Analysis Director

FLSA STATUS:  Salaried

Salary Range: $90,000.00 - $100,000.00

Benefits: The University's comprehensive benefits program

BASIC FUNCTION AND SCOPE OF JOB:

The Senior Financial Analyst serves as a strategic finance partner responsible for translating complex financial and operational data into forward-looking insights that inform institutional decision-making.

This role goes beyond reporting and model maintenance. The Senior Analyst identifies structural drivers of financial performance, develops actionable recommendations, and proactively surfaces emerging risks and opportunities in a dynamic higher education environment.

The position partners closely with Finance leadership to strengthen the institution’s long-term financial sustainability.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Strategic Financial Analysis & Insight

• Identify root causes of financial variances and communicate implications to senior leadership.
• Translate trends in enrollment, compensation, and operating performance into strategic financial recommendations.
• Proactively identify structural risks and opportunities impacting institutional sustainability.
• Develop executive-ready financial narratives explaining “what changed” and “what it means.”

Advanced Forecasting & Scenario Modeling

• Own and continuously refine multi-year institutional financial projection models.
• Design scenario analyses (enrollment sensitivity, tuition pricing, compensation modeling, structural adjustments).
• Integrate operational KPIs into financial forecasts to improve leading-indicator accuracy.
• Continuously improve forecasting methodologies in response to business volatility.

Enrollment & Revenue Analytics

• Partner with Enrollment, Academic Affairs, and Institutional Research to translate student enrollment trends into forward-looking revenue projections.
• Analyze student mix shifts (new vs. continuing, program mix, modality, residency, partnership programs) and quantify financial impact.
• Develop and maintain tuition revenue models by cohort, term, and program.
• Conduct sensitivity analyses to model enrollment scenarios and their impact on financial position and liquidity.

Business Partnership

• Serve as a financial advisor to academic and operational leaders.
• Develop actionable recommendations to improve financial performance.
• Support strategic initiatives with financial impact modeling.
• Facilitate data-informed decision-making across departments.

ERP & Data Integration Leadership

• Ensure alignment between ERP financial data and projection models.
• Maintain robust account mapping structures and data integrity.
• Strengthen documentation to reduce institutional knowledge risk.
• Identify opportunities to automate reporting and improve data reliability.

Cash Flow & Liquidity Strategy Support

• Support rolling liquidity forecasts and working capital analysis.
• Model structural impacts of enrollment fluctuations and funding shifts.
• Assist in stress-testing financial assumptions.

The duties described are not intended to be all-inclusive and may include other related responsibilities as assigned to support departmental and organizational objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education requirement:
  • Bachelor’s in Finance, Accounting, Business, or Data Analytics required; Master's preferred
• Years of experience:
  • 5+ years FP&A or institutional finance experience
• Knowledge of:
  •  Advanced financial modeling expertise (multi-scenario, sensitivity analysis)
  • ERP experience (Banner/Colleague preferred)

• Direct job-related requirements:
  • Strong ability to translate data into executive-level insights
  • Experience integrating operational and financial data
  • Demonstrated ability to influence decision-making

• Skills and abilities:
  • Thinks beyond reporting and focuses on identifying underlying drivers of performance.
  • Naturally asks “What changed?” and “What does this mean for the institution?”
  • Is comfortable working with imperfect data and building structured models from complex inputs.
  • Can translate technical financial analysis into clear, actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders.
  • Balances attention to detail with big-picture thinking.
  • Is proactive in identifying financial risks and opportunities before they become urgent.
  • Builds scalable, well-documented models that reduce reliance on institutional memory.
  • Is comfortable partnering with Enrollment, Academic, and Administrative leaders.
  • Demonstrates sound judgment and discretion in executive-level discussions.

Supplemental Information

To apply: Please go to http://www.ggu.edu/jobs to submit an application, letter of interest, and a resume. In applying for a position, candidates sign a consent authorizing a broader inquiry which may include reference checks, a motor vehicle check, and a third-party background check.

 Golden Gate University is an equal employment opportunity employer. We support inclusive excellence and are committed to creating a safe and welcoming community for all. University policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion/creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, gender stereotyping, and gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, taking a protected leave (e.g., family medical or pregnancy leave), or on any other basis protected by applicable laws. The University has a strong commitment to the principles of diversity and inclusion, and to maintaining working and learning environments that reinforces these practices. The University welcomes and encourages applications from all demographics.