Financial Planning and Analysis Director
Company:
Assumption University
Job Location:
, Massachusetts
Category:
Business and Financial Services
Type:
Full-Time
Job Details
Description
The Financial Planning and Analysis Director plays a strategic leadership role in ensuring the University's financial health, sustainability, and operational efficiency. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Finance, this position is responsible for developing the University's annual budget, reviewing spending, providing insightful financial reports, and managing the University's payables processes. This position is critical in advancing the University's long-term vision for growth and sustainability as outlined in Thrive, the University's strategic plan. The Director ensures that budget and payables processes align with the institution's strategic goals of educational excellence, access, and sustainable financial stewardship. The Director will collaborate closely with senior leadership, department heads, and key stakeholders to deliver in-depth financial analysis, robust forecasting, and resource allocation recommendations.
ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Budget Planning and Management:
QUALIFICATIONS:
MENTAL DEMANDS: The mental demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Examples of mental demands include reading (documents), detailed work, confidentiality, language, math, reasoning, oral communications, written communications, customer contact, multiple concurrent tasks, constant interruptions, and performing calculations when necessary.
About Assumption University:
Assumption University, a Catholic institution sponsored by the Augustinians of the Assumption and rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition, strives to form graduates known for critical intelligence, thoughtful citizenship and compassionate service. We pursue these ambitious goals through a curriculum grounded in the liberal arts and extending to the domain of professional studies. Enlivened by the Catholic affirmation of the harmony of faith and reason, we aim, by the pursuit of the truth, to transform the minds and hearts of students. The university is dedicated to being an inclusive institution and continues to become more diverse. Assumption welcomes all who shares its goals. Assumption University is part of Higher Education Consortium of Central Massachusetts.
Qualifications
Education
Required
Bachelors or better in Accounting or related field.
Description
The Financial Planning and Analysis Director plays a strategic leadership role in ensuring the University's financial health, sustainability, and operational efficiency. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Finance, this position is responsible for developing the University's annual budget, reviewing spending, providing insightful financial reports, and managing the University's payables processes. This position is critical in advancing the University's long-term vision for growth and sustainability as outlined in Thrive, the University's strategic plan. The Director ensures that budget and payables processes align with the institution's strategic goals of educational excellence, access, and sustainable financial stewardship. The Director will collaborate closely with senior leadership, department heads, and key stakeholders to deliver in-depth financial analysis, robust forecasting, and resource allocation recommendations.
ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Budget Planning and Management:
- Lead the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of the University's annual budget, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
- Analyze financial data to identify trends, variances, and areas for cost optimization, recommending adjustments to enhance financial performance.
- Collaborate with academic and administrative departments to develop and analyze budget requests, ensuring compliance with institutional goals and fiscal responsibility.
- Provide leadership in financial forecasting to support strategic planning and long-term resource allocation.
- Regularly review and analyze spending against budgetary plans, preparing variance reports and recommending corrective actions.
- Direct and supervise the accounts payable function, ensuring efficient processing, compliance with policies, and accuracy of payments.
- Act as a backup for critical accounts payable functions when necessary.
- Develop and deliver comprehensive financial reports, dashboards, and presentations to senior leadership.
- Provide actionable insights and data-driven recommendations to improve financial outcomes and operational efficiency.
- Perform detailed trend analysis to identify opportunities for cost savings and improved resource utilization.
- Develop financial reports that track progress against key performance indicators outlined in Thrive, providing actionable insights for leadership on financial health, enrollment-driven revenue trends, and resource allocation efficiency.
- Ensure all budgetary and payable processes adhere to University policies, best practices, and regulatory requirements.
- Lead process improvement initiatives that foster innovation, adaptability, and strategic alignment with Assumption's commitment to thoughtful risk-taking and long-term growth.
- Act as a strategic partner to University departments, assisting them in understanding and managing budget constraints and maximizing financial resources.
- Collaborate with cross-divisional teams to ensure financial reporting and budget recommendations support the University's strategic implementation metrics and action plans.
- Communicate complex financial information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must be willing to contribute actively to the mission of the University as well as show respect for the Catholic and Assumptionist identity of Assumption University.
- Strong understanding of accounting principles, budget management, and financial reporting practices.
- Demonstrated expertise with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, budget development tools, and financial software.
- Proven analytical skills with the ability to identify trends, forecast outcomes, and recommend actionable strategies.
- Ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, for data analysis and reporting.
- Proactive problem-solving approach and a collaborative mindset.
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in financial management, budgeting, and accounts payable.
- Experience in higher education or a similarly complex nonprofit environment is highly preferred.
- Leadership experience with managing teams and implementing process improvements.
MENTAL DEMANDS: The mental demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Examples of mental demands include reading (documents), detailed work, confidentiality, language, math, reasoning, oral communications, written communications, customer contact, multiple concurrent tasks, constant interruptions, and performing calculations when necessary.
About Assumption University:
Assumption University, a Catholic institution sponsored by the Augustinians of the Assumption and rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition, strives to form graduates known for critical intelligence, thoughtful citizenship and compassionate service. We pursue these ambitious goals through a curriculum grounded in the liberal arts and extending to the domain of professional studies. Enlivened by the Catholic affirmation of the harmony of faith and reason, we aim, by the pursuit of the truth, to transform the minds and hearts of students. The university is dedicated to being an inclusive institution and continues to become more diverse. Assumption welcomes all who shares its goals. Assumption University is part of Higher Education Consortium of Central Massachusetts.
Qualifications
Education
Required
Bachelors or better in Accounting or related field.
