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.
Qualifications
- 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.
Skills Required
- Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a related field
- 5-7 years of progressive experience in higher education financial planning or budget management
- Advanced proficiency with Excel and ERP systems like Ellucian
- Experience working with restricted funds, grants, and federal reporting
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills
What We Do
Huston-Tillotson University is a faith-based historically black college and university (HBCU) in Austin, Texas, offering liberal arts and STEM education. It is committed to educating a diverse community and cultivating innovative leaders dedicated to academic excellence and service.
