Director of Financial Services

Franklin University, a private, independent, accredited, nonprofit university located in Columbus, Ohio, invites applications for the position of Director, Financial Services. 

Founded in 1902, Franklin University has built its reputation on removing barriers to higher education for ambitious adults balancing educational goals with work, family, and other commitments. Accredited and nonprofit, Franklin is recognized as an innovator in online education and serves students through applied undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs designed to support career advancement and lifelong learning. More than 50,000 Franklin alumni live and work around the world, making meaningful contributions to their professions and communities. 

Position Summary

The Director, Financial Services provides operational oversight for the University’s budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, financial analysis, and financial planning processes and systems. This position coordinates the annual budget process, ongoing forecasting and management reporting, supervises the Financial Analyst and Collections Analyst, and develops financial analysis to support University decision-making.

The role serves as a key resource for evaluating financial performance, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities, and translating financial and operational data into clear information for University leadership.

Responsibilities

Budget Administration and Forecasting

• Analyze key budget and forecast drivers, including enrollment-based tuition revenue, discounts, salaries, benefits, and operating expenses, and identify significant trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Coordinate and administer the annual operating budget process, including budget timelines, departmental submissions, review and validation of budget inputs, model updates, and budget communications.
• Review departmental budget submissions for completeness, accuracy, and alignment with University priorities.
• Develop and review budget variance analyses, financial projections, and management reporting to evaluate performance and support decision-making.
• Prepare and maintain forecast models by reviewing actual results, evaluating changes in assumptions, and incorporating known risks and opportunities into projected financial performance.
• Support multi-year financial planning, scenario modeling, and related financial analysis

Financial Reporting, Analytics, and System Administration

•  Develop and maintain financial reports, dashboards, analytical datasets, and management reporting tools using data from multiple University systems.
• Administer the University’s budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting platform, including cost center structures, reporting hierarchies, system configuration, data integrity, and recurring reporting processes.
• Develop or review financial models and projections for new program proposals, University initiatives, and operational reviews.
• Oversee completion and review of recurring financial survey, accreditation, regulatory, and industry reporting requests prepared by the Financial Analyst.
• Recommend improvements to reporting tools, budget processes, system workflows, and recurring Financial Services procedures.

Staff Leadership and Operational Oversight

• Supervise the Financial Analyst and Collections Analyst, including setting priorities, managing workloads, reviewing key work products, and supporting professional development.
• Oversee financial reporting activities performed by staff and review key reports for accuracy and completeness.
• Ensure key Financial Services processes are documented and cross-trained to maintain continuity and support effective team operations.

Financial Services Administration

• Provide oversight and coordination for recurring Financial Services processes, including investment administration and reporting support, insurance renewal coordination, collections reporting, and related operational activities.
• Support financial analysis for strategic projects, new initiatives, and ongoing operations as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or related field.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, financial planning, or financial analysis.
• Advanced analytical and financial modeling skills, including working with large datasets, using SQL or other query tools to extract and analyze data, identifying trends, key drivers, and emerging risks
• Experience leading or coordinating budget development, forecasting, financial reporting, and variance analysis activities.
• Experience working with budgeting, planning, reporting, or business intelligence systems.
• Supervisory, team leadership, or project leadership experience.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and communicate financial information clearly to financial and non-financial audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• Higher education finance experience.
• Experience administering budgeting, forecasting, planning, or reporting software.
• Experience supporting or coordinating investment reporting, insurance administration, collections operations, regulatory reporting, or related Financial Services functions.

Additional Information

This position follows an on-site hybrid work schedule and requires flexibility to meet departmental and university needs. Occasional evening and weekend availability may be required to address sensitive or time-sensitive student matters, and some travel may be expected. 

Franklin offers a competitive benefits package, incentive program, and free parking. In addition, Franklin provides free undergraduate tuition for employees and eligible family members, graduate tuition assistance for full-time employees and eligible family members, and a discount on doctoral tuition for employees. 

Franklin University is committed to creating a respectful and inclusive educational and workplace environment. Franklin does not discriminate on the basis of age, religion, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, immigration status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or familial status, disability, or veteran or military status.