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Associate Director for Budget and Finance

Job Type: Officer of Administration
Bargaining Unit:
Regular/Temporary: Regular
End Date if Temporary:
Hours Per Week: 35
Standard Work Schedule:
Building:
Salary Range: $110,000 - $125,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director for Budget and Finance, the Associate Director focuses on providing high-level financial and strategic support for the Law School’s budget planning and financial operations.

Responsibilities

Budget Management, Financial Reporting, and Oversight:
- Oversees the Law School program and unit operating budgets, serving as the primary liaison for departmental budget submissions, quarterly reviews, and financial reporting. Prepares and distributes weekly and monthly financial reports and materials for quarterly Departmental budget meetings.
- Ensures accurate transaction coding, interprets University financial reports and related data, including personnel and student account information. Collaborate with managers to maintain compliance and avoid budget overruns.
- Partners with the Associate Dean for Finance, Strategy, and Operations and the Executive Director for Budget and Finance on the development and review of the annual budget submission.
- Works collaboratively with the Assistant Director of Grants to develop and forecast budgets for the Law School centers’ sponsored projects.
- Ensures that required budget and fund balance entries are recorded accurately in the appropriate system. Compiles and analyzes financial reports and supporting materials for annual budget submission and year-end close.
- Maintains and modifies the long-range forecasting model for the central School budget, incorporating policy assumptions and external variables.

Financial Operations:
- Executes month‑end and year‑end closing processes, including accruals, reconciliations, and preparation of required journal entries to ensure accurate financial reporting.
- Collaborates with the Donor Relations team to establish new endowment and current-use gift chartfields for the Law School, and provides fund balance and usage information as needed.

Ad Hoc Analysis:
- Collaborates with the senior leadership by developing ad hoc analysis and reporting related to funding requests and special financial projects.

Other:
- Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree, preferably in accounting or finance, plus 4-6 years of related experience required. Demonstrated comprehensive financial reporting responsibility in a large, complex organization required. Experience in higher education preferred. Strong financial analysis and modeling skills, including variance analysis, and financial statement analysis required. Strong computer proficiency (Word and Excel), including an in-depth knowledge of spreadsheet design, required. Must be highly detail-oriented with strong organizational and problem-solving skills, and have the ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments simultaneously. Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including active listening skills, plus the ability to work closely and effectively with a diverse group of University administrators, as well as working independently and collaboratively as a team member is essential. The successful candidate must be a strategic thinker, with an open and collaborative style that encourages teamwork and cooperation. Must demonstrate the use of tact and discretion and be able to handle confidential information with excellent judgment. Must have a passion for excellent customer service and commitment to exceptional quality. Must be able to work with diverse constituencies and support an inclusive work environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

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