Associate Director of Budget and Finance

At Leeds, we have an outstanding vantage point, and while we’re located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, we’re not talking about the scenery. Set in the heart of Boulder, Colorado—one of the nation’s most vibrant business communities—Leeds offers unparalleled access to world-changing entrepreneurs, national research institutions and award-winning faculty!

Operational Budget and Finance Management

• Lead the Leeds Budget department, by supervising budget staff; collaborating with and providing direction for unit budget managers; planning and implementing the annual budget process; administering the school operating budget; and ensuring the accuracy of Leeds budget data and reporting.
• Lead the Leeds A/P department, by supervising the A/P Manager; providing high-level direction for the A/P team; leading efficiency-improvement and standardization efforts, providing guidance on policy and raised issues; and ensuring proper maintenance of all accounting systems and processes.
• Ensure excellent communication and collaboration between Leeds budget and finance teams.
• Support Associate Deans, Chairs, Directors, and unit budget managers by providing sound budget and finance guidance and answering policy questions by interpreting and referring to appropriate Leeds and University guideline and policies.
• Maintain an in-depth understanding of each unit's unique budget and A/P circumstances and requirements, developing and maintaining strong working relationships with Leeds budget managers.
• Direct Leeds’ year-end process.
• Review and approve high-level transactions in CU Boulder financial systems.
• Guide the budget/AP's collaboration with the Leeds HR team, as well as the Leeds Advancement team.
• Independently manage deadlines, and ensure relevant deadlines are shared with the team and achieved.

Budget and A/P Team Supervision

• Provide oversight for and supervise Leeds budget team staff and the Leeds A/P Manager.
• Engage budget and finance teams in priority setting and collaborative problem-solving.
• Mentor, coach, and ensure professional development opportunities for budget and finance team staff; managing work allocation, training, problem resolution, performance management, and the building of an effective team dynamic.
• Provide leadership through regular communication including team meetings and regular one on one's, active goal setting, and routine coaching to model and promote behavior that aligns with school’s core values.

Budget Monitoring, Data Analysis, and Reporting

• Supervise budget team reporting and forecasting, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of routine and ad hoc reports.
• Lead budget meetings for Leeds unit budget managers.
• Monitor budgets for over- and under-spending; notify Budget and Finance Senior Director of potential issues.
• Compile and analyze finance and HR data at the request of Budget and Finance Senior Director and the Associate Dean of Administration.
• Prepare financial and HR reports for the Budget and Finance Senior Director, the Associate Dean of Administration, and unit budget managers.
• Work closely with unit budget managers to maintain accurate forecasting reports and budget projections.
• Assist Budget and Finance Senior Director in ongoing efforts to develop and streamline reports for unit budget managers and senior leadership.
• Support special budget and finance projects as needed.

Strategy and Process Improvement

• Provide strategic input for Leeds budget and finance operational processes and goals.
• Develop appropriate financial and administrative processes and policies to support operations, requiring a complex understanding of Leeds departments and leadership goals.
• Collaborate with Budget and Finance Senior Director on updates to budget and finance technology and new software implementation.
• Recommend changes to reporting formats, frequency, and scope to better achieve reporting objectives.

• This position offers a hybrid modality, with 3+ days per week in the office.
• Work hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
• Very rarely this position will require evening and weekend work hours as well as travel.

• The annual hiring range for this position is $104,000-$115,000. Relocation is available for eligible candidates.

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
• 4+ years’ relevant professional experience in finance, accounting, data analysis, and reporting.
• Experience with Human Resource Information Systems and Finance, and financial reporting software.
• 3+ years of experience in a supervisory position.
• Expert experience with ad hoc query tools such as Microsoft Excel, with the ability to manipulate large data sets from multiple sources and using macros, formulas, pivots, etc. to summarize and organize it appropriately, succinctly, and accurately.

• Demonstrated skills in financial and budgetary analysis.
• A thorough understanding of budget and accounting principles in a university system and the ability to perform complex financial analyses.
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills, specifically in regards to organizing, integrating information and making recommendations within a highly complex organization structure.
• Ability to successfully supervise multiple teams.
• Ability to lead, plan, organize and implement accounting and budgetary principles.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing in both informal and formal settings.
• Demonstrated ability to guide and inspire team towards organizational goals.
• Analytical skills including experience with computer office products and software used in financial analysis, gathering data, and preparation of high-quality presentations.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrable expertise in comparative data analysis, including charting and trending.
• Ability to maintain strong working relationships with faculty and staff amidst changing circumstances.
• Ability to independently manage deadlines for themselves and ability to effectively communicate deadlines to the team while ensuring the team's deadlines are met.
• Ability to interpret complex University policies and procedures, and to take the initiative to evaluate existing processes and procedures, and when necessary, revise or develop new procedures in order to increase operational efficiencies.
• Passionate about growing and developing employees to reach their full potential.
• Promotes creating an inclusive environment to reflect our values and vision at Leeds.

• 5+ years relevant experience in finance, accounting, data analysis, and reporting.
• 5+ supervising professional level employees.
• Experience with PeopleSoft HCM and Finance, and COGNOS financial reporting.
• Experience working in higher education or public sector financial management with a record of progressively broader responsibilities, including working knowledge of university administrative and fiscal policies and procedures and campus/university organizational structures.