Director of Finance and Budget

Cornell Research & Innovation announces a search for a Director of Finance & Budget. Well-qualified candidates will be strategic thinkers possessing strong experience with complex budget development, long-range financial planning and forecasting, and translation of financial data into clear and cohesive reports within a higher education environment. As Director of Finance & Budget, you will provide financial leadership for multi-million dollar operating and capital budgets that support transformative research initiatives. You will lead a team of high-performing finance professionals and will partner closely with divisional and university leadership to ensure prudent stewardship of resources, strong decision support, and clear communication of financial performance and strategy.Key responsibilities include:Overseeing and managing Research & Innovation’s annual capital and operating budgeting process, managing all aspects and components of the budget, ensuring accuracy and compliance with University Budget Office (UBO) guidelines, and providing guidance to administrative directors in the development of complex research center budgets Partnering with administrative units and research centers to develop, manage, and monitor operating budgets across a range of financial activities and funding sourcesImplementing and managing UBO initiatives, serving as Research & Innovation’s principal liaison to the University Budget Officers Group (UBOG), and representing the division in all budget planning and policy discussionsManaging and producing divisional financial reporting, monthly budget‑to‑actual analyses, and forecastingCollaborating annually to prepare and publish the institution-wide Cornell Annual Research Expenditure (ARE) financial reportingLeading and developing finance staff, clearly communicating expectations, providing performance feedback, and fostering continuous growth and satisfactionDriving positive change by identifying, designing, and implementing process improvements to enhance and innovate financial support servicesAs part of the Cornell community, you will help foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.About UsCornell Research & Innovation enables and advances the University’s research priorities as well as research activities of Cornell colleges, schools, and research centers, institutes, and laboratories. The Office of the Vice Provost for Research houses the R&I Finance & Budget Team, which includes a Post Award Finance Group and a Service Facility Finance Group. R&I Finance provides leadership in budgeting, financial reporting, and post‑award financial management. The team delivers comprehensive financial support to research‑enabling administrative units—including the Office of Sponsored Programs, the Office of Research Integrity and Assurance, Pre‑Award Research Operations, Research Development, Innovation, and R&I operating units—as well as to faculty and researchers, with a particular focus on complex or multidisciplinary research centers. R&I Finance, in collaboration with central partners, oversees research expenditure reporting and advances institution‑wide financial initiatives across Research & Innovation.What We NeedSend us a cover letter and resume outlining your interest in this position and explaining how your experience and qualifications match the position requirements. Your letter is an important component of your application. ​Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.When evaluating your candidacy, we will look for evidence of the following:Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience7-10 years of experience in financial management, reporting, analysis, forecasting, and complex budget development and monitoring, especially within higher educationExperience supervising and developing staff, including serving as a mentor and guiding staff through changeExcellent customer service skills and demonstrated ability to communicate with a broad range of people at different organizational levels Demonstrated attention to detail, organizational skills, and prioritization skillsExperience connecting inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing practices to business goalsProven ability to interpret and apply policy and procedures consistently and thoughtfullyAbility to work quickly and effectively under pressure and to use good judgment in accomplishing matters that are urgent, sensitive, or confidentialProven leadership skills, including the ability to negotiate, advocate with tact and diplomacy, and work effectively as part of a teamComfortable working in an environment where change in process and procedures is the normAbility to synthesize and translate financial data and institutional requirements clearly and concisely for different audiencesAdditionally, although not required, we would like to see clear evidence of:Master’s degree (e.g., MBA) and/or CPA or additional education or training in finance or accountingSignificant prior work experience in higher education, including knowledge and understanding of sponsored research environments, administration of restricted gifts and endowment income, and management of institutional commitmentsExperience using systems utilized by Cornell, including Longview Budget System, Kuali Financial System, Oracle Analytics Server, and WorkdayExperience implementing new systems and financial reporting dashboardsRewards and BenefitsThis position is located in Ithaca, New York on the campus of Cornell University. The position is eligible for a hybrid working arrangement with work on campus required at least three days per week. Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions, we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell.Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell.University Job Title:Mgr Finance IIIJob Family:Fin/Budget/PlanningLevel:HPay Rate Type:SalaryPay Range:$143,454.00 - $175,332.00Remote Option Availability:HybridCompany:EndowedContact Name:Kathy McKeeContact Email:View email address on click.appcast.io Titles and Pay Ranges:Non-Union PositionsNoted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:Prior relevant work or industry experienceEducation level to the extent education is relevant to the positionUnique applicable skillsAcademic DisciplineTo learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.Union PositionsThe hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.Current Employees:If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.Online Submission Guidelines:Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.Employment Assistance:For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email View email address on click.appcast.io you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice View phone number on click.appcast.io, or email at View email address on click.appcast.io that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing View email address on click.appcast.io to Applicants:Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.EEO Statement:Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.2026-03-27SummaryLocation: Ithaca (Main Campus)Type: Full time