Senior Director, Budget

Job Summary The Senior Director, Budget provides analytic and operational leadership across the Biological Sciences Division, collaborating with finance leadership, service delivery unit personnel, academic and administrative leaders across the BSD and the university, and finance and budget personnel at the Medical Center to advance both short and long term goals and priorities. This role leads and supports annual budget and monthly budget forecast processes, including development and management of recurring and non-recurring operating budgets. Manages the financial operations of operating and capital budgets, develops long- and short-term financial goals, business strategies, and financial forecasts for major service programs and initiatives, and coordinates quarterly and year-end operating budget reporting. Manages financial administrators who focus on annual operating and capital budgets as well as monthly forecasting. Responsibilities Leads and champions development, implementation, and monitoring of operating budget targets within the Biological Sciences Division, driving cross-functional collaboration and ensuring alignment with University-wide budgetary priorities. Works in close partnership with functional leaders to prepare high-level budget targets for key drivers of fiscal performance, including Clinical Research, Clinical Volumes, Federal and Non-Federal Awards, and spending assumptions. Coordinates budget planning calendar across the Biological Sciences Division, the University, and the Medical Center, synchronizing and integrating financial planning processes and collaborating effectively to ensure deadlines and priorities are achieved. In partnership with the Associate Dean of Facilities Services, oversees the development and financial management of capital budgets. Together with the Accounting and Facilities teams, reports on Capital investment preparation of financial estimates for capital planning. Manages financial administrators, providing leadership, guidance, and professional development opportunities that ensure critical analytical and budgetary support to decision-makers across units. Develops, interprets, and implements highly complex financial/accounting concepts and advanced techniques for financial planning and forecasting. Pioneers the development, implementation, and enforcement of standard operating procedures for annual and monthly budget processes to ensure consistency and accuracy; anticipates and integrates updates as needed. In partnership with the Strategy & Analytics team, prepares budget management reports and Department level packages that provide insight into the trends and assumptions in prepared budgets. Prepares a top-down budget with key drivers of assumptions to be leveraged to compare to the individual budgets prepared by departments and business units and provides an interim roll-up of the budget data throughout the budget build process. Promotes a dynamic culture of innovation and continuous improvement, including identifying, enhancing, and reimagining process efficiency and effectiveness with organization-wide impact. Forges strong partnerships, collaborating with senior management and stakeholders across the enterprise to gather, analyze, summarize, and prepare strategic recommendations regarding financial plans, operating forecasts, and other complex financial matters in support of a standard of operational excellence. Supports the development of long-range capital and operating budget forecasts to support strategic investments and future expansion. Works closely with information technology staff to coordinate and lead improvements and transformations on enterprise-wide budgeting and financial reporting systems and tools, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of the University. Engages with and leverages AI tools to optimize financial workflow, analysis, and decision making. Working in partnership with the accounting team, reports on variances between the approved budget and actual performance, and recommends strategies to drive achieving the planned budget and associated changes to processes to support its achievement. As part of managing professional staff, develops performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for direct subordinates. Manages financial staff through subordinates, usually other managers and professional staff. Establishes performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for the related departments managed. Executes functional business plans and contributes to the development of financial goals, strategies, plans, and policies for the unit. Performs other related work as needed. Minimum Qualifications College or university degree in a related field. Knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline. Preferred Qualifications Experience leading financial planning and budget processes. Healthcare experience. Preferred Competencies Ability to analyze complex financial data and create detailed reports. Expertise in financial modeling and quantitative analysis. Demonstrated understanding of advanced financial and accounting concepts, budgeting processes, and financial forecasting. Knowledge of budgetary procedures and financial regulations.Ability to prepare and present financial and administrative information clearly to diverse audiences. Effective written and verbal communication skills. Capable of coordinating multiple projects and managing timelines effectively. Develop and implement standard operating procedures. Ability to manage teams, providing guidance, and ensuring timely completion of tasks. Commitment to promoting a culture of continuous improvement and efficiency. Ability to lead with exceptional adaptability and agility, including responding to evolving priorities and strategic shifts proactively while embracing change and transformation. Ability to develop and implement metrics and methodologies for financial performance evaluation. Flexibility in managing changing priorities and dynamic financial environments. Job Family Financial Management Role Impact People Manager Posting Statement The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call View phone number on click.appcast.io or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position. The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637. #J-18808-Ljbffr Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago