Director Financial Planning & Analysis

Director Financial Planning & AnalysisThe Director of Financial Planning and Analysis role serves as a key advisor to the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) and senior leadership on financial performance, trends and risks and supports the University's mission by providing comprehensive financial analysis, forecasting and decision support. The Director will lead the institution's financial planning and analysis initiatives to support scenario planning, projections, and multi-year forecasting that inform critical institutional decisions.Education and Experience: A bachelor's degree is required with a preference in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field. A master's degree in a relevant field such as business administration, public administration, or another discipline directly related to financial analysis is preferred. A minimum of seven years of progressive financial management experience, with demonstrated advancement in scope and complexity. Advanced skills in financial modeling, forecasting, and data analysis are required, as is deep knowledge of budgeting methodologies and financial systems. Strong business acumen and the ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences. Experience in higher education of a complex nonprofit organization is highly desirable, though strong candidates from other complex institutional environments will be considered. Prior experience supervising or mentoring staff is preferred.Skills and Knowledge: Strong financial modeling and forecasting abilities are foundational, including proficiency with pivot tables, macros and complex formulas. Experience designing and implementing executive dashboards using business intelligence tools. Familiarity with AI-powered analytics is highly desirable. Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities to identify trends, variances, and anomalies in financial data, with meticulous attention to detail and accuracy. Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and the ability to read and interpret financial statements deeply, understanding how different business decisions flow through the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present financial information to both financial and non-financial audiences, including board members with varying levels of financial expertise. They should be adaptable and comfortable working in a dynamic environment where priorities can shift rapidly, and they must maintain the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct in all financial matters. Commitment to fostering ethical conduct, accountability, and transparency across all University operations.Responsibilities: Design, build, and maintain the OCFO's suite of financial planning models, including multi-year forecasts, scenario analyses, and sensitivity and stress tests that assess the financial impact of strategic decisions. Ensure models are technically rigorous, well-documented, and structured so that outputs can be readily understood and acted upon by senior leadership and the Board. Design, develop, and maintain executive dashboards and recurring financial reports that provide real-time visibility into key financial metrics, institutional health measures, and progress against strategic goals. Establish and track key performance indicators, conduct variance analyses, and produce well-structured reporting that enables senior leadership to monitor financial performance and identify emerging issues. Serve as the integrating financial intelligence function across the University's finance functions. Partner with finance teams to consolidate the financial data, align assumptions, and build institution-wide models that reflect the University's financial position and trajectory. Ensure that outputs from these partnerships feed seamlessly into forecasting, scenario planning, and senior leadership reporting. Lead the financial benchmarking program, analyzing the University's financial position, ratios, and trends relative to peer institutions using IPEDS, NACUBO, and rating agency frameworks. Identify areas of strength and vulnerability, and produce clear comparative analyses that inform strategic planning. Manage ad hoc analytical projects as directed by senior leadership. Lead efforts to enhance financial planning processes and systems, implementing best practices and technology solutions to improve efficiency and analytical capabilities. Refine reporting tools based on feedback and evolving governance needs. Syracuse University