Assistant Director/Associate Director of Budget and Finance -- Gies College of Business

Office of the Dean, Gies Financial Management Partners

At Gies College of Business, we’re seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented finance professional to join our collaborative team as an Assistant Director of Budget and Finance or Associate Director of Budget and Finance. If you thrive in a dynamic environment, enjoy problem-solving, and have a keen eye for financial strategy, we want you! We’re looking for someone who values integrity, embraces teamwork, and isn’t afraid to take initiative in driving financial excellence. Whether you’re looking to grow your expertise or take on a more strategic leadership role, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the college’s financial operations. If you’re ready to contribute to a team that works hard, supports each other, and truly makes a difference, we’d love to hear from you!

Job Summary

The Gies Financial Management Operations Office handles the financial oversight for the Gies College of Business. As we follow the Operational Excellence Initiative, units within the college can utilize centralized services for day-to-day operations as vacancies and needs arise. Overall, Gies maintains a centralized budget model, with budgetary expertise needed at the college level.

• The Assistant Director of Budget and Finance will help provide financial reporting and direction over the budget and financial operations for Gies as well as provide analytical support to the Senior Director of Budget and Financial Services.
• The Associate Director of Budget and Finance will help provide strategic recommendations and direction over the budget and financial operations for Gies and provide analytical support to the Senior Director of Budget and Financial Services. The Associate Director will exercise professional judgement and discretion in directing and overseeing financial operational processes.

Assistant Director of Budget and Finance - Duties & Responsibilities

Financial Analysis and Reporting & Budget Strategy

• Provides detailed financial analysis, routine or ad hoc, for units at the request of the Senior Director of Budget and Financial Services. Makes recommendations and assists unit heads with financial decisions.
• Tracks Gies’ commitments and facilitates temporary and permanent budget adjustments (BAR).
• Analyzes and monitors departmental budgets and assists units with annual budget preparation.
• Assists with data entry into systems used in support of the annual budget process, e.g., budget development and salary planner.
• Collaborates with the Gies Financial Management Operations’ leads to facilitate fiscal year-end closeout process.
• Assists with oversight of the budgetary and financial management within the college to ensure the optimum use of all funds and resources of the units served.
• Serves as a crucial and cross-functional role to ensure operations run smoothly during peak periods and vacancies.
• Serves as a resource for college and unit administrators and their offices on a variety of fiscal, accounting, business, and budget matters.
• Manages a subset of unit budgets with progressive growth as capacity allows.
• Provides budget updates to the Senior Director of Budget and Financial Services. Analyzes financial data and development of budget models and forecasts to enhance and broaden the college’s base of support.
• Helps support the college budgeting process, including creation of budgets and projections, analyzing allocations to all college units, ensuring receipt of appropriations, assembling current salary and operating budget information, compiling monetary needs of the units and assisting in the distribution of funds.
• Develops communications and resources to support unit business staff in developing and managing unit budgets.

Financial Process Strategy

• Assists with developing best practices for financial management as new systems continue to be added across Campus and within the College.
• Assists with the development and implementation of new workflow applications as volume increases to ensure timely execution and completion of tasks.
• Provides resources, training, and mentorship to new staff in the college that interact with the financial management office.
• Collaborates with the Assistant and Associate Directors of Financial Management as well as the Senior Director of Budget and Financial Services for financial training and onboarding to optimize resources and create efficient and effective processes.
• Reviews and approves large purchases.
• Assists with and responds to campus requests regarding account deficits, anticipated expenditure of funds, projected budgets, fiscal control and financial audits.

Administrative and Other Duties

• Completes special projects as delegated by the Senior Director of Budget and Financial Services; other duties as needed to ensure efficient and effective business and financial operations.
• Serve on campus advisory committees as requested.
• Assists when needed with college wide audits, AACSB financial reporting, sponsored research, contractual matters or other administrative matters involving resource planning.
• Assists with implementation and serves as a resource for new OBFS systems rolled out by campus.

Associate Director of Budget and Finance - Additional Duties & Responsibilities

• Assists with financial forecasting and tracking financial performance in total and by segment; monitors financial goals and outcome measures for existing and new initiatives.
• Creates and maintains college financial policies that clarify campus procedures and strengthen fiscal and internal controls college wide.
• Strategizes and develops best practices for financial management as new systems continue to be added across Campus and within College.
• Manage college wide best practices regarding financial transaction processing and review.

Specialty Factors

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or a field related to the position.
• Three (3) years of professional business, financial, and/or managerial work experience in a university environment – for Assistant Director level.
• Five (5) years of professional business, financial, and/or managerial work experience in a university environment – for Associate Director level.
• Demonstrated experience in budget and financial planning.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy or Finance, or a Master’s degree in closely related field.

Experience: Three years of relevant experience at the University of Illinois with two years in a leadership role – for Assistant Director level.

Five years of relevant experience at the University of Illinois with three years in a leadership role – for Associate Director level.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

This position includes the use of judgment, initiative, and flexibility, as well as the ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines set by the campus and the college under the general supervision of the Senior Director of Budget and Financial Services. Proficient with or ability to learn University applications (Banner, P-Card, Chrome River, T-Card, Eddie/View Direct, Web Intelligence, iBuy, My UI Financials, Contracts+, Excel, etc.). Strong attention to detail. Experience with financial analysis is preferred.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5010 - Business/Administrative Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the search closes. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. The budgeted salary range for the position is $75,000 to $85,000 at the Assistant Director level and $85,000 to $90,000 at the Associate Director level. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on March 28, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting, and upload your cover letter, resume (months and years of employment must be included), and names/contact information for three professional references. Please remember to include specific information on how you meet the qualifications of the position in your resume, including all relevant experience. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact rgoben@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

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The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

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Requisition ID: 1028438
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu