Budget Director

Education is ever-evolving. And so are we.

We seek passionate people from diverse backgrounds who are committed to helping improve the work of schools as a trusted partner in advancing learning. By joining the Cognia team, you will be immersed in a community of energetic and resourceful people dedicated to a common vision to impact and inspire education providers to advance and enable pathways of success for all learners. At Cognia we have developed a holistic approach to education that empowers schools to create real outcomes and optimize learning for students of all backgrounds, servicing more than 36,000 institutions, 5 million teachers, and 25 million students in 85 countries. When you join Cognia, you join a team of experts passionate about our mission and embracing our core values in everything we do.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Budget Director will oversee the management of Cognia's budget development and maintenance processes. This includes operational and capital budgeting. This role will create budget processes and protocols, advance efficiencies and improvements related to existing budgeting and financial data planning and develop and implement management tools and methodologies to ensure that corporate budgeting activities are conducted accurately and efficiently for the organization. This position will manage the budget department's work to align with the goals and mission of Cognia.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES:

• Develop and implement new budget protocol using the new Oracle NetSuite ERP to develop revenue and expense budget projections.
• Develop, present, and oversee financial budgets on an annual and monthly basis.
• Create budgetary Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Create required and ad-hoc budgetary reports.
• Manage the budget department's assignments and priorities.
• Collaborate with executives, project managers, and cross-departmental leadership to establish budgetary objectives and ensure their adherence.
• Ensure all budgets and financial processes align with company goals.
• Assign budgetary responsibilities in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer.
• Hire and train new staff members within the budget department.
• Design management-friendly monthly financial forecast reports to project financial position throughout the year.
• Evaluate budget proposals and financial requests for viability.
• Track results and compare them to key financial targets.
• Prepare cost estimates and plans, while providing necessary reporting, documentation, and financial assessments.
• Develop and maintain an accurate record-keeping system via Oracle NetSuite.
• Oversee and assume responsibility for all budgetary records and compliance.
• Identify, flag, and analyze potential financial and budgetary risks.
• Provide financial summaries, reports, and recommendations on a monthly and ad-hoc basis.
• Assist the CFO and Controller in year-end close and audits for budget related deliverables.
• Perform duties and fulfill responsibilities that may, from time to time, include related or unrelated tasks.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or related field required; MBA preferred
• A minimum of eight (8) years of experience in Finance required; to include a minimum of five (5) years of experience in financial and/or budget management and a minimum of two (2) years of management/ supervisory experience
• Experience with Oracle/NetSuite or other budget planning software required
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required

Competencies:

• Advanced financial and analytical skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent written, verbal communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to explain complex financial data clearly
• Strong project management
• Working knowledge of business and financial data software
• Ability to create and manage organizational budgets
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (required)
• Proficient in budget creation and analysis via NetSuite Oracle (preferred)
• Excellent managerial skills
• Foster positive and collaborative working relationships across the organization to accomplish organization-wide goals
• Excellent organizational skills, time management, and attention to detail
• Ability to deliver a high degree of accuracy
• Thorough understanding of budgetary and accounting principles, practices, and policies

Anticipated Travel (may include local, national, and/or international travel):

• Limited travel (0-10%)
• Travel to Annual All Staff Company Meeting required

At Cognia, we recognize the critical role played by our teams in carrying out the organization's important educational mission. As a reflection of that recognition our exceptional benefits offerings include generous paid time off and holiday breaks, comprehensive insurance plans, and a 12.5% retirement savings contribution which is immediately vested, all effective on your date of hire. This represents an affirmative commitment by the organization to attract and retain the highest quality workforce - to ensure our continued ability to effectively serve our mission for years to come.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristics protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations. Cognia is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.