Sr Budget Systems Spec
Apply NowCompany: Northwestern University
Location: Evanston, IL 60201
Description:
Department: Office of Budget and Planning
Salary/Grade: EXS/11
A well-qualified candidate within this department or unit has been identified and will be considered for the position alongside other qualified candidates identified through a competitive recruitment process. The University reserves its right to give priority consideration to internal qualified candidates
Job Summary:
The role of Senior Budget Systems Specialist involves overseeing the identification, development, implementation, and maintenance of budget systems and tools and data sharing to support the Office of Budget and Planning leadership and teams, University Senior leadership, and other stakeholders in schools and units across the University. This position will report to the Executive Director and serves as a key collaborator and critical evaluator of process and mechanics for the entire Budget and Planning team.
Responsibilities include collaborating with the budget team to identify opportunities for improvement related to data collection, analysis, and reporting. Outputs include improving, developing, and/or maintaining budget systems and tools and ensuring efficient and compliant completion of technological processes. The Senior Budget Systems Specialist will also represent the budget area in internal and external technical affairs by exchanging information and collaborating with central offices such as NUIT, IT Governance, and other technology contacts to support the University's mission.
Additionally, the Senior Budget Systems Specialist will serve as a key member of the budget analysis team by managing the University Central budgets and all associated activities. This includes annual budget development and quarterly forecasting processes for Central functions, including Central Resources, Professional Master's, University Reserves, and other areas as assigned.
This role will also develop and manage the University's annual operating budget model. This requires managing internal tools and systems to adjust individual school and unit budgets to meet overall University financial targets and leading an internal development and review process with other Office of Budget and Planning team members.
Lastly, the Senior Budget Systems Specialist will serve as the day-to-day lead for any budget model redesign or rebuilding efforts and will be the primary data steward in collaboration with any external partners or consulting services.
This hybrid role is aligned with current university workforce strategies.
Specific Responsibilities:
Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.
The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.
Salary/Grade: EXS/11
A well-qualified candidate within this department or unit has been identified and will be considered for the position alongside other qualified candidates identified through a competitive recruitment process. The University reserves its right to give priority consideration to internal qualified candidates
Job Summary:
The role of Senior Budget Systems Specialist involves overseeing the identification, development, implementation, and maintenance of budget systems and tools and data sharing to support the Office of Budget and Planning leadership and teams, University Senior leadership, and other stakeholders in schools and units across the University. This position will report to the Executive Director and serves as a key collaborator and critical evaluator of process and mechanics for the entire Budget and Planning team.
Responsibilities include collaborating with the budget team to identify opportunities for improvement related to data collection, analysis, and reporting. Outputs include improving, developing, and/or maintaining budget systems and tools and ensuring efficient and compliant completion of technological processes. The Senior Budget Systems Specialist will also represent the budget area in internal and external technical affairs by exchanging information and collaborating with central offices such as NUIT, IT Governance, and other technology contacts to support the University's mission.
Additionally, the Senior Budget Systems Specialist will serve as a key member of the budget analysis team by managing the University Central budgets and all associated activities. This includes annual budget development and quarterly forecasting processes for Central functions, including Central Resources, Professional Master's, University Reserves, and other areas as assigned.
This role will also develop and manage the University's annual operating budget model. This requires managing internal tools and systems to adjust individual school and unit budgets to meet overall University financial targets and leading an internal development and review process with other Office of Budget and Planning team members.
Lastly, the Senior Budget Systems Specialist will serve as the day-to-day lead for any budget model redesign or rebuilding efforts and will be the primary data steward in collaboration with any external partners or consulting services.
This hybrid role is aligned with current university workforce strategies.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Lead the identification, development, implementation, and maintenance of budget systems and tools in close collaboration with NUIT and other stakeholders, including:
- PBCS (Planning and Budgeting Cloud Service)
- NUPlans
- Budget model architecture
- 7-Year financial plan architecture
- Dashboards and other reporting tools
- Collaborate with the budget team to identify and implement opportunities for improving and streamlining job functions and data collection, analysis and/or reporting through new tools or technology solutions. Develop and maintain these solutions, ensuring input from the budget team and leadership is incorporated.
- Act as the primary contact with NUIT and other technology/system contacts to maintain and update:
- Budget software tools
- Reporting system changes or updates
- Control functions and processes
- IT governance meetings
- Develop and maintain the annual operating budget model. Lead collaborative process with other Budget and Planning team members to solicit input and adjustments to school/unit budgets and materials.
- Train the budget team on technology processes and optimization, including both system-based and Excel-based solutions
- Participate in the budget model redesign process and associated workstreams, including engagement with consultants and addressing data needs.
- Serve as the primary analyst for the Central Budget and other assigned schools/units.
- Performs ad hoc data analysis and projects to enhance insights and identify trends/needs.
- Other related duties as assigned.
- Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or University leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as business, accounting or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
- 4 years' administrative experience including budgets, finance, grants, facilities, &/or human resources; or other relevant experience.
- Exceptional spreadsheet, data analysis, and financial model-building skills
- Excellent computer skills, including general working knowledge of Word and PowerPoint.
- Budget or financial experience within a decentralized, research-intensive university or similarly complex organization.
- Experience with enterprise financial management systems.
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills and analytical capabilities.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Experience manipulating and analyzing large data sets
- Experience developing solutions for enhanced data analysis and reporting functions
- Certified expertise in Excel and other data analysis tools
- Smartsheet
- Working familiarity with Oracle-based enterprise software (e.g., PeopleSoft)
- Strong presentation skills
- Tableau
- Microsoft Power BI
- Oracle Planning and Budgeting Cloud Services
Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.
The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.