Vice President, Budget & Financial Planning

Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.  Columbia is one of the top academic and research institutions in the world, conducting path breaking research in medicine, science, the arts, and the humanities. It includes three undergraduate schools, thirteen graduate and professional schools, and a school of continuing education.

Reporting to the Executive Vice President for Finance, the Vice President serves as a principal financial officer of the University responsible for managing operating budget and strategic financial planning activities of the University, and is a senior advisor and key member of the EVP’s staff.  The VP is responsible for all matters pertaining to budget and financial planning across the University for both the operating and capital budgets, partnering closely with the CFO of the Columbia University Medical Center, the Controller, the Treasurer, and respective members of these teams.  Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: recruiting, managing and developing a team of high quality professionals to deliver a superior level of performance and productivity; planning for and managing key aspects of a major financial systems conversion that will impact all aspects of accounting, budgeting and financial reporting; leading the organization through all phases of the budget process by: partnering with budget office staff and budget unit managers to collect budget information from academic and administrative budget unit leaders; reporting actual versus budget results, and explaining variances to senior management through appropriate analysis; monitoring and analyzing the University’s consolidated annual budget for performance; working closely with the University Treasurer and Facilities organizations to develop and monitor the rolling five-year capital plan.  The VP will also be responsible for: advancing the quality, timeliness, and strategic and tactical value of financial information and framing that information in a way that provides context and analytical support to decision makers, including the executive team and members of the Board of Trustees; working closely with academic and administrative budget unit leaders to understand their departmental needs and accurately modeling current and future initiatives under different scenarios; identifying challenges and opportunities through long-range financial modeling and analysis; creating appropriate financial management budgeting policies and procedures, and communicating them to the University community; preparing, presenting and explaining complex budgetary issues and relevant financial information to senior management and to members of the Board of Trustees and supporting various committees of the Board of Trustees; promoting a culture that emphasizes accountability and transparency among the finance team and a strong working relationship with other parts of the University.  Other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Requirement

Bachelor’s degree, with at least ten years of progressively comprehensive budget and financial planning leadership experience and responsibility within a large, complex, decentralized environment required.  MBA, CPA or comparable advanced degree strongly preferred.  Experience in higher education administration strongly preferred.  Proven track record of developing operating and capital budgets and utilizing rigorous modeling skills and statistical methods of financial planning, analysis and forecasting required.  Demonstrated ability to develop budget policy and align programmatic priorities with current and future financial resources required.  Past success in mapping and translating information flows and financial processes to inform the design and implementation of a major financial systems conversion required.  Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, organizational, negotiation and problem-solving skills required, plus the ability to work closely and effectively with a diverse group of senior University administrators, essential.  Must be experienced at senior (board-level) presentations.  Familiarity with computer-based accounting systems required.  The successful candidate must be a strategic thinker, with an open and collaborative style of leadership that encourages teamwork and cooperation, and a strong role model, manager and coach.  Must have a demonstrated passion for excellent customer service and a commitment to exceptional quality.

To be considered an applicant, all interested parties MUST apply through the Columbia University online employment application system. Paste the following quick link into your browser to access this position posting:

jobs.columbia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=110143  

 
Columbia University is an Equal Employment / Affirmative Action Employer.