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Washington University in St. Louis · 2 months ago

Vice Chancellor for Budget & Financial Planning/Chief Budget Officer (Hybrid) - Financial Services

Clayton, MO

Full-time

Hybrid

Director/Executive

10+ years exp

Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is a global leader in research, teaching, and patient care, seeking an accomplished financial executive to serve as its Chief Budget Officer. This role provides strategic leadership for the university’s budget development, financial planning, resource allocation processes, and financial information systems.

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Responsibilities

Leads the development, implementation, and management of the university's consolidated annual operating and capital budgets, ensuring resources are strategically aligned with academic, research, and institutional priorities

Oversees multi-year financial planning, long-range forecasting of operating and capital resources, and scenario modeling to support sustainable decision-making in a complex, decentralized environment

Partners closely with the Chancellor, EVC/Provost, EVC/Chief Administrative Officer EVC/CFO, Deans, and senior leadership to evaluate and recommend multi-year financial plans and resource allocation strategies that support academic excellence, research growth, and institutional competitiveness

Develops, maintains, and enhances robust financial systems (Workday/Adaptive Planning), models, and planning tools that incorporate enrollment trends, research activity, philanthropy, endowment performance, capital projects, and other key drivers

Provides clear, transparent financial reporting, dashboards, and presentations to university leadership, the Board of Trustees, and external stakeholders, including ratings agencies and accrediting bodies

Guides the integration of financial planning with university-wide strategic initiatives, including research expansion, capital investments, and strategic partnerships

Ensures effective budgetary governance, internal controls, and best practices across all budgetary and financial planning functions

Leads, mentors, and develops a high-performing team of financial analysis and systems professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, analytical rigor, and service excellence

Qualification

Financial planningBudget managementResource allocationFinancial reportingWorkday Adaptive PlanningStrategic leadershipLong-range forecastingAnalytical rigorCollaborationMentoring

Required

Master's degree in finance, business administration, public policy, economics, higher education administration, or a related field

10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in financial planning, budgeting, or resource management in a large, complex organization

Preferred

Direct experience with budgeting and financial management in a leading research university, academic medical center, or similarly complex, mission-driven institution

Demonstrated success managing large-scale operating budgets and providing strategic financial leadership in a decentralized environment

Experience within a top-tier, private research university or similar research-intensive institution

Familiarity with different resource allocation and budget models (e.g., responsibility center management, activity-based budgeting) and financial frameworks that support both academic excellence and operational efficiency

Demonstrated ability to navigate shared governance and work effectively in a highly collaborative, intellectually rigorous environment

Knowledge of Workday Adaptive Planning is highly desirable