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Widener University · 13 hours ago

Director, Financial Planning and Strategic Analysis

Chester, PA

Full-time

Hybrid

Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

5+ years exp

Widener University is currently seeking a Director of Financial Planning & Strategic Analysis. The Director will be responsible for supporting the university’s long-term strategic financial planning, annual operating and capital budget processes, and analytic reviews of the university’s academic programs as well as new strategic programs and initiatives.

Higher Education

Responsibilities

Support the planning and execution of the university’s annual budget process, including the development and communication of university parameters and planning assumptions. Assist in the preparation of materials for the Finance Committee and Board of Trustees meetings including the creation of support narratives and PowerPoint slides

Support the university's multi-year strategic planning process, liaising with major divisions and revenue producing units to help develop inputs and refine assumptions. Analyze complex financial and operational trends to develop integrated forecasts and long-term financial outlooks supporting both operating and capital plans. Lead revenue modeling, scenario planning, and sensitivity analyses to anticipate impacts of enrollment, funding, and policy changes, and to inform strategic and resource allocation decisions. Support continued enhancements of the existing financial model to create an agile, flexible, data-driven scenario planning tool that will enhance the University’s ability to make key decisions and investments

Train constituents across the university on budget development and ongoing budget monitoring. Analyze requests for resources and act as liaison with deans, department chairs and division heads

Partner with departments and divisions to provide transparent insight into the components of the budget. Monitor and analyze university performance and achievement of strategic and financial goals

Oversee the development and management of salary budgets and long-range financial forecasts, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and fiscal sustainability. Lead the position approval and funding process, partnering with HR and leadership to evaluate staffing needs, resource availability, and long-term affordability

Drive the reimagining of performance assessment frameworks, integrating financial, academic, and operational data to provide a holistic view of effectiveness. Develop models and insights to evaluate programs, investments, and opportunities for innovation or optimization

Conceptualize and implement new ideas, approaches and initiatives that will enhance business performance and create strategic efficiencies and cost savings in support of the University’s long-range strategic and financial goals

Serve as a University-level expert and liaison in the use of querying and reporting tools, including Informer, Colleague, Budget Self-Service, and Excel in order to more efficiently use University data sources. Work with University-level Senior IT leadership to create ad hoc reports to further strategic projects and departmental reporting and budget management. Provide proactive guidance and training in use of these tools to the Widener community at large

Participate in various university committees

Participate in process improvement projects or strategic initiatives as assigned

All other duties as assigned by the Associate Vice President, Financial Planning & Strategic Analysis

Qualification

Financial modelingBudget methodologyStrategic finance planningComplex financial systemsCommunication skillsDiversity awarenessCollaborationCreative thinking

Required

Master's Degree and five (5) + years' experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience) in finance, accounting, consulting or related field with deep knowledge of financial modeling, budget methodology, and strategical finance planning

Demonstrated understanding of the importance of diversity of staff and ability to work collaboratively with a diverse faculty, staff and student body

Demonstrated experience with complex financial systems, including experience supporting implementation of new processes or procedures to enhance accuracy, efficiency or customer service

Proven history as a strategic thinker. Creative in ability to think differently in processes and assumptions. Open to new ways of performing accounting operational functions and departmental alignment, arrangement, responsibilities

Established record as collaborator in the workplace, within the immediate department and within the larger institution

Outstanding communication skills; a team player who can relate to a variety of constituencies. Able to explain complex financial information in understandable terms to financial and non-financial audiences

Proven ability to create and foster an inclusive environment that demonstrates the university's commitment to diversity

Preferred

Master's degree with a preference for MBA or a Master's in Finance, Statistics, Business Analytics, or related field

Seven (7) + years progressive experience in higher education or non-profit finance, financial modeling, budget methodology, and strategical finance planning highly preferred