Budget and Finance Specialist III

About the role

The Iowa State University Budget Office seeks qualified candidates for a Budget and Finance Specialist III position supporting the President’s Division. The Budget Office provides financial planning, analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting services that support sound financial stewardship and informed decision-making across the university.

Responsibilities

• Providing strategic financial analysis and recommendations to leadership.
• Providing leadership and direction for budget development and financial planning.
• Developing multi-fund, multi-year forecasting and budget projections.
• Conducting financial analysis, scenario modeling, and data analytics.
• Identifying financial risks, opportunities, and potential efficiencies.
• Ensuring responsible use of resources and compliance with financial policies.
• Serving as the financial representative for the President’s Division on central finance committees and teams.
• Serving as backup for institutional financial planning, analysis, and reporting.

Requirements

Some Key Responsibilities For This Role Include The Following:

• Providing strategic financial analysis and recommendations to leadership.
• Providing leadership and direction for budget development and financial planning.
• Developing multi-fund, multi-year forecasting and budget projections.
• Conducting financial analysis, scenario modeling, and data analytics.
• Identifying financial risks, opportunities, and potential efficiencies.
• Ensuring responsible use of resources and compliance with financial policies.
• Serving as the financial representative for the President’s Division on central finance committees and teams.
• Serving as backup for institutional financial planning, analysis, and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, time-management, and organizational skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Sound professional judgment, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights.
• A commitment to service, integrity, ethical conduct, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Experience providing financial analysis, planning, recommendations, and business partner support to senior or executive leadership.

Experience executing financial forecasting, budget development, and multi-year financial planning.

Experience developing and executing financial analytics, modeling, and using data to inform business and resource decisions.

Experience operating within enterprise financial planning, budgeting, or reporting systems and processes.

Experience implementing AI or automation related to financial planning, analysis, reporting, or process improvement is a plus.

Benefits

Comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Variety of voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

Pay

Candidates will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

Schedule

This is a 12-month full-time position.