Budget/Fiscal Manager

Brief Position Overview

The University Budget Office at Montana State University (MSU) is seeking a Budget & Fiscal Manager to provide strategic leadership in financial planning and budget management for multiple units. The incumbent will serve as the financial expert, advising unit leads on the availability of funding for personnel and operational changes.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial leadership for the unit, managing and advising millions in resources from multiple funding sources.
• Forecast, plan, and oversee the development of annual and long‑range budgets, including internal budget models, revenue projections, and expenditure plans.
• Work with unit heads to ensure compliance with the budget plan set forth at the start of the fiscal year and communicate variances for timely action.
• Analyze financial trends and service usage—particularly in fee‑based units—to evaluate fiscal impacts and support data‑informed decision‑making.
• Collaborate with department directors, Fiscal Shared Services (FSS), and Human Resources partners to ensure alignment between staffing needs and financial resources, including oversight of position budgeting.
• Deliver timely financial reporting and insights to department leaders to support operational activities, strategic planning, and accountability.
• Serve as a key liaison for the unit in central budget activities.
• Ensure compliance with MSU and Board of Regents (BOR) financial policies and procedures while continually improving financial processes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, finance or a related field, OR an equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience.
• Demonstrated competence and experience in development, analysis, and execution of complex budgets and long‑range business/fiscal management plans.
• Successful experience in interpreting, explaining, and presenting detailed budget and fiscal data, both verbally and in writing, to a broad group of constituents.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Suite, specifically Excel formulas and applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in financial‑based roles at a higher education institution.
• Demonstrated knowledge in interpreting and applying institutional policies and procedures.
• Ability to initiate, coordinate, oversee and complete various projects on own initiative.
• Strong organizational techniques with the ability to manage multiple tasks and remain flexible.
• Experience leveraging data from an ERP system.
• Sound judgment and initiative in decision‑making while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.
• Effective leadership and collaboration with teams and stakeholders of diverse backgrounds, demonstrating strong interpersonal and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Ability to present complex financial and administrative information in ways that build clarity, transparency, and informed decision‑making across varying levels of financial expertise.
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication, including presentations.
• Management of multiple priorities with attention to detail, accuracy, and adherence to deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Proficient use of financial systems and tools, including spreadsheets, databases, and various reporting systems; experience with Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook is preferred.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Pay

$35.00 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Classification Title: Budget Analyst IV (Budget/Fiscal Manager). FTE: 1.0. Benefits Eligible.