Director of Fiscal Planning and Analysis

Position Summary

The Director provides strategic oversight for the University's budget planning, development, and analysis. This position leads the Office of Fiscal Planning & Analysis, ensuring compliance with institutional, state, and federal policies while maintaining strong relationships with university leadership, departments, and external stakeholders. The Director plays a key role in preparing and managing the University's Annual Operating Budget (AOB) and Mississippi Budget Request (MBR), providing critical financial insights to support institutional decision-making.

Primary Duties And Responsibilities

• Budget Planning & Development
• Leads the University’s annual budget development process across all locations, resulting in the AOB and MBR submissions required by the Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) Board and Legislative Budget Office (LBO).
• Provides guidance and support to the Vice President for Finance & Administration in budget strategy, analysis, and recommendations.
• Maintains positive working relationships with IHL and LBO personnel to ensure compliance and advocacy for institutional needs.
• Financial Reporting & Compliance
• Oversees the preparation of comprehensive financial reports and analyses for IHL and other stakeholders.
• Ensures compliance with budgeting, accounting, and forecasting standards, as well as applicable policies, regulations, and laws.
• Develops and implements budgetary policies, internal controls, and process improvements to enhance financial oversight.
• Office Leadership & Operations
• Manages the daily operations of the Office of Fiscal Planning & Analysis, overseeing budgeting, forecasting, and financial administration.
• Supervises and develops a team of financial analysts, establishing work priorities and ensuring professional growth.
• Leads the integration of budgeting systems with technology, overseeing testing and business process improvements within the PeopleSoft application system.
• University-Wide Fiscal Consultation & Analysis
• Serves as a resource to university departments, advising on budget policies, fiscal procedures, and financial planning strategies.
• Provides revenue and expense forecasting, conducting financial scenario analysis to support institutional planning.
• Affords assistance in evaluating financial proposals and assessing potential impacts on the University’s budget.
• Other Duties As Assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university;
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in budget management, financial planning, or related fields;
• Previous experience in supervising financial teams and managing complex budgets.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Financial Acumen: Strong analytical skills with the ability to develop financial models, forecasts, and scenario analyses.
• Compliance & Policy Expertise: In-depth knowledge of budgeting principles, financial regulations, and state/governmental reporting requirements.
• Technology & Systems Proficiency: Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and enterprise financial systems such as PeopleSoft.
• Leadership & Communication: Ability to effectively lead a team, present financial data to senior leadership, and collaborate across departments.
• Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: Ability to interpret complex financial information, make data-driven decisions, and implement process improvements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university;
• Seven to ten (7-10) years of experience in financial management, budget development, and forecasting, preferably in higher education or the public sector;
• Experience with PeopleSoft or similar enterprise financial systems.