Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis

Position Summary

This position is responsible for supporting the AVP of Financial Planning & Analysis in executing the University's financial planning and analysis functions. The role develops and maintains strong partnerships with marketing leaders, enrollment decision makers, and academic deans by providing actionable financial insights through KPI reporting, forecasting, budgeting, long-range planning, return on investment analysis, and other value-added financial analyses. This position is also responsible for identifying and evaluating opportunities to improve operating margins, increase efficiency, and maximize the return on the University's investments and resources while supporting strategic decision-making and long-term institutional growth.

Essential Functions

• Collaborate with enrollment, marketing, academic, and operational leaders to develop forecast assumptions, evaluate strategic initiatives, and support data-driven decision-making, including analysis of enrollment trends, marketing effectiveness, and student acquisition costs.
• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual variance analyses against budget, forecast, and prior-year results, providing insight into key financial and operational drivers.
• Support the development, maintenance, and execution of the annual operating budget, long-range financial plan, and periodic forecasts.
• Partner with functional leaders and academic deans to review financial performance, identify risks and opportunities, and support informed business decisions.
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of financial planning models, dashboards, and reporting solutions using Workday, Adaptive Planning, Power BI, and other analytical tools to support executive decision-making and organizational performance.
• Develop financial models, scenario analyses, and business cases to support investment decisions, resource allocation, and strategic planning initiatives.
• Perform financial analyses to identify opportunities to improve operating margins, optimize resource utilization, improve student acquisition efficiency, and support the University's long-term financial sustainability.
• Support the financial planning, forecasting, and analysis of grant-funded programs and initiatives, including evaluation of funding utilization, sustainability, and financial impact.
• Prepare and distribute KPI, financial, and operating performance reports, dashboards, scorecards, and executive presentations.
• Develop and maintain leadership dashboards and communicate the financial impact of business trends, enrollment performance, and operational initiatives.
• Ensure the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of financial planning models, management reporting, and performance metrics.
• Conduct ad hoc financial analyses and special projects to support institutional priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Partner with stakeholders to continuously improve FP&A processes, reporting capabilities, and data-driven decision-making across the University.

Requirements

• Education & Experience: Bachelor's Degree required, Master’s degree preferred. Professional Experience: 4-6 years progressive finance, accounting, or FP&A required. 7+ years of progressive finance, accounting, or FP&A preferred. Experience in higher education preferred. Experience with Workday/Adaptive Planning preferred.