Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE), created in 1971, is the State's higher education coordinating agency, driven to improve economic and social mobility for Hoosiers through postsecondary education and training. The Commission also administers Indiana’s state financial aid programs, including 21st Century Scholars.

About the role

Reporting to the Deputy Chief Financial Officer for Higher Education, the Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) is a key leadership position within the Commission’s Finance team. This role informs and drives financial strategy, analysis, and long-range projections that shape Indiana’s higher education funding decisions. The Manager of FP&A plays a critical role in financial modeling and forecasting for state financial aid programs and university funding allocations, providing actionable insights to Commission leadership and external stakeholders, including the Indiana General Assembly and the State Budget Agency.

This position collaborates closely with the Commission’s Business Intelligence (BI) team and the State Director of Financial Aid to integrate data analytics into financial planning, ensure data integrity, and develop scalable analytical tools and dashboards.

Responsibilities

• Provide critical interpretation and contribute to the maintenance of multi-year financial models and forecasts for state financial aid programs, including the Frank O’Bannon Grant, 21st Century Scholars, and other Commission-administered programs.
• Develop and maintain financial projection models for university funding allocations, including performance-based funding formulas, base appropriations, capital investment, program expenses, and special legislative initiatives.
• Analyze budget variances, enrollment trends, and policy changes to assess their financial impact on state aid expenditures and university funding; prepare concise summaries and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Monitor appropriations balances and expenditure trends throughout the fiscal year, providing timely updates to leadership and flagging potential shortfalls or surpluses.
• Support program expansion and approvals processes by evaluating financial solvency to inform final determinations.
• Prepare financial analyses and fiscal notes in support of proposed legislation, administrative rules, and policy changes affecting higher education funding.
• Support the preparation of the Commission’s annual budget requests to the State Budget Agency and the Governor’s Office, including documentation of assumptions, historical trends, and programmatic justifications.
• Partner closely with the Business Intelligence (BI) team to align financial data structures with BI reporting frameworks, ensuring consistency and accuracy across datasets.
• Contribute to the design and development of financial dashboards, reports, and data visualizations that support executive decision-making and external reporting.
• Leverage data analytics tools and techniques to identify trends, anomalies, and opportunities in financial and enrollment data.
• Assist in the documentation and maintenance of data dictionaries, financial data definitions, and reporting specifications to support data governance efforts.
• Present financial findings, projections, and policy recommendations to Commission leadership, board members, legislators, and other stakeholders in a clear and accessible manner.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on financial aid program finances and university funding, responding to inquiries from internal teams, the General Assembly, and the public.
• Cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with State Budget Agency staff, Office of Management and Budget, and higher education institution finance officers.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to staff members within the Finance team, supporting professional development and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Three (3) to five (5) years of full-time professional experience.
• Thorough knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) principles and their application in higher education or public sector financial reporting.
• Demonstrated experience with financial modeling, forecasting, and long-range financial planning in a higher education, government, or public finance environment.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including complex financial models, pivot tables, Power Query, and macro development.
• Familiarity with higher education financial structures, including institutional funding models, financial aid program administration, and state appropriations processes.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, including the ability to synthesize large datasets, isolate key drivers of financial trends, and communicate findings to non-technical audiences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to prepare clear, well-organized financial reports and present to senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships across teams and with external partners.
• Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with R or Python for data analysis, statistical modeling, or reporting automation.
• Experience working with business intelligence platforms such as Tableau, Power BI, or similar tools.
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), or other relevant professional certification.
• Experience in a state government financial role or with Indiana’s state budgeting and appropriations processes.
• Experience working with financial aid management systems or higher education student information systems.
• Knowledge of Indiana higher education policy, funding formulas, and the Commission’s strategic priorities.

Benefits

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans.
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards.
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution.
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match.
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options.
• Robust, comprehensive program of leave policies, including:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers.
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave.
  • Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off.
  • 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years.
• Education Reimbursement Program.
• Group life insurance.
• Referral Bonus program.
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits.
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Free parking for most positions.
• Free LinkedIn Learning access.

Pay

This position typically offers a salary range of $65,000 to $75,000.