Executive Director, Budget and Financial Analysis

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $260,000 - $300,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

The Executive Director, Budget and Financial Analysis plays a pivotal role in managing the Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) campus budget. Reporting to the Vice President of Budget and Planning, the Executive Director is responsible for overseeing and managing central administrative unit budgets. The Executive Director participates in shaping the financial direction of CUIMC by working closely with senior leadership to deliver informed financial insights and recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Leads the overall budgetary strategy for central administrative budgets for CUIMC Administration, VP&S Administration, and the Faculty Practice Organization, using expert knowledge of education, research, patient care, and general administration finances to ensure financial alignment with institutional strategic objectives. Establish protocols to ensure fiscal responsibility and financial stability. Leads communications and ensures a close working relationship between Finance and central administrative units. Oversees two staff members who review and analyze unit budget submissions, directly develop and manage budgets for certain central activities, track unit financial performance, and manage inter-departmental transfers between central and academic units.
• Serves as the principal financial advisor on central administration to senior CUIMC leadership, advising on budget priorities, financial forecasts, and allocation of resources to support organizational strategy. Leads regular zero-base budgeting efforts to ensure that budgets are aligned with current priorities. Manages the preparation and delivery of comprehensive financial analyses and reports for executive leadership. Provides advanced variance analyses, trend reports, and strategic financial modeling to inform decision-making and optimize resource allocation.
• Contributes to short-term and strategic planning for administrative activities. Reviews metrics, benchmarks, and client feedback on administrative services in order to recommend optimal structures. Serves as finance lead for administrative organizational changes, particularly centralization of locally delivered services. Recommends methods for incorporating central administrative costs into overhead allocation systems.
• Develops solutions to optimize budget development, analysis, and reporting. Leads implementation of the administration portion of CUIMC standards for accounting and reporting, ensuring that revenues and expenses are allocated properly to individual programs so that profit & loss and other reports can be created accurately and efficiently.
• Leads special projects as required. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to drive performance improvement, operational efficiencies, and financial outcomes. Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned/requested. Gains familiarity with complementary budgetary/financial functions, such as the campus capital budget, to assist with necessary analysis if required and to ensure that central budgeting workflows are aligned with those of the broader finance operation.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree and at least ten years of progressively comprehensive experience in budgeting and financial analysis are required.
  
  The successful candidate will be a self-starter with a well-developed knowledge of quantitative analysis and capable of working with minimal oversight to solve a problem or meet a need. Demonstrated financial analysis skills required, including the ability to prepare detailed financial reports, analyze variances and their drivers, and explain complex financial information. Attention to detail, plus the ability to work closely and collaboratively with a diverse group of administrators, is essential. Expert-level computer proficiency (Microsoft Excel and Word) is required, including an in-depth knowledge of spreadsheet functions and pivot tables. Experience with database reporting a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, an academic medical center or hospital, or in an equivalent environment is preferred. An MPA, MBA, or comparable advanced degree or equivalent experience is also preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

Commitment to Diversity

Columbia University is dedicated to increasing diversity in its workforce, its student body, and its educational programs. Achieving continued academic excellence and creating a vibrant university community require nothing less. In fulfilling its mission to advance diversity at the University, Columbia seeks to hire, retain, and promote exceptionally talented individuals from diverse backgrounds.