Director, Budget Operations, Planning & Reporting

The Division of Finance & Administration/Office of Budget & Finance at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications for the Director, Budget Operations, Planning & Reporting. The Director, Budget Operations, Planning & Reporting is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and management of the UTK budget. The position ensures accurate financial reporting, compliance with regulatory requirements, and effective allocation of resources to support the university's strategic goals. The Director’s key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, annual budget administration; Responsibility Center Management (RCM) model administration; ad hoc & Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) reporting; operational projects; capacity model; and EPM operational dashboards.

• Lead the annual budget planning process, collaborating with department heads and senior leadership on campus.
• Monitor and analyze budget performance, providing regular updates and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Ensure alignment of budget allocations with the university's strategic priorities.
• Oversee the preparation of financial reports, including monthly, quarterly, and annual statements.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional reporting requirements.
• Present financial data to the executive leadership, and other stakeholders.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures for effective resource allocation and financial management.
• Conduct financial analysis to support decision-making and strategic planning.
• Manage the university's financial forecasting and long-term planning processes.
• Supervise and mentor a team of budget and financial analysts.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Provide professional development opportunities for team members.
• Provide ongoing training and development opportunities to enhance the team's skills and knowledge.
• Work closely with the business intelligence office, finance department, and other university units to understand their data needs and provide solutions.
• Foster a culture of data-driven decision-making across the university.
• Communicate findings and recommendations to senior leadership and other stakeholders through presentations and reports.
• Perform other related responsibilities as required.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field.
• Experience: 7 to 10 years of experience in budget management, financial reporting or financial analysis.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
• Proven track record of leading initiatives and managing cross-functional teams.
• Experience in developing and implementing strategies and solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to drive process improvements and optimize workflows.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field or relevant certification (e.g., CFA, CPA, CBIP)
• Experience in budget management, financial reporting or financial analysis within a higher education or public sector environment. Knowledge of University Tennessee policies and procedures.
• Experience with an RCM model in an R1 public university setting.

Work Location

• Knoxville, TN – in-person, on-site.

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR17
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• University of Tennessee employees are eligible for a comprehensive suite of benefits that includes:
• Generous paid leave, accruing up to 24 days of vacation and 12 days of sick leave annually, plus 14 paid holidays and administrative closing days
• Education benefits for employees and their dependents at UT System campuses
• Retirement and deferred compensation plans, including 401(k), 403(b), etc.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Employee discounts to attractions, services, and goods

Application Instructions

Interested applicants should submit an application with the following attachments:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References
• Any additional pertinent materials
• Nominations and confidential inquires are encouraged and may be sent via email to Anthony Lanagan, Executive Recruiter, at alanaga1@utk.edu.

About The College/Department/Division The Office of Budget and Finance provides support to university administrators in developing and implementing short and long-range financial plans for the Knoxville campus. The primary responsibilities include the preparation of the annual budget and the monitoring and tracking of the financial status of the Knoxville campus.