Engineering a world of possibilities

The Colorado School of Mines is a public R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering, producing the talent, knowledge and solutions to service industry and benefit society. Mines has a strong reputation and celebrates high rankings due to its STEM-focused education and research results.

The Office of Finance, Administration and Operations (FA&O) provides critical support to the mission and forward-thinking strategic initiatives while managing $325 million in operating activity, stewarding $1 billion in assets, and supporting 1400 faculty and staff.

The Assistant Director of Budget and Financial Planning leads support for Colorado School of Mine’s President’s Office, Finance, Administration and Operations (FA&O), and Student Life units. The position reports directly to the Director of Budget and Financial Planning and supervises a budget and financial analyst II. The position is responsible for operating budget management, routine and non-routine institution-wide forecasts, annual budget processes, cost projections, revenue projections, financial analysis , and scenario projections.

Additionally, this position is responsible for procedural documentation, budgeting system implementation, and financial data communication into high-level summary reports. This position requires critical and strategic thinking, highly effective communication skills, the ability to perform robust financial analyses, independent problem-solving skills, effective and collaborative interpersonal abilities, detail orientation, initiative, and the ability to manage simultaneous, high-profile projects.

This position may have a hybrid work location (in Colorado) and requires a routine on-campus presence. The Colorado School of Mines provides dedicated professional development and training. Onboarding for this position includes training on policies and procedures, and technical training opportunities for systems and technology required for this role.

The Colorado School of Mines is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Primary Responsibilities

Lead and Manage Financial and Strategic Budgeting

• Lead financial and strategic budget partner for the President’s Office; Finance, Administration, and Operations (FA&O); and Student Life.
• Managing this campus portfolio by meeting regularly and serving as a financial consultant for campus leaders.
• Responsible for developing revenue projections, cost projections, position management support, benchmarking, and ad-hoc reporting for executive leaders, directors, and department managers, including monthly and year-end projections.
• Effectively communicating complex information in a consumable format to  senior leadership and departmental contacts

Leadership and Supervision

• Supervising a budget and financial analyst II and ensuring their growth and development.
• Collaborate with campus partners on business and system process improvements, focusing on the campus user experience.
• Contributes to a high-performance, service-oriented culture characterized by respect, inclusion, collaboration, and professionalism.
• Participate in campus committees and other leadership assignments as needed.

Financial Analytics and Modeling

• Contribute to implementing new financial modeling software and developing its reporting capabilities.
• Develop annual and long-term financial funding models for units in their reporting portfolio.
• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to inform strategic decisions for executive leadership.
• Enhance and identify new financial analytics for campus decision-makers. 
• Be able to effectively communicate modeling results through written, presentation, and other methods.

Minimum Qualifications                                                                               

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance, or related field.
• Five or more years of professional experience.
• Experience in Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced abilities in Excel.
• Ability to manage and understand complex information systems.
• An analytical mindset for reporting, process improvement, and data analysis.
• Experience managing multiple projects.
• Collaborative approach to problems and projects.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Project management skills.
• Exceptional communication.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in accounting, business, finance, or related field.
• Experience in higher education.
• Experience in Workday.
• Supervision experience.
• Professional certification (CPA, CMA) or terminal degree.
• Ability to take ownership of a project, process or problem and take it through resolution, requiring minimal supervision or direction.
• Effectively manages multiple priorities simultaneously under tight deadlines, displaying grace under pressure.
• Promotes efficiency in processes and workflows, formulating and recommending improvements.
• Exhibits creativity, intellectual curiosity, and business acumen when approaching business or work-related problems.
• Exhibits empathy, maturity, and professionalism when approaching people-related problems.
• Superior communication skills, displaying executive presence in meetings and summarizing communications appropriately for executive audiences.
• Ability to effectively maintain and manage relationships across the institution at all levels, establishing and building upon trust and credibility.
• Knowledge of higher education budgeting and financial planning practices.

Salary and Benefits

$107,000 - $111,000

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

• Flexible health and dental care options
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
• Free RTD Ecopass

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the on-campus Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more), equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center and the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP). Coming soon is an on-campus daycare center. For more information about benefits at Mines, go to mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

How to Apply

Applicants must:

Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status)

• Upload a resume or CV
• Upload a cover letter

This posting will close September 29, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Applications will not be accepted after that time. We anticipate campus interviews to take place by early November, with an offer extended by the Thanksgiving holiday.

References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.

Mines welcomes everyone to our team; in your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc).

It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities to promote diversity and inclusion at Mines. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at  [email protected] or 303.273.3250 for assistance.

Successful Completion of a Background Investigation is Required for this Position.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting