AVP for Academic Budget and Financial Planning – Office of the Provost job with Carnegie Mellon University

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Reporting to the Provost, the Associate Vice Provost for Academic
Budget and Financial Planning (AVP) provides strategic direction
for managing the overall institutional budget, resource planning
and administrative processes for the academic units reporting to
the Provost’s Office, as well as developing financial models and
providing budget guidance for academic strategic initiatives. This
role reinforces Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) strategic goals
for the university community to focus on efficient, effective,
transparent, and agile business practices in order to support the
growing needs of an evolving organization.

The AVP will act as a liaison and consultant to business and
financial officers in the colleges, schools and departments to
coordinate academic budgets, resource planning, and to provide
financial reporting to the Provost and other university partners.
In partnership with university business managers and colleagues in
the Finance Division, the AVP will work with the Provost, the Vice
Provost for Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff, the Vice
Provost for Institutional Effectiveness and Planning, and the
leadership of academic units to enhance communication and
information sharing while enhancing a budget model that supports
the university’s education and research mission. They will
participate in various planning discussions and committees,
bringing a fiscal view to the work being done in support of Provost
initiatives and the strategic plan of the university. Together with
the departments, schools, and colleges, the AVP will assess
existing practices and make recommendations for improvement,
creating efficiencies, improving policies and processes, maximizing
the use of data and analytics, and reducing duplication and costs
throughout the university.

The Provost will rely on the AVP to encourage fiscal discipline,
prioritization, and a data-informed approach in decision making,
including a partnership with the Offices of Institutional
Effectiveness and Planning, Enrollment Management, Research, and
the Division of Finance to research, analyze, interpret, and apply
data to decisions regarding sustainable and transparent fiscal and
academic planning. The AVP will play a crucial role as a convener,
thought leader, and change agent, supporting the Provost’s
strategic and operational objectives through budget and financial
planning leadership. This role will require the development of
complex forecasting and financial models to assess the financial
performance in all academic areas of the university. While the AVP
will not have direct reports, they will have the opportunity to
build and work with a dynamic network of collaborators. The AVP
will advise the Provost on fiscal matters and provide leadership
for improving and implementing the academic budget model and
financial stability and acumen of academic units, which helps to
realize the campus mission, vision, and strategic and academic
priorities.

In collaboration with colleagues in the provost, research, and
finance divisions, the AVP will enable faculty, students, and staff
to support the mission of the university. CMU is seeking someone
who will bring a proven track record of building effective
relationships, financial modeling in an academic setting, crafting
and managing effective budgetary and financial practices and
internal controls, and a demonstrated ability to collaborate across
a variety of organizations with competing needs and
priorities.

As a member of the Provost’s leadership team, this high visibility
position serves as a strategic partner in creating an environment
that promotes and supports strategic budget and resource
allocation.

Core Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership in advancing a premier financial
  planning and analysis operation by continuing to improve our
  existing processes and oversight and management of planning and
  management reporting efforts
• Enhance the quality of financial analytics and insight
  generation, including a robust modeling capacity to support
  financial and capital-related initiatives
• Manage the process for planning the annual budget for all
  academic units, including the process for collecting and
  prioritizing the academic investments for the academic units
  reporting to the Office of the Provost
• Develop long range forecasts and scenario planning for academic
  units as well as major strategic initiatives such as distance
  education, global engagement, AI and emerging technologies
• Serve as a primary liaison form the provost’s office for the
  Office of Budget and Financial Planning and as member of the
  university Budget and Financial Planning Team
• Proactively model and forecast financial decisions and provide
  guidance in support of Provost decision-making and educational
  initiatives
• Develop clear, consistent and transparent financial reports,
  extensive and updated process documentation for academic units that
  include commitments from the Provost
• Assist academic units with implementing the activity-based
  budget model and support planning needs of academic units
• Serve as the liaison and convenor from the provost’s office to
  the academic unit planning process to develop, monitor, and report
  on academic unit plans that align fiscal, human, and physical
  resources with strategic academic priorities.
• Support planning for academic space requirements and work with
  deans, university registrar and colleagues in campus design and
  facilities development to accommodate faculty, staff, and
  instructional needs; serve with the provost on the space committee
  to assist with resolving space needs; and implement space
  plans.
• Advises Provost on oversight and policies concerning the
  University’s budget.
• Serves as a thought partner on strategic budget planning issues
  and improvement of budget processes.
• Analyzes financial information from university systems and
  provides information in support of decision-making and
  communication with university constituents.
• Analyzes funding sources in support of decisions related to
  specific funding requests and/or other strategic issues as
  needed.
• Serve as a primary contact for the Finance Division and as a
  member of the university Budget Team and liaison with the Faculty
  Senate Budget & Financial Affairs Council.
• Coordinate the planning process for the Provost’s Office and
  academic units.
• On behalf of the provost’s office, reviews and authorizes
  receipt of gifts and makes recommendations on designations of
  unrestricted gifts to support academic priorities
• Partner closely with the Office of the Vice President for
  Research and their and finance staff on the research budgets for
  each academic unit reporting to the Provost

Selected other responsibilities:

• Represents the Provost in meetings and in correspondence
  related to budget and finance with leaders of academic units as
  liaison from the Provost’s Office to the academic unit planning
  process to develop, monitor, and report on academic unit plans that
  align fiscal, human, and physical resources with strategic academic
  priorities.
• Serve as liaison from the Provost’s Office to model financial
  decisions and provide guidance as it relates to student
  initiatives.
• Support planning for academic space requirements and work with
  deans, university registrar and colleagues in campus design and
  facilities development to accommodate faculty, staff, and
  instructional needs; serve with the Provost on the Space Committee
  to assist with resolving space needs; and implement space
  plans.

Opportunities and Challenges of the Role:

• The university’s budget is highly complex and many of the
  stakeholders in the budget and planning processes have limited
  fiscal management experience. The new AVP will need to possess an
  ability to translate complex information into more accessible
  terms.
• The office of the provost is strongly committed to data
  collection and analysis. Major decisions made within the university
  must be data-informed.
• Building trust and credibility with a large number of people
  and departments across the institution is critical for success in
  the AVP role.

Measures of Success:

At an appropriate interval after joining CMU, the following items
will define success for the new associate vice provost for academic
budget:

• The AVP has earned the trust and confidence of the provost and
  senior colleagues in the office of the provost.
• A welcoming tone has been established that invites
  collaboration and encourages members of the campus community to
  share in the responsibility of creating a strong organization and
  seamless learning environment.
• A vision for academic budgeting has been articulated and
  embraced by stakeholders across the division.
• A strong collaborative relationship with all aspects of the
  campus community, including deans, faculty, administrative
  colleagues, and other stakeholders has been established.

Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or accounting and at
least ten years of progressively responsible budget/finance
experience in a higher education environment are required. A
master’s degree and academic unit/department level experience are
strongly preferred. The ideal candidate will possess a strong
financial systems background with proven experience with financial
reporting systems; and an understanding and demonstrated working
knowledge of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB)
accounting standards, and regulations and cost accounting standards
related to higher education.

• In addition, campus stakeholders identified the following
  characteristics, skills, and abilities as important for the next
  associate vice provost:
  • Emotional intelligence to work with many professionals and
    offices toward a common mission of enhancing higher education
    opportunities;
  • A willingness to ask questions, seek help when needed, and
    build a collaborative network of key stakeholders
  • Possess a record of superior communication skills, successful
    relationship building, and collaboration with internal stakeholder
    groups;
  • An exceptional listener and communicator;
  • A patient and measured approach, and the ability to maintain
    professionalism in difficult situations;
  • The ability to think strategically and work as a hands-on
    member of the team;
  • Be confident, innovative, and energetic;
  • A commitment to data-based decision making and the ability to
    effectively collect and analyze relevant data in close
    collaboration with data partners;
  • A creative, entrepreneurial approach;
  • A willingness to accept input from peers and colleagues, admit
    mistakes, and identify alternatives.

Requirements:

• Successful background check

Contact:

Ferra Executive Search has been retained to manage the search. If
you have any inquiries or nominations, please send an email
to:

Kevin Ferra, Founding Partner

Ferra Executive Search

[email protected]

Please use ‘AVP for Academic Budgeting and Financial Planning’ as
the subject line when you contact Kevin.

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional
benefits available to eligible employees.

Those employees who are benefits eligible have the opportunity to
experience the full spectrum of advantages from comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and
vision insurance to an enticing retirement savings program offering a
generous employer contribution. You can also unlock your potential
with tuition benefits and take well-deserved
breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays . Finally, rest easy knowing you are
covered by life and accidental death and disability
insurance.

Other perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass,
our Family Concierge Team to help navigate
childcare needs, fitness center access , and so much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits that may be
awaiting you, explore our Benefits page .

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending
offers of employment. Beyond just credentials, we consider the role
and responsibilities, your invaluable work experience, and the
knowledge gained through education and training. We acknowledge and
appreciate your unique skills and the diverse perspective you
bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s
about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and
personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an
exceptional organization?! Apply today!

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function

Financial Planning, Analysis, Accounting and Reporting

Position Type

Staff – Regular

Full Time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

Salary

More Information:

• Please visit “ Why Carnegie
  Mellon ” to learn more about becoming part of an
  institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
• Click here to view
  a listing of employee benefits
• Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity
  Employer/Disability/Veteran .
• Statement of Assurance