Budget Officer

Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Budget, in the University Planning and Budget Office, we are seeking a Budget Officer who will provide support for the University's operating and capital budgeting processes, the Trustee Quarterly Reporting process, as well as participate in other University budget, planning and financial analysis tasks and initiatives.

General Summary

Johns Hopkins University has a $7 billion annual operating budget in addition to a $300 million annual capital budget. The University is made up of nine academic divisions, Sheridan Libraries, the Applied Physics Laboratory and several other divisions and institutes. The University Budget Office manages the development, monitoring and analysis of the University's Operating and Capital Budgets and Five-Year Plans. The University Budget Office works in a collaborative manner with the staff and management throughout the divisions and central administration.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Budget Preparation

• Participate in the formulation and development of the University Operating Budget and Five-Year Plan.
• This includes development of planning guidelines for divisional and University operating budgets, review and analysis of all budget documents in preparation for meetings with the University's Provost, Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration and divisional deans, as well as follow-up discussions to ensure the accuracy of all submissions.
• Support the University budget process by creating budget templates and other documents used by University divisions to submit budget information.
• Prepare data files, divisional summaries, and briefing presentations regarding divisional and University operating budgets using SAP, Microsoft Office products, and other budget preparation tools.
• Coordinate with senior University leadership, the Assistant Vice President of Planning and Budget, the Senior Director of Budget, Finance and Budget Office staff, and other University staff to prepare the final Operating and Capital Budget and Five-Year Plan presentations for the Trustee Finance Committee and full Board of Trustees.

Capital Budget Review and Analysis

• Develop business plans for major capital projects in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Facilities and Real Estate staff and the divisional business offices to ensure financial capacity as well as programmatic need.
• Compile and analyze the capital plan for reasonableness based on historical trends of timing of actual capital spending patterns vs. budget.

Financial Reporting

• In collaboration with the University Controller's Office, assist the Senior Director of Budget and other staff in the preparation of University quarterly reports for presentation to the University Trustee Finance Committee.
• This includes review and analysis of the operating results of all assigned divisions.
• Recommend and implement improvements to quarterly reports.
• Work closely with General Accounting to ensure alignment of the University's Modified Cash Reporting with the University's General Accepted Accounting Principles reporting.

Budget & Financial Analysis

• Analyze budgetary and financial trends and performance of assigned University divisions.
• This analysis requires technical and substantive review of divisional budget and financial material, independent research and consultation with divisional leadership and staff.
• Analyze variances from budget and divisional projections to prior year-to-date, year-to-date and year-end close. Work with divisional staff to develop recommendations for the improvement of divisional financial performance.
• Prepare presentations and memoranda for senior leadership summarizing results of analyses.

Special Projects

• Conduct in-depth research and analysis on financial, organizational, and budget issues and initiatives to provide senior leadership with information and recommendations, as assigned.

Lead Analyst

• Advise the Senior Director of Budget and Assistant Vice President of Planning and Budget on matters related to the University's Operating Budget.
• Assist the Senior Director of Budget in improving the budget planning and reporting processes and enhance the analytic capacity of the budget team.
• Under the direction of the Senior Director of Budget, support other members of the budget team in completing analyses, financial reports, and presentation materials.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated outstanding analytical skills that allow for interpretation of budgetary, financial and related organizational performance or management information.
• Demonstrated skills in quantitative financial and budget analyses, including the development of financial models used to forecast financial results under different scenarios.
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have ability to build strong relationships with people at all levels of the organization.
• Advanced technical experience in the use of financial software to develop and maintain financial models and automated financial reports.
• Working knowledge of general accounting principles and practices with an emphasis on university financial accounting.
• Demonstrated skills in formulating and implementing financial policies and standards to ensure accountability and compliance with policies and procedures.

Scope of Responsibility

• Divisional Operating and Capital Plan oversight.
• Trustee quarterly reporting management for assigned divisions.
• Provide guidance to the Planning and Budget Office staff.
• Financial analysis and reporting.
• Development of business plans to support capital investment.
• Functional Interactions with University Leadership and Staff
  

To perform essential job functions, the Budget Officer must work closely with the following Universitystaff.

• Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration.
• Chief Financial Officer.
• Assistant Vice President of Planning and Budget and key staff.
• University Controller and key staff.
• Facilities and Real Estate Office key staff.
• University Treasury Office key staff.
• Senior Director of Budget.
• General Accounting Director and key staff.
• Deans and faculty.
• Divisional Business and Budget Officers.
• University President and Provost staff, as needed.

Decision Making

• Recommend actions related to University and divisional financial and budget planning.

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• A minimum of five years (and preferably seven years) of progressively responsible budget and financial analysis experience is required.

• A master's Degree in Finance, Business, Public Administration or related field is preferred.
• Ex.