Developing and maintaining sophisticated financial models, forecasts, and scenario analyses is central to this Budget Analyst role. The position supports university-wide budget development, financial planning, analysis, reporting, and budget administration across a decentralized research university, suiting a professional with strong analytical and communication skills.
Responsibilities
Develop and maintain sophisticated financial models, forecasts, and scenario analyses that integrate financial, enrollment, workforce, student-aid, research, and operational data
Support annual operating budget development; tuition, fee, and enrollment analysis; personnel and fringe modeling; cost allocations under the University’s current Responsibility Center Management (RCM) framework; quarterly forecasting; and evaluation of financial risks, opportunities, and resource requests
Convert complex data into clear, accurate, and decision-oriented narratives, visualizations, dashboards, presentations, and executive summaries for senior leadership, governing bodies, campus and unit financial leaders, and other stakeholders
Identify material trends and variances, test assumptions, explain financial drivers, and present options and recommendations that connect financial results to institutional priorities
Work independently on high-impact assignments, exercise sound judgment with confidential and sensitive information, including financial and compensation analyses related to collective bargaining agreements and negotiations
Collaborate across academic, research, health-related, and administrative units
Support the effective operation and analysis of the current RCM model and related allocation processes
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree, preferably in accounting, finance, economics, business administration, data analytics, public administration, or a related field
Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in budgeting, financial planning and analysis, accounting, or a closely related analytical function
Advanced ability to design and maintain complex, linked financial models; develop scenarios and forecasts; perform variance, trend, sensitivity, and cost-benefit analyses; and identify material financial drivers
Strong understanding of operating budgets, financial information, revenue and expense behavior, personnel costs, fringe benefits, commitments, and recurring versus nonrecurring resources
Ability to work with large, diverse data sets; reconcile information across systems; evaluate data quality; test reasonableness; and maintain clear model documentation and controls
Ability to move from an ambiguous business question to a structured analytical approach, defensible conclusions, practical alternatives, and concise recommendations
Millions of jobs, with real people getting hired every day
200,000+
New jobs added daily
7,000,000+
Verified job listings
1,000,000+
Tailored applications submitted
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including complex formulas, pivot tables, lookup and aggregation functions, data validation, scenario tools, and efficient management of large data sets
Proficiency with presentation and reporting tools, including PowerPoint, data visualization or business-intelligence platforms
Experience using enterprise resource planning, budgeting, financial reporting, or comparable integrated business systems
Ability to learn and adapt to evolving financial systems, data structures, reporting platforms, and analytical methods
Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with demonstrated ability to explain complex financial information accurately and clearly to non-financial audiences
About the Company
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a decentralized research university. The University Office of Financial Planning, Analysis, and Budget is the central office that supports university-wide budget development, financial planning, analysis, reporting, and budget administration.
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, stands among America’s highest-ranked, most diverse public research universities.
