Senior Director, Budget

Department

BSD AFA - Accounting and Financial Analysis

About the Department

The University of Chicago biomedical enterprise houses three entities: the Biological Sciences Division (BSD), the University of Chicago Medicine (UCM), and the Pritzker School of Medicine. Collectively called UCM, we are one of the nation's leading academic medical institutions and have been at the forefront of discovery, education, and clinical care since 1927. Located 20 minutes south of downtown Chicago, our Hyde Park main campus provides a single environment for learning, world-renowned basic science and clinical research, and outstanding clinical care.

The BSD is the largest academic unit within the University. The BSD is comprised of faculty from ten basic science departments, 13 clinical departments, and several Centers and Institutes. The approximately 1,300 faculty and 3,000 staff members working in the BSD collaborate across the organization to achieve our Mission, Vision, and Values (MVV):

MISSION: As part of the University of Chicago, we pursue globally impactful solutions to seemingly unsolvable challenges. Through our rigorous research, innovative education, and comprehensive care and healing, we collaborate on life-changing advancements that create meaningful results for our community and the world, including a greater, more equitable future for all.

VISION: Together, we elevate the human experience with knowledge and health care.

VALUES:
•Commit to Excellence: We contribute our exceptional talents to all we do and empower the same spirit of excellence in others.
•Embrace Curiosity: We stay open to new ideas, champion diverse perspectives, and drive a culture of thoughtful risk-taking to deliver transformative innovation.
•Embody Equity: We identify systemic issues and then foster change to drive a more equitable environment inclusive of diverse people, ideas, and fields of science.
•Grow Together: We meaningfully collaborate with one another to create something bigger than we could ever achieve alone.
•Make a Difference: We lead with heart and compassion in all our interactions. We create positive change in our areas of influence, whether expanding scientific inquiry, developing the next generation of leaders, or healing our community.
•Take Ownership: We accomplish what we say we will and hold ourselves and one another accountable for our actions.

The MVV serves as our True North, charting our strategic plan for the next ten years and beyond. It is an exciting time to be a part of the University of Chicago and the BSD. Our team is helping to shape the future for our learners, staff, faculty, patients, and community.

Job Summary

The Senior Director, Budget provides analytic and operational leadership across the Biological Sciences Division, collaborating with finance leadership, service delivery unit personnel, academic and administrative leaders across the BSD and the university, as well as finance and budget personnel at the Medical Center to advance both short and long term goals and priorities. This role leads and supports annual budget and monthly budget forecast processes, including the development and management of both recurring and non-recurring operating budgets. Manages the financial operations of operating and capital budgets, develops long- and short-term financial goals, business strategies, and financial forecasts for major service programs and initiatives, and coordinates quarterly and year-end operating budget reporting. Manages financial administrators who focus on annual operating and capital budgets as well as monthly forecasting.

Responsibilities

• Leads and champions the development, implementation, and monitoring of operating budget targets within the Biological Sciences Division, driving cross-functional collaboration and ensuring alignment with University-wide budgetary priorities.

• Works in close partnership with functional leaders to prepare high-level budget targets for key drivers of fiscal performance, including Clinical Research, Clinical Volumes, Federal and Non-Federal Awards, and spending assumptions.

• Coordinates budget planning calendar across the Biological Sciences Division, the University, and the Medical Center, synchronizing and integrating financial planning processes and collaborating effectively to ensure deadlines and priorities are achieved.

• In partnership with the Associate Dean of Facilities Services, oversees the development and financial management of capital budgets. 

• Together with the Accounting and Facilities teams, reports on Capital investment preparation of financial estimates for capital planning. 

• Manages financial administrators, providing leadership, guidance, and professional development opportunities that ensure the provision of critical analytical and budgetary support to decision-makers across units.

• Develops, interprets, and implements highly complex financial/accounting concepts and advanced techniques for financial planning and forecasting.

• Pioneers the development, implementation, and enforcement of standard operating procedures for annual and monthly budget processes to ensure consistency and accuracy; anticipates and integrates updates as needed.

• In partnership with the Strategy & Analytics team, prepares budget management reports and Department level packages that provide insight into the trends and assumptions in prepared budgets.

• Prepares a top-down budget with key drivers of assumptions to be leveraged to compare to the individual budgets prepared by departments and business units as well as provides an interim roll-up of the budget data throughout the budget build process.

• Promotes a dynamic culture of innovation and continuous improvement including identifying, enhancing, and reimaging process efficiency and effectiveness that have organization-wide impact.

• Forges strong partnerships, collaborating with senior management and stakeholders across the enterprise to gather, analyze, summarize, and prepare strategic recommendations regarding financial plans, operating forecasts, and other complex financial matters in support of a standard of operational excellence.

• Supports the development of long-range capital and operating budget forecasts to support strategic investments and future expansion.

• Works closely with information technology staff to coordinate and lead improvements and transformations on enterprise-wide budgeting and financial reporting systems and tools, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of the University.

• Engages with and leverages AI tools to optimize financial work flows, analysis, and decision making.

• Working in partnership with the accounting team, reports on variances between the approved budget and actual performance, and recommends strategies to drive achieving the planned budget and associated changes to processes to support its achievement.

• As part of managing professional staff, develops performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for direct subordinates.

• Manages financial staff through subordinates, usually other managers and professional staff. Establishes performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for the related departments managed.

• Executes functional business plans and contributes to the development of financial goals, strategies, plans, and policies for the unit.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading financial planning and budget processes.

• Healthcare experience.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to analyze complex financial data and create detailed reports.

• Expertise in financial modeling and quantitative analysis.

• Demonstrated understanding of advanced financial and accounting concepts, budgeting processes, and financial forecasting.

• Knowledge of budgetary procedures and financial regulations.

• Ability to prepare and present financial and administrative information clearly to diverse audiences.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Capable of coordinating multiple projects and managing timelines effectively.

• Develop and implement standard operating procedures.

• Ability to manage teams, providing guidance, and ensuring timely completion of tasks.

• Commitment to promoting a culture of continuous improvement and efficiency.

• Ability to lead with exceptional adaptability and agility, including responding to evolving priorities and strategic shifts proactively while embracing change and transformation.

• Ability to develop and implement metrics and methodologies for financial performance evaluation.

• Flexibility in managing changing priorities and dynamic financial environments.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

• Cover Letter (preferred)

Job Family

Financial Management

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$175,000.00 - $230,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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