Description

Rutgers, The State University is seeking an Executive Director, Strategic Budget Modeling within the Financial Planning, Analysis and Budget department, the university’s central budget office. Reporting to the Vice President for Financial Planning and Analytics – Chief Budget Officer (VP for FP&A –CBO), the Executive Director of Strategic Budget Modeling leads the University’s enterprise-wide multi-year forecasting, scenario planning, and strategic budget modeling function. Serving as a senior thought partner to the VP for FP&A –CBO and working in partnership with the AVP of FP&A, campus CBOs, and executive leadership, the Director designs and maintains advanced forecasting frameworks that integrate and model all university operating revenues (including but not limited to net tuition and fees and auxiliaries) and expenses (including but not limited to student financial programs, personnel, non-personnel and strategic investments).

The Executive Director will oversee a high-performing team that serves as the University’s center of excellence for forecasting, what-if analyses, multi-year forecasting, and strategic financial insights aligned with the University’s long-term fiscal sustainability goals. The role also stewards the University’s Oracle EPM for Multi-Year Strategic Modeling, to advance literacy and adoption across the University.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

Strategic Forecasting & Financial Modeling

• Leads the design, enhancement, and governance of multi-year forecasting models covering all university operating revenues and expenses.
• In collaboration with institutional subject matter experts, develops institution-wide budget and finance forecasting methodologies, assumptions, and scenario frameworks with clear documentation and change control.
• Produces “what-if” and sensitivity analyses to evaluate external market shifts, policy changes, and strategic initiatives; translate findings into actionable recommendations for leadership.
• Ensures forecasting is tightly aligned with institutional mission, strategic priorities, and financial sustainability goals
• Incorporate predictive analytics and trend analysis to anticipate structural risks and opportunities before they materialize

Enterprise Budget Analytics & Decision Support

• Leads advanced analytics to assess financial performance, cost structures, program margins, and long-term risks/opportunities.
• Develops executive-ready decision memos and presentations for the CBO, CFO, President’s Office, and governing boards.
• Integrates academic/operational KPIs into financial outlooks; identifies trends and emerging issues, and proactively shares executive-ready insights.
• In collaboration with the AVP for FP&A, embeds forecasting and scenario planning into annual budget development and mid-year forecasts.
• Translates complex financial analyses into clear narratives that support informed decision-making for diverse audiences, including non-financial leaders.

Oracle Strategic Modeling Oversight & Campus Enablement

• Serves as lead expert for the Oracle Multi-Year Strategic Modeling tool.
• Partners with OIT, Data & Analytics, Financial Planning & Analytics and UCO staff to optimize forecasting capabilities and data pipelines.
• Advances multi-year strategic budget modeling literacy across the University: develops training, user guides, and communications to ensure finance staff and unit leaders become conversant with available Oracle EPM for Strategic Modeling and outputs.
• Implements Strategic Modeling governance, data-quality controls, and version-management processes.

Leadership, Team Management, and Staff Development

• Directly supervise two Strategic Budgeting Analysts; sets goals, assign work, coach, and conduct performance evaluations.
• In leading the Budget Analytics & Strategic Modeling team, sets vision, standards, and priorities; cultivates a high-functioning, service-oriented culture.
• Plans and delivers university-wide upskilling initiatives in forecasting, scenario modeling, and analytics for budget and finance staff.
• Mentors analysts and partners with campus finance leaders to expand institutional modeling, combined with analytical maturity and storytelling.
• Fosters a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and professional development.

Strategic Initiatives, Research, and Special Projects

• Leads cross-functional projects that require advanced modeling and fiscal strategy (e.g., reorganizations, new programs, shared services).
• Conducts benchmarking; recommends methodologies, policies, and tools that strengthen resilience and agility.
• Provides research and modeling on emerging institutional opportunities and risks. (demographics, enrollment markets, labor costs, etc.)
• Prepares executive presentations and materials for senior leadership and governing boards.

Requirements

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in finance, economics, data analytics, statistics, public policy, or related field.
• Eight (8) years of progressive experience in financial planning, forecasting, strategic budgeting, or institutional analytics (higher education experience preferred).

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated expertise in multi-year forecasting, scenario planning, and advanced revenue/expense modeling.
• Proven strategic thinking, systems-level analysis, and ability to navigate complex, decentralized environments.
• Supervisory experience and demonstrated ability to lead and develop analytical teams.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate complex analyses for non-financial audiences.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and BI tools (Tableau/Power BI); experience working with large administrative data sets (financial, student, HR).
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver accurate, timely outputs under deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree (MBA, MPA/MPP, MA/S in Analytics/Finance/Economics).
• Experience with Oracle EPM Cloud (EPBCS, PCMCS, FCCS, Strategic Modeling) and with ERP/GL, HR/Payroll, and student system integrations.
• Experience implementing rolling forecasts, predictive analytics, or enterprise multiyear planning.
• Experience implementing rolling forecasts, predictive analytics, or enterprise multiyear planning.
• Experience in estimating net tuition revenues and working with enrollment management and financial aid analytics.
• Experience with RCM or activity-based costing and cost pool methodologies.

Equipment Utilized

• Oracle EPM Suite (EPBCS, PCMCS, FCCS, Strategic Modeling).
• ERP/GL, HR/Payroll, Student and Research systems; institutional data warehouse.
• Advanced Excel, SQL/Access, Tableau/Power BI; collaboration platforms.

Special Conditions

• Occasional evening/weekend work during budget and forecasting cycles or system releases.
• This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, subject to approval and operational needs. A regular on-site presence of at least three (3) days per week is required, with additional on-site days as needed. Employees approved for a hybrid work arrangement must reside in NJ, NY, PA or DE and be within a commutable distance of the university.