Lead Capital Budgeting Officer

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address):

220 Hutchison Rd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14620

Opening:

Worker Subtype:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Department:

100130 Office of Budgets and Planning

Work Shift:

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:

UR URG 114

Compensation Range:

$86,900.00 - $130,300.00

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Responsibilities

• Leads the University’s capital budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and financial governance processes. Partners closely with Finance, Operations, Facilities, Procurement, IT, and business leadership to ensure capital investments are strategically aligned, financially sound, and effectively managed. Oversees the annual capital planning process, develops and maintains capital budgets and forecasts, evaluates investment proposals, monitors project spending and commitments, and provides senior leadership with clear visibility into capital allocation, utilization, risks, and returns. Identifies University-wide budgetary issues, assumes leadership or plays a key role in task forces, committees, and working groups, and performs special studies. Assembles final budget documents and schedules for presentation to the Board of Trustees. Implements the budget once Board approval is granted.

Essential Functions:

• Provides monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting on capital spending, commitments, forecasts, and variances. Analyzes actual results against budgets and forecasts, and identifies significant trends, risks, and opportunities. Develops executive-level reporting and presentations for senior leadership and Finance leadership. Identifies University-wide budgetary issues, assumes leadership or plays a key role in task forces, committees, and working groups, and performs special studies. Tracks project-level financial performance, including budget-to-actual spending, remaining commitments, and projected completion costs. Develops financial models and scenario analyses to support major capital investment decisions. Identifies opportunities to improve capital allocation and investment returns.
• Leads the annual company-wide capital budgeting and planning process. Develops capital expenditure budgets, forecasts, and long-range plans across business units and functions. Partners with business leaders to develop and evaluate capital investment proposals. Establishes appropriate financial assumptions, business cases, return on investment (ROI) analyses, and payback expectations for major capital investments. Ensures capital requests are aligned with strategic priorities, financial targets, and approved investment criteria. Assembles final budget documents and schedules for presentation to the Board of Trustees. Implements the budget once Board approval is granted. Manages capital budget submissions, reviews, approvals, and reallocations throughout the fiscal year. Maintains accurate and comprehensive capital expenditure forecasts.
• Establishes and maintains capital budgeting policies, procedures, approval thresholds, and governance processes. Ensures capital expenditures comply with company policies, internal controls, and accounting requirements. Partners with Accounting and Finance to ensure appropriate capitalization, project closeout, and financial reporting. Monitors capital commitments and identifies potential budget overruns or underutilization. Supports internal and external audit activities related to capital expenditures. Improves controls, processes, and reporting systems related to capital management.
• Serves as a strategic Finance partner to senior leaders and capital-intensive business functions. Challenges assumptions and provides objective financial guidance on investment decisions. Facilitates cross-functional capital planning meetings and investment reviews. Translates complex financial information into clear recommendations for non-financial stakeholders. Builds strong relationships with operational leaders while maintaining appropriate financial discipline.
• Continuously improves the capital budgeting and forecasting process.
• Identifies opportunities to automate reporting, improve data quality, and increase forecast accuracy. Partners with stakeholders to enhance financial systems and reporting capabilities. Develops standardized tools, templates, dashboards, and processes for capital management. Supports implementation or optimization of ERP, planning, and business intelligence systems.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field and 6 years of progressive experience in financial planning and analysis, capital budgeting, corporate finance, accounting, or related discipline required.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated experience managing capital budgets and forecasts in a large or complex organization required.
• Experience in a multibillion-dollar organization with decentralized business units or similarly complex enterprise environment preferred.
• Experience managing large-scale capital programs or portfolios preferred.
• Experience with ERP and financial planning systems such as Workday, Anaplan, or similar platforms preferred.
• Experience developing executive-level financial presentations and recommendations preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong financial modeling, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis skills required.
• Advanced Excel and financial reporting capabilities required.
• Strong understanding of financial statements, capital expenditures, and accounting principles required.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills required.
• Proven ability to work effectively with senior business and Finance leaders required.
• Strong project management and organizational skills required.

Licenses and Certifications:

• CMA, CPA, CFA, or other relevant advanced certification preferred.

• The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.