Widener University
Director of Financial Analysis
🇺🇸 Hybrid - Chester, PA
🕑 Full-Time
💰 TBD
💻 Finance
🗓️ July 17th, 2025
Power BI
Python
SQL
Edtech.com's Summary
Widener University is hiring a Director of Financial Analysis to serve within the Office of the Provost. The Director will lead financial planning, budgeting, and strategic financial analysis to align resources with academic goals and support data-informed decision-making across academic affairs units.
Highlights
- Lead annual and multi-year budgeting processes in collaboration with academic leadership.
- Provide financial modeling, forecasting, and strategic guidance for academic programs and faculty plans.
- Collaborate with deans and directors on staffing evaluations and workforce planning.
- Partner with Institutional Research to support academic program reviews and data-driven decision-making.
- Develop and improve budget processes, internal controls, and fiscal compliance measures.
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, or related field required; master's preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of financial planning, analysis, or budgeting experience.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., Ellucian Colleague, Workday) and data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI) preferred.
- Strong communication skills to present complex financial data to non-financial stakeholders.
- Occasional evening or weekend work required during budget cycles; collaborative interaction with faculty and academic leaders.
Director of Financial Analysis Full Description
Widener University seeks a dynamic and strategic leader to serve as the inaugural Director of Financial Analysis within the Office of the Provost. This newly created role is responsible for advancing financial planning, data-informed decision-making, and fiscal stewardship across all academic affairs units. Reporting directly to the Provost, the Director will provide high-level financial analysis, budget development, and strategic consultation that aligns institutional resources with academic priorities and long-term goals.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):
Essential duties:
Strategic Budget Planning and Analysis
- Develop and lead annual and multi-year budgeting processes in partnership with the Provost and academic affairs leadership.
- Provide strategic financial guidance to academic units to support operational planning and sustainability.
- Deliver advanced financial modeling and forecasting to evaluate new and existing academic programs, faculty hiring plans, and special initiatives.
Academic Resource and Workforce Planning
- Collaborate with deans and directors to evaluate and recommend staffing changes aligned with institutional goals and budget constraints.
- Coordinate cost-benefit analyses related to faculty and staff recruitment, academic initiatives, and capital investments.
- Oversee the position control process and ensure alignment with organizational and financial priorities.
Data-Informed Program Review and Decision Support
- Partner with Institutional Research and the Provost’s leadership team to lead comprehensive academic program reviews.
- Translate institutional data into decision-ready insights that inform policy, budgeting, and investment in academic affairs.
- Prepare compelling financial reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
Operational Effectiveness and Fiscal Compliance
- Establish, evaluate, and enhance budget processes and internal controls within academic affairs.
- Recommend and implement systems, tools, and practices that increase transparency and operational efficiency.
- Ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal financial policies and procedures.
Additional Responsibilities
- Represent the Provost’s Office on relevant committees and initiatives.
- Engage in continuous improvement and professional development.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education/training and experience required):
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, or related field.
- At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in financial planning, analysis, or budgeting.
- Demonstrated experience working in a collaborative, cross-functional environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information for non-financial stakeholders.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, pivot tables, and modeling.
- Proven ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and integrity.
- Strong organizational skills; able to manage multiple priorities with accuracy and flexibility.
Preferred:
- Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Finance, Public Administration, or related discipline.
- Experience in higher education or another mission-driven, complex organization.
- Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., Ellucian Colleague, Workday, Banner).
- Experience with data visualization and reporting tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
- Basic programming knowledge (e.g., SQL, R, Python) to support data analysis is a plus.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:
- Standard office environment; significant use of computer and communication technology.
- High level of interaction with faculty, academic leaders, and administrative partners.
- Ability to move between campus buildings for meetings and consultations.
- Occasional evening or weekend hours required, particularly during budget planning cycles.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.
Some positions may be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement that may include a partially or fully remote work location, consistent with Widener’s Flexible Work policy.
Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. Located in Chester, PA, Widener's main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both Harrisburg and Wilmington. For more information about the university, please visit our website at www.widener.edu.
EOE M/F/V/D
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