Senior Director of Strategic Finance and FP&A

South University provides a warm, supportive learning environment that will encourage you to join a community of faculty, staff and students eager to play a role in helping you achieve your professional goals, on campus and online.
 
 The South University 125-year story—past, present, and future—is a history formed by the many individuals who have developed the education and spirit of community that have become our pledge to students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters of South University. Whether you have been part of the University family for many years, have recently come our way, or are thinking about joining us, you will find South University to be a place you can call home.
 
 What's next for you is the first priority for us!
 
 Visit www.southuniversity.edu today to learn more about what makes us stand apart as a place where you can make a difference in the lives of students eager to learn and grow.
 
 South University, the right direction for a brighter future.
 
 Benefits:
 *Medical
 *Dental
 *Vision
 FSA/HSA
 Tuition Assistant Program
 Long/Short Term Disability
 Life Insurance
 Employee Assistance Program
 401K Match
 Paid Time Off
 12 Paid Holidays
 * includes domestic partner coverage
 
 SUMMARY:
The Senior Director of Strategic Finance and FP&A is a forward-thinking finance leader who turns data into direction. The role is equal parts hands-on modeling expert, insightful storyteller, and team mentor. Reporting jointly to Finance leadership, the Senior Director translates enrollment trends, program economics, and cohort behavior into clear choices on pricing, resource allocation, and capital strategy. Partnering with executives, the position identifies emerging opportunities, quantifies trade-offs, and keeps the University ahead of covenant, cash-flow, and growth targets. Its guiding purpose is to tighten the link between daily actions and the financial outcomes that sustain South University’s mission.

KEY JOB ELEMENTS:
1. Develop and deliver monthly reporting package, including analyzing variances between actuals and forecasts, identifying key drivers and recommending adjustments as necessary.
2. Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) for financial and operational performance.
3. Produce regular reports for senior leadership, highlighting financial performance against key metrics.
4. Develop and maintain financial models to support budgeting, forecasting, and decision-making processes.
5. Conduct in-depth financial analysis to identify trends, variances, and opportunities for improvement. Includes strategic analysis and scenario planning.
6. Provide actionable insights and data-driven recommendations to senior management based on financial analysis.
7. Lead the quarterly forecasting process to provide accurate and timely financial projections.
8. Lead the annual budgeting process, working closely with department heads to establish realistic financial targets aligned with business objectives and the University’s strategic plan and long-range plan.
9. Provide analysis and business insight to other Finance/Accounting managers and teams to allow for process improvement.
10. Partners with senior leadership to evaluate financial performance, assess risks, and align resources with institutional goals.
11. Effectively use the University’s business intelligence and data warehouse to improve efficiencies and accuracy of financial models and reporting
12. Other duties as assigned
13. Travel Requirement: Up to 25%

JOB REQUIREMENTS:
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics required. MBA or MS Analytics preferred.
• 10+ years progressive FP&A/Strategic Finance experience including 3+ at a director-level in a data-rich environment
• Deep fluency in higher ed revenue recognition, Title IV cash flow, and student lifecycle economics.
• Must have extensive experience in building and maintaining complex models in areas revenue, cash, pricing, business startups and close outs.
• Experience with systems implementation or transformation projects.
• Exceptional analytical abilities for in-depth financial analysis and decision-making.
• Must be an Excel expert
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Superior organizational and problem resolution skills.
• Must be able to do the work as well as mentor and develop a team.
• Unrelenting intellectual curiosity; pushes past the first answer to uncover root drivers.
• Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence at all levels of the organization.
• Responsive and positive engagement with students, staff, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work without close supervision and to set one's own priorities and work schedule.
• Calm under pressure; thrives in deadline heavy close/budget cycles

ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The term "qualified individual with a disability" means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, over the telephone, through email and other electronic means, move about the office or school, handle various types of media and equipment, and visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 10 pounds unless otherwise specified in the job description.
 
South University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity as a critical step in ensuring employee, student and graduate success. We are committed to building and developing a diverse environment where a variety of ideas, cultures and perspectives can thrive.