Executive Director, Strategic Budget Modeling

Overview

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the State of New Jersey's preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. As one of the largest employers in the State of New Jersey, Rutgers University is committed not only to the students and the State that we serve, but also to the faculty and staff who work on our campuses.

Ranked in 2022 by Forbes as a top 100 best large employer in America,
Rutgers' commitment to its employees includes maintaining and fostering a safe, diverse, and respectful workplace environment, creating employment opportunities for our nation's military veterans, and ensuring accessibility and accommodation for individuals with disabilities. University Finance and Administration (UFA) advances Rutgers' strategic priorities through the management of all central financial, administrative, and student information systems and processes. We supply the university's financial community the professional guidance, services, tools, and information needed to make the informed decisions that contribute to Rutgers' standing as an academic, health, and research powerhouse.

We are deeply committed to our guiding principles and the core values that are critical for the long‑term strategic growth of our division and the university. For more information, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

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.

• 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.

• 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.
• T…