Principal Financial Analyst

Job Summary

Under the general supervision of the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, the Principal Analyst provides strategic leadership in financial and resource planning, budget development and management, and analytical support across a complex portfolio of departments and programs. The position serves as a lead financial expert for the division, managing multi-source budgets that may include state funds, student fees, contracts and grants, gift and endowment funds, auxiliary income, and other revenue sources.

The Principal Analyst is responsible for supporting the financial health of the departments and units they are assigned to, serving as the primary advisor on all budget and financial matters.

The Principal Analyst develops, implements, and oversees divisional fiscal systems, policies, and procedures to ensure operational efficiency, compliance, and effective stewardship of university resources. This includes internal controls, business process improvement, forecasting, and long-range financial planning. The Principal Analyst advises executive leadership, serves as a liaison to campus offices, leads financial reporting, and contributes to divisional strategic planning. In addition, the role may provide guidance or supervision to other analysts and administrative staff.

The incumbent ensures that financial planning and analysis efforts are aligned with broader organizational objectives to support divisional and institutional priorities.

Budgeted Salary: $100,000-$115,000/annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.

Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week:
  Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes:
  Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

None

Remote

Clerical Employees (CX)

FINANCIAL ANL 4 CX (006347)

Never or Rarely

• Conducts complex analysis to assess past and forecasted financial performance.
• Leads development and maintenance of long-range financial models and business plans.
• Prepares detailed analyses for operating, capital, and auxiliary budgets.
• Performs scenario analysis to support decision-making by senior leadership.
• Serves as divisional expert in fund management and financial policy.
• Prepares, reviews, and/or approves advanced financial transactions across units.
• Communicates departmental financial standing, risk areas, and opportunities for improvement.

• Serves as the lead financial advisor for assigned departments
• Coordinates annual budget planning process across assigned departments.
• Develops revenue and expenditure projections; monitors budgets for compliance and performance.
• Collaborates with departments on financial status updates and reporting.
• Advices unit leaders on financial and operational implications of decisions.
• Prepares and presents detailed financial reports, dashboards, and forecasts.
• Oversees budget implementation and reallocation processes.

• Develops and implements internal control procedures and policies to protect university assets.
• Interprets and ensures compliance with UC, state, and federal financial policies.
• Coordinates interpretation and implementation of division-wide practices such as merit/salary savings calls, gifts, contracts, purchasing, entertainment and travel.
• Advises managers on appropriate use of funds and delegations of authority.
• Reinforces accountability for regular reconciliations and financial reporting within departments and units.
• Leads or contributes to policy development and planning initiatives aligned with division and campus financial strategies.

• Ensures consistent, clear communication of unit-specific financial data to divisional stakeholders.
• Designs and implements automated reporting tools; supports data-informed decision-making.
• Creates and maintains dashboards and advanced Excel-based models.
• Collaborates with IT and central offices to enhance financial systems functionality.
• Provides input on proposed campus and systemwide financial policies.

• Provides fiscal support for major maintenance, capital projects, and space planning.
• Coordinates funding models and debt service forecasting.
• Supports the preparation of capital requests and reporting including equipment/tech calls, minor/major capital grants, and space assignments.

• Tracks permanent budgets for salary provisions, reclassifications, and hiring.
• Serves…