Careers

Director of Finance and Budget: Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

The Director of Finance and Budget: Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy

Who we are:

Cornell University is a remarkable community of scholars, educators, students, staff, and alumni who are deeply influenced by proud traditions and a set of cherished founding principles. Unique among its Ivy League peers, Cornell is a private university with a land-grant mission. The Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy harnesses the University's broad disciplinary excellence in public policy, along with its innovative teaching, research, and engagement programs, to solve pressing global challenges. The school's prestigious faculty apply an interdisciplinary and problem-oriented focus to wide-ranging public policy issues as they explore how government choices intersect with people's lives. The school's initial areas of focus are in data science and technology policy; environmental and sustainability policy; health policy; global security; inequality and social policy; the politics and economics of development; and race, racism, and public policy.

Position Summary:

This position, reporting to the Associate Dean for Administration and Finance, has primary responsibility for the management, oversight, and stewardship of the Brooks School's restricted and unrestricted financial portfolio. This includes the development and administration of the annual trustee, operational, and capital budget and accompanying quarterly reviews and analysis; development and analysis of multi-year, multi-variable revenue forecasting; assuming leadership for the development and implementation of operational controls that support audit-approved best practices; and providing leadership at the school level in the interpretation and consistent application of School and University policies and practices. The Director will manage two financial specialists and collaborate closely with the Brooks administrative team. This position serves as a key consultant and to the Brooks Senior Leadership Team, and Directors of programs, centers, and initiatives across the Brooks School and staff on all financial matters by encouraging the effective creation and utilization of resources in a manner that consistently furthers the mission.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and administer the year-round budget process for the Brooks School. Provide comprehensive financial management and administrative oversight in the budget process, including tuition income forecasting, indirect cost recovery forecasting, gift planning, and other sources of revenue, including from executive degree and non-degree programming.
• Conduct ongoing meetings regarding budget and related issues, create financial database queries, develop in-year and year-end reports, and explain budget variances to the Associate Dean, other Brooks Deans and Directors, the University Budget Office, Division of Financial Affairs, etc. Reviewing current year budget status and analyzing its impact on next year's budget planning.
• Develop financial analysis systems to support short-, medium-, and long-range planning for the School. These systems will support Deans and Directors in making programmatic, financial, staffing, and facilities decision-making, planning, and problem-solving.
• Provide training and guidance to Directors and staff in the use of financial reporting tools.
• Oversee School access to the general ledger and budget system both to internal systems and University systems.
• Act as an advocate for the Brooks School by influencing policy, procedures, and decision-making processes at the University.
• Delegate projects to appropriate staff; provide instruction on how to develop special projects and/or reports, critiquing results, coaching, and providing encouragement or corrective guidance, as needed.

This role requires the following:

• Bachelor's degree and 7 to 10 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience in a broad range of financial operations, preferably in a higher education setting.
• Previous experience in budgeting, analysis, report development, writing variances, and working with upper-level management (Deans, Directors)
• Ability to exercise good judgment and make decisions from a range of choices, expected to make policy for financial operations impacting an entire unit.
• Ability to work with and maintain the security of private and confidential information.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within teams and across constituent groups.

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field.
• Experience with Cornell policies and procedures in accounting and finance
• Experience with a wide range of funding sources, including restricted gifts, sponsored funds, and endowments.
• Highly developed accounting and analytical skills, including demonstrated experience utilizing advanced spreadsheets and data sources, and building financial models.
• Ability to independently plan and prioritize responsibilities and work of a team to meet competing deadlines while under pressure.
• Proven track record of hiring, training, developing, and mentoring productive and engaged staff in the finance function.
• Superior relationship-building skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, confidently, and concisely orally and in writing.

What we offer:

Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, well-being, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position This position is located in Ithaca, New York. The successful applicant could work a hybrid schedule but would be expected to work on campus as business needs require. The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholdings for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside New York State.

University Job Title:

Job Family:

Level:

Pay Rate Type:

Pay Range:

Remote Option Availability:

Company:

Contact Name:

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

Union Positions

Current Employees:

Online Submission Guidelines:

Employment Assistance:

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also visit the office of Workforce Recruitment and Retention Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. to use a dedicated workstation to complete an online application.

Notice to Applicants:

EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose, and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.