Budget and Fiscal Manager

Overview

The College of Arts & Architecture at Montana State University (MSU) is seeking a Financial Manager to provide strategic leadership in financial planning and budget management. They will serve as the financial expert within the college, advising the Dean on the availability of funding for personnel and operational changes.

Announcement Number: STAFF - VA - 26234

Questions regarding this position:
Noelle Child

Phone:

Email:
noelle.child

Classification

Title:

Financial Mgr

Working Title:

Budget and Fiscal Manager

Brief

Position Overview:

The College of Arts & Architecture at Montana State University (MSU) is seeking a Financial Manager to provide strategic leadership in financial planning and budget management. They will serve as the financial expert within the college, advising the Dean on the availability of funding for personnel and operational changes.

Position Number: 4M1428

Department:
Dean of Arts & Architecture

Division:
College of Arts & Architecture

Appointment Type:
Classified

Contract Term:
Fiscal Year

Union Affiliation:
Open

FTE: 1.0

Benefits Eligible:
Eligible

Salary: $33.07 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications

Contract Type:
Classified

Recruitment Type:
Open

• Provide strategic financial leadership for the college, managing and advising millions in resources from multiple funding sources.
• Forecast, plan, and oversee the development of annual, semester-based, and long-range budgets—including internal budget models, revenue projections, and expenditure plans.
• Work with the college units and BOMs to ensure compliance with the budget plan set forth at the start of the fiscal year and communicate variances for timely action.
• Analyze financial trends and service usage – particularly in fee-based units – to evaluate fiscal impacts and support data-informed decision-making.
• Collaborate with college units and HR partners to ensure alignment between staffing needs and financial resources, including oversight of position budgeting.
• Deliver timely financial reporting and insights to the dean’s office and college units to support operational activities, strategic planning and accountability.
• Serve as a key liaison for the college in central budget activities.
• Ensure compliance with MSU and Board of Regents (BOR) financial policies and procedures while continually improving financial processes.
• Coordinate with MSU Fiscal Shared Services, College HR Business Partner, and departmental business operations managers to trouble-shoot appointment and payroll issues, track budget and expenditures, and enter budget adjustments to reflect changes in payroll and budget allocations throughout the year.
• Provide ongoing training for business operations managers and school directors on budget and fiscal matters.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, finance or a related field, OR an equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience.
• Demonstrated competence and experience in development, analysis, and execution of complex budgets and long-range business/fiscal management plans.
• Demonstrated experience in interpreting, explaining, and presenting detailed budget and fiscal data, both verbally and in writing, to a broad group of constituents.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Suite, specifically Excel formulas and applications.

• Experience working in financial based roles at a higher education institution.
• Demonstrated knowledge in interpreting and applying institutional policies and procedures.
• Ability to initiate, coordinate, oversee and complete various projects on own initiative.
• Strong organizational techniques with the ability to manage multiple tasks and remain flexible.
• Experience leveraging data from an ERP system.

• Exercise sound judgement and initiative in decision-making, while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.
• Lead and collaborate effectively with different teams and stakeholders, demonstrating strong interpersonal and conflict…