Lead Budget Analyst

The Lead Budget Analyst serves as a senior financial and research administration professional within the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Computing, providing strategic leadership in budget planning, fiscal management, and research administration across multiple funding sources, including E&G, Auxiliary, Foundation, Research Foundation, and other restricted funds. The position oversees college-wide financial operations to ensure accuracy, transparency, and compliance with university and state regulations, while managing faculty startup commitments, performing financial analyses, preparing projections and reports, reconciling accounts, and supporting data‑driven decision‑making for college leadership.

Working collaboratively with the Dean, Associate Dean of Research, Director of Operations, and Assistant Director of Finance, the Lead Budget Analyst advises on budgetary, facilities, and staffing matters and conducts strategic analyses to guide both short‑ and long‑term planning.

The role also provides training and mentorship to fiscal and research administration staff, develops standardized procedures, strengthens internal controls, leads process improvements, and ensures alignment of fiscal operations with the College's mission and institutional goals. This position requires three to five years of progressive higher education experience; demonstrated leadership, project management, and supervisory skills; and proven expertise in managing diverse funding portfolios, including E&G funds, grants and contracts, auxiliaries, core facilities, and foundation budgets.

• Manage diverse funding sources, including E&G, Carry‑Forward, Auxiliary, Core Facility, Centers and Institutes, Faculty Startup, College Research Initiative Accounts (RIA), USF Research Foundation, and USF Foundation funds; oversee faculty startup commitments and maintain a college‑wide startup tracking system; serve as liaison to ensure accuracy of faculty commitment transactions and compliance with university and college policies; post and reconcile transfers in Axiom/BBS and process budget adjustments;
  
  prepare financial reports and analyses for senior college leadership; oversee operating budgets for the college and its core facilities; train and support unit finance staff.

• Advise the Assistant Director of Finance on financial, budgetary, facilities, and staffing matters; conduct SWOT analyses, risk assessments, and benchmarking studies; provide extensive analysis of resources, revenue projections, and expenditure forecasts for strategic planning.

• Provide strategic leadership and coordination across the college's research administration functions; lead and support personnel development and recruitment; design, develop, and maintain training and onboarding programs; create tools, templates, and best practice guides; provide mentorship, coaching, and professional development for finance and research teams.

• Lead financial operational support to instructional and administrative staff through training and initiatives; evaluate and implement enhanced business practices, procedures, and internal controls; conduct periodic control audits; ensure alignment of fiscal policies with federal, state, and local regulations and SUS policies; promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Bachelor's degree and a minimum of four (4) years of related experience; comprehensive knowledge of the field's policies, procedures, and practices.

Three to five years of progressive higher education experience; demonstrated leadership, project management, and supervisory skills; advanced proficiency in budget development, financial analysis, forecasting, and strategic fiscal planning; comprehensive understanding of statutes, regulations, and institutional policies governing research administration; exceptional written and verbal communication; strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.

$80,000 - $87,000

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.