Assistant Vice President of Financial Planning & Analysis

Lake Forest College, one of the top liberal arts schools in the Midwest, invites applications for the full-time, exempt position of Assistant Vice President of Financial Planning & Analysis. This position reports directly to the Vice President of Finance / Chief Financial Officer and is in Lake Forest, IL.

The AVP of FP&A is responsible for directing all aspects of the development and implementation of the annual operating annual budget for the College. Participates in the development of the capital budget. Provides continuous support to departmental managers at all levels with accounting and budget issues and effective management of departmental budgets. Reconciles budget and financial data, reviews the preparation and posting of budget journal entries, and completes periodic reports. Develops complex financial and operational models and provides analytical support for resource development and allocation decisions across all program areas (existing and new) of the College.

• Directs the preparation, consolidation, analysis and distribution of the College's annual operating budget from inception to submission to the Board of Trustees
• Analyzes, monitors, and reports on the budgetary performance of the College and recommends adjustments due to changing conditions
• Develops financial models and cost accounting methods to evaluate financial viability of College programs and initiatives
• Develops sensitivity models and analyses for multi-scenario and multi-year budgeting and strategic planning to assist senior leadership in decision-making
• Leads the College process to develop revenue projections for all operations
• Provides information management and administrative support to College executive leadership by compiling financial data, developing financial forecasts and conducting appropriate financial analyses
• Maintains strong customer service relationships with all, including administrators, deans, department heads, and budget managers
• Responsible for coordinating and conducting budget system training program for users at all levels
• Conducts special projects that include project management, data gathering, comprehensive analyses, and recommendations
• Prepares a variety of budget related documents and analyses as needed
• Develops, recommends, and implements improvements and enhancements to the budgetary planning processes, systems, and tools
• Drives continuous productivity improvements across the entire budgeting process

Skill Sets:

• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of organizational budgeting
• Strong understanding of GAAP and fund accounting in higher education
• Demonstrated expertise in organizational theory, management techniques and current management practices of budgeting for a complex organization
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to prepare and deliver presentations to executive audiences
• Technical competence in the use of enterprise resource planning (ERP) and automated financial and management information systems
• Advanced understanding Microsoft Excel
• Proficient in business intelligence tools such as Power BI
• Ability to deal effectively and tactfully with a wide variety of constituents, including all levels of management, faculty, public officials and the general public
• Excellent analytical, logical and reasoning skills
• Ability to work independently and take initiative
• Ability to effectively manage time constraints and deadlines
• Accurate and effective budget management

Minimum Experience Required:

At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in analyses and evaluation of budget preparation and management and administrative operations. Experience in higher education preferred.

Education Requirements:

Bachelor degree in business or related field required. MBA, CMA or CPA strongly preferred.

Compensation and Benefits:

Starting range is dependent upon individual qualifications and experience but expected to be in the range of $130,000 to $160,000.