Director of Financial Planning and Analysis

Job Type:

Staff

Job Description:

The Director of Financial Planning and Analysis serves as a strategic leader overseeing the University’s financial planning, forecasting, reporting, and analytical functions. This role drives continuous improvement of the budget and forecasting processes, strengthens data‑driven decision support for leadership, and partners closely with academic and administrative leaders to develop pro‑formas that guide new initiatives and program evolution. The position also leads the development and delivery of enhanced financial reporting to provide clear, actionable insights that support informed, strategic decision‑making across the institution.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the FP&A department, including direct supervision of staff and oversight of strategic goals and departmental governance
• Maintain, update, and enhance the University’s monthly, annual, and long-term financial forecast models
• Lead continuous improvement efforts for the annual budget process, including timeline optimization, system enhancements, and improved forecasting methodologies
• Partner with departments across the University to develop accurate, strategically aligned budgets and provide ongoing budget support throughout the fiscal year
• Maintain and improve the University’s cash forecasting model to support liquidity planning and long-term financial sustainability
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership, academic deans, and administrative units to develop pro formas and evaluate financial viability, ROI, and long-term impact of proposed initiatives
• Conduct scenario modeling and what if analyses to support strategic decision making
• Lead the production, enhancement, and automation of monthly and annual Key Performance Indicator (KPI) reporting
• Deliver monthly CFO reporting packages and develop new Provost and Dean reporting packages, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and actionable insights
• Identify financial and operational trends, risks, and opportunities through data analysis and communicate findings in a clear, compelling manner
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with the Accounting team to ensure alignment between financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting
• Work closely with departments across the University to understand operational drivers and incorporate them into financial models
• Serve as a subject matter expert for Adaptive Planning and support the development of reporting and analytics within Workday
• Seek opportunities to improve efficiency, enhance reporting capabilities, and streamline financial processes

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field; advanced degree or certification (MBA, CPA, CMA) preferred
• 7+ years of progressive experience in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, or financial analysis (higher education experience preferred), with experience leading and managing a team
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and communicate insights effectively
• High proficiency in Excel and financial modeling; experience with Workday Financials and Adaptive Planning strongly preferred
• Experience with analytical tools such as Tableau or Alteryx is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across departments and build strong working relationships
• Strong commitment to integrity, ethics, confidentiality, and accuracy.
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and a commitment to continuous improvement

Physical Requirements

• Physical dexterity sufficient to use hands, arms, and shoulders repetitively to operate a keyboard and other office equipment, use a telephone, access file cabinets and other items stored at various levels, including overhead
• Ability to speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably with sufficient volume to ensure an accurate exchange of information in normal conversational distance, over the telephone, and in a group setting
• Ability to continuously operate a personal computer for extended periods of time (4 or more hours)
• Mental acuity sufficient to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgments and decisions

Equal Opportunity Employer

KCU is committed to promoting an equal employment opportunity workplace. Equal opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information (GINA), physical or mental disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, ancestry, military and/or veteran status, and/or any other status protected by applicable Federal, state or local law.

Annual Security Report

KCU is committed to providing a safe campus for students, faculty, and staff. Our annual campus security report lists campus crimes and statistics for the campus and public areas around campus for the last three years, in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.

Thank you for your interest in a career at KCU!