Assistant Director, Budget and Financial Planning

Job Description:

Berklee is the preeminent institute of contemporary music and the performing arts, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs at its campuses in Boston, MA, New York, NY, Valencia, Spain, and through its award-winning distance learning program, Berklee Online. At Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee, students explore interdisciplinary approaches to music, dance, theater, film, business, healthcare, education, technology, and more. Dedicated to nurturing the creative and career potential of the world’s most inspired artists, Berklee’s commitment to arts education is reflected in the work of its students, faculty, and alumni—hundreds of whom have been recognized with Grammy, Tony, Oscar, and Emmy awards.
Under the direct supervision of the Associate Director for Budget and Financial Planning (“ Director”) and working closely with the Senior Director for Budget and Financial Planning (Sr. Director), the Assistant Director for Budget and Financial Planning (“Assistant Director”) serves as an integral member of the Budget Department in the development, interpretation, and analysis of Berklee’s operating and capital budgets.

The Assistant Director works with the Sr. Director and Associate Director in maintaining the College’s annual budget, monthly forecasts, long term financial models, and any decision support or other special projects as needed to inform the Vice President for Finance, Chief Financial Officer and senior leadership in decision making and ensuring prudent stewardship of the college’s resources.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

Annual Budget – Working closely with the Associate Director and Senior Director to direct the coordination and development of the annual budget - preparation, submission, compilation, and review of information from budget managers across the college.  Partner closely with key budget owners and stakeholders to ensure smooth, value-added processes. Work with Senior Director and Associate Director in developing consolidated budgets and analysis to inform and support decision making aligned with strategic objectives. 

Reporting, Forecasting & Analysis – Conduct ongoing review, analysis and development of annual and multi-year compensation, employee benefits, student employment and federal work study expense forecasts.  Monitor performance against budget objectives, analyzing variances, forecasting anticipated results, and recommending corrective actions as needed.  Collaborate with the Accounting team to ensure close communication on results and variance analysis.  Ensure accuracy, automation and timeliness of financial and managerial reports.  Prepare reconcile, and analyze divisional and departmental financial performance to inform senior leadership, area leadership and departmental budget managers.

Position Control  – Working closely with Associate Director oversee position control files, establishing and monitoring staff and faculty budgets and analysis of personnel expense forecasting; partner with Human Resources to support job requisition workflow and related budget checking.  Liaise with Academic Affairs regarding the same for faculty personnel budgets. Working closely with Student Affairs to develop and monitor student employment and federal work study budget.  Monitor Vacancy analysis, provide periodic reporting to the leadership. 

Financial Decision Support – Support operational and strategic objectives through financial modeling, ratio analysis, and any other financial analysis required.  Summarize analysis including presentation development for leadership.  Support the long-term financial forecast process as well as preparation and oversight of the capital budget.  In the spirit of continuous improvement, work with the Senior Director and relevant colleagues to evaluate policies, procedures and methodologies to ensure best practices are employed.

Knowledge and Skills Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree required.  Relevant advanced degree, or equivalent professional experience, in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration is highly desirable.  Minimum of 5 years related professional experience, with a strong working knowledge of accounting and financial principles and the ability to develop, analyze and communicate financial information at an institution of higher education. 

• High proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, and a demonstrated ability to employ multiple systems in the tracking, modeling and analysis of financial information.  Workday and Adaptive Insights experience are a plus.  Facility and comfort with forecasting anticipated outcomes based on limited data and evolving assumptions. 

• Ability to exercise considerable judgment, discretion, and diplomacy.  Ability to handle sensitive data with discretion, employ creative problem solving, and identify and deploy process improvements.    

• Collaborative working style and the ability to develop and maintain strong relationships across a variety of functional areas with colleagues of all levels.  Demonstrated capacity to develop and foster effective working relationships with individuals reflecting a broad range of identities, perspectives, and experiences.

• Process improvement focus and ability to leverage technology to drive automation and enhancements.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, presentation skills, and the presence to interact with senior leadership.

• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to multi-task and work under pressure; self-motivation, high energy and engagement and a positive attitude.        

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at Berklee: 

We support an inclusive workplace where everyone excels based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance.  Berklee affirms that inequality is detrimental to our faculty, staff, students, and the communities we serve. Our goal is to make lasting change through our actions. Berklee is committed to providing fair and equitable consideration of all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, place of birth, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, or status as a member of the armed forces or veteran of the armed forces, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

As part of this commitment, Berklee will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Human Resources Team at [email protected] or call 617-747-2375.

Berklee is committed to increasing the diversity of our institution, community, and the curriculum. Candidates who can contribute to that goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths in this area.

*Currently enrolled Berklee students are not permitted to apply for staff or faculty positions.*

Employee Type:Staff