AVP of Strategic Resource Allocation, Budget & Fiscal Planning at Ramapo College of New Jersey – Mahwah, New Jersey

ABOUT RAMAPO COLLEGE:

Ramapo College of New Jersey (RCNJ) develops ethical leaders who serve as change agents across all sectors. The College’s unique interdisciplinary academic structure, its liberal arts core, its size (approximately 5,500 students), and its setting in the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains on the New Jersey/New York border provide an optimal environment for individualized, student-centered learning and leadership development. RCNJ’s designation as “New Jersey’s Public Liberal Arts College” by the State legislature is the foundation from which the College’s commitment to an accessible and transformative undergraduate and graduate education is realized.

Established in 1969, CondeNast Traveler named Ramapo one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America. The barrier-free campus occupies 300 acres and is home to 52 bachelor’s degree programs spanning the arts, business, data science, humanities, education, nursing, social work, social sciences, and the sciences. Ramapo College boasts an average student/faculty ratio of 16:1 and an average class size of 21; affording students the opportunity to develop close ties to the College’s exceptional faculty. In addition, the College offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work, and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Every degree program is designed and delivered through the collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts of student-centered faculty scholars and staff who are committed to serving the public good through the delivery of an academically rigorous, inclusive, and a transformative collegiate experience. Ramapo is ranked #1 among New Jersey public institutions by College Choice and is recognized as the State’s top college on the list of Best Disability Schools by Great Value Colleges. Further commendations include designation as a “Military Friendly College” in Victory Media’s Guide to Military Friendly Schools, and as a leading college by U.S. News & World Report, Kiplinger’s, Princeton Review, and Money Magazine, among others.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time, managerial position, and days of work and hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm. Note: This position is in the “NL” category of employment (non-fixed work week) and individuals in this role have no claim or entitlement to time off or cash compensation for hours worked beyond their normal schedule. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Compensatory time will not be granted for work done as an extension of the regular work day. It is the policy of the College to grant hour for hour compensatory time off, with advance approval, only when employees are required to work on a holiday. Time earned must be used within one fiscal year from the time it is earned.

Salary Range
AVP, D33
$165,000-$182,000

US work authorization is required. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US. Ramapo College currently has a no-sponsorship policy.

JOB SUMMARY

The AVP of Strategic Resource Allocation, Budget & Fiscal Planning effectively leads the Budget Office to provide comprehensive long-term financial and resource planning in support of the College’s mission, goals and objectives. Reporting directly to the CFO/Vice President for Fiscal Health, AVP of Strategic Resource Allocation, Budget & Fiscal Planning leads the development process of the operating and capital budgets; oversees quarterly reporting to the Board of Trustees and other reporting and analysis related to financial performance; coordinates budget policy and ensures adherence to internal and external policies & procedures; promotes a culture that coaches non-financial faculty and staff to understand the budgetary process and provide guidance on fiscal planning; serves on college-wide committees and leads a team of finance professionals.

This position provides strategic leadership in advancing a best-in-class financial planning model which provides data to senior leadership to help guide and influence strategic decision making. The

AVP of Strategic Resource Allocation, Budget & Fiscal Planning ensures all State and Federal regulations meet internal and external reporting requirements and is a strategic partner with various campus leaders, providing outreach and support to the Provost, Vice Presidents, Deans, and Unit Directors on complex fiscal planning matters.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Planning

Supports strategic planning initiatives by providing financial insights that inform decision making and long-term planning to the College’s executive leadership and advocates for the adoption of innovative budgeting techniques. Partners with peers across the Cores to assess the financial viability of new academic and revenue generating programs by developing multi-year budget models to determine the financial viability of recommendations proposed by executive leadership to support alternative revenue sources. Develops annual goals for the unit in support of the college’s strategic plan.

Budget Development & Oversight

Directs the annual budget and planning process leading to development and implementation of the College's $197M operating budget and the $58M capital budget in support of the College’s strategic and facilities plans. Provide suggestions for allocation of funds and reductions in order to balance the budget on an annual basis. Identifies opportunities to improve efficiency and effect cost reductions throughout the year.

Collaborates with the VP of Operations & Integration to set an annual budget for capital projects and deferred maintenance based on current priorities and the long-term facilities master plan. Oversight of the capital budgeting process requiring monthly reconciliation of journal entries and expenditures to ensure expenses do not exceed budget.

Oversight of the Capital Needs Reserve to ensure the balance remains at no less than 5% of total depreciable assets as reported on the annual audited financial statements. Oversight of all operating reserves, including the incentive balance, to ensure the College maintains funds for unanticipated expenses.

Monitors expenses and budget availability throughout the year to ensure units remain within budget and to identify possible reallocation of funds based on strategic priorities. Reviews and approves all budget transfers/journal entries.

Works directly with all self-funded programs/units to develop new fiscal year budgets, monitor spending and ensure programs remain viable. Collaborates with Deans and Graduate Program Directors to develop, implement and monitor operating budgets and detailed salary budgets for all schools & master’s programs.

Works with the Assistant Provost on all financial/budget related matters of the Teaching & Learning Core, ensuring units follow budget policies/procedures and expenses do not exceed budgets.

Financial Reporting & Analysis

Oversees and coordinates preparation of the monthly operating financial statements and executive summaries, year-end forecast vs budget analysis, annual budget presentation, annual tuition & fee increases, including course and lab fee increases to be presented to the Resources Committee and Board of Trustees by the CFO.

Develops the College's annual submission to the NJ Office of Management & Budget to secure funding from the State of New Jersey. Collaborates with the Office of the President and VP of Government Relations to determine and present funding priorities. Conducts complex financial resource research to develop and write persuasive requests to the State for additional funding and supply analytical data to support the request.

Conducts in-depth analysis of the $8M adjunct budget. Monitors expenditures and evaluates spending patterns and overall program performance of graduate programs and self-funded programs to ensure each program is meeting its goal.

Oversees analysis and forecast of position control, waivers & scholarships, debt service, food services, tuition discount rate, incentive budget, development of the annual open forum presentation, annual budget book and dashboards, charts, graphs, spreadsheets, and narratives as necessary.

Develops and summarizes financial and statistical data for external reporting to NJASCU, the NJ Office of Legislative Services and other agencies as required.

Policy & Procedure Development & Adherence

Develops and maintains budget policies and procedures to ensure consistency, accuracy and compliance with state regulations and college guidelines. Review of all Budget Change and Incentive requests to determine their validity and ensure they meet program requirements prior to release of funds.

Collaboration, Communication & Training

Work collaboratively with a wide range of leaders from across the College, including Vice Presidents, Deans, Master’s Degree Program Directors and Unit Directors to assist them with budget management and help them meet their mission and goals, and provide briefings and updates to the CFO and senior leaders as needed. Promotes a culture that coaches and partners across the College to understand and respect the budgetary process.

Consults with and provides support and training to Unit Directors, Deans and Vice Presidents to assist them with budget management, helping them to meet their mission and goals.

Serves as primary contact for budget related matters with NJOMB, NJASCU, OSHE, the NJ Office of Legislative Services, and other agencies as required. Works directly with VP of Government Relations to review new legislation affecting NJ higher education and assess the financial impact of proposed legislation.

Serves on Cabinet of Agents, Strategic Enrollment Committee, Graduate Council, NJ State Business Officers and other ad hoc committees as required.

Develops the budget planning calendar, creates and distributes memos to unit heads of the annual budget process and new fiscal year funding, provides budget training to end users on the budget process and interpretation of their departmental budgets. Provides general budget training sessions for managers on a semi-annual basis.

Works with the Foundation to ensure its operational support payments to the College meet the needs stipulated in the strategic plan.

Systems Implementation & Oversight

Develops and implements technology and other solutions and critical timelines that support the College's strategic plan, multi-year financial plan, annual budget, monthly forecasts, and related ongoing financial analyses.

Oversees administration of Adaptive Planning, the college’s budget and planning software, including budget development, scenario planning, financial models, reporting, and system security. Ensures that Ellucian Banner and Adaptive are in sync on a daily basis.

Oversees effective collaboration with ITS staff in the implementation and maintenance of budget related systems & processes.

Supervision

Manages a talented team of financial professionals and provides direction, oversight, guidance, development, goal setting, project prioritization, and performance management for the areas of financial systems, data analysis and position control. Direct supervision of the Associate Director, Financial Data & Systems Analyst, and the Budget Analyst Interns.

Ensures that unit operates in a manner consistent with College policies and procedures, and that services provided by the team meet the needs of the College.

Safeguards the confidentiality of departmental or office administration by exercising discretion in communicating information to faculty, students and staff, and handling departmental records and files, personnel actions, merit, promotion and tenure decisions, and similar confidential materials.

Uses various office systems and software, including Banner Finance and HR, Adaptive Insights Suite, Argos reporting tools and all Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Other duties as assigned and as needed.

REQUIREMENTS/EDUCATION

Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field. Master’s degree preferred with a minimum of (7-10) years progressive professional experience in managing a department, financial/cost modeling and budgeting, preferably in an institution of higher education. Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute the experience.

EXPERIENCE

Must have excellent analytical skills and ability to organize assigned work. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to communicate financial information clearly and succinctly. Ability to work independently/self-starter.

Experience in implementation and upgrading financial system(s) and advanced knowledge of Ellucian Banner and Adaptive insights preferred.

Advanced knowledge of Excel, Access, PowerPoint and other Microsoft Office applications. Must include the ability to extract data from financial systems, write complex queries, and create meaningful reports. Knowledge of Argos helpful.

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

This position requires excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, understanding of complex Finance systems and the ability to build and maintain multiple databases. Ability to work effectively in a team environment and with all levels of the organization is required. Demonstrated ability to research and generate solutions. Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multitask operations/projects, balance diverse tasks, work on multiple projects simultaneously, and deal with confidential and sensitive matters in a professional manner. Will be required to provide advice and assistance in budgetary and procedural matters to division and unit heads.

EEO Statement:

Ramapo College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Ramapo has a long history of advocating, advising, and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. Examples can be found in its mission statement, strategic plans, degree and course offerings, community outreach programs, and other diversity programs. Ramapo’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is infused across all facets of the College; where the environment is welcoming, dedicated to social justice, respectful of freedom of expression, focused on educating and having an ongoing conversation regarding cultural competence and the benefits and importance of diversity.