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About the Role

The Director of Academic Finance & Strategic Planning is the primary financial lead for the University's decentralized Colleges and Enterprise units, responsible for strengthening the analytical depth and consistency of unit-level budgeting practices. This role defines and implements methodologies and internal controls for budgeting, oversees Sources & Uses reporting, and leads a team of analysts while driving process standardization and data integrity for the Workday Adaptive Planning implementation.

Responsibilities

Define and implement methodologies and internal controls for budgeting across decentralized units.
Assess current unit-level budgeting practices and establish consistent methodology across Ithaca and Cornell Tech campuses.
Oversee Sources & Uses reporting for both Operating and Capital portfolios.
Serve as the final reviewer and approver of unit-level financial submissions.
Proactively challenge unit-level assumptions and ensure accuracy and operational soundness of financial narratives.
Lead and develop a team of analysts.
Drive process standardization and data integrity for day-to-day financial clarity and Workday Adaptive Planning implementation.
Model and support a culture of inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in financial management, budgeting, and resource planning.
Experience in higher education or a similarly complex, decentralized organization is preferred.
Demonstrated experience assessing and standardizing financial processes across decentralized units.
Proven track record of preparing and presenting complex financial information, including Sources & Uses reporting, to senior leadership.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to scrutinize financial assumptions.
Experience identifying and resolving cross-subsidization and aligning revenue and expenses is highly desired.
Experience working directly with academic units, College Business Officers, or comparable decentralized stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to navigate organizational complexity and resolve data discrepancies.
Demonstrated experience leading and managing staff.
Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences.

Skills

Financial management
Budgeting
Resource planning
Financial process standardization
Internal controls
Sources & Uses reporting
Financial analysis
Data analysis
Staff leadership and management
Cross-cultural understanding

Location

Ithaca, New York

Work Type

Hybrid
Remote (portion)

Experience Level

7-10 years

Education Level

Bachelor's degree
Master's degree (preferred)
CPA licensure (preferred)

Salary/Compensations

$143,454.00 - $175,332.00

Benefits

Educational benefits
Wellness programs
Employee discounts
Health care
Generous paid leave provisions
3 weeks of vacation
14 university paid holidays (including end of year winter break through New Year’s Day)
Superior employer retirement contributions

About the Company

Cornell University is a bold, innovative, inclusive, and dynamic teaching and research university located in Ithaca, N.Y. It is one of the largest and most diverse institutions in the Ivy League, with a community of 22,000 students and more than 10,000 faculty and staff representing over 80 countries.
The Division of Budget and Planning supports Cornell University’s academic mission and long‑term sustainability through institutional budgeting, financial and strategic planning, resource allocation, and analysis.
The University Budget Office works closely with colleges and administrative units to develop, implement, and report on the Ithaca campus operating plan, serving as a steward of institutional resources.

Equal Opportunity

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or be subjected to prohibited discrimination.
Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds.
We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.
Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities.
We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.