Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis

A Day in the Life:

Financial Analysis & Projections:

• Provide critical interpretation and contribute to the maintenance of multi-year financial models and forecasts for state financial aid programs, including the Frank O’Bannon Grant, 21st Century Scholars, and other Commission-administered financial aid programs.
• Develop and maintain financial projection models for university funding allocations, including performance-based funding formulas, base appropriations, capital investment, program expenses, and other special legislative initiatives.
• Analyze budget variances, enrollment trends, and policy changes to assess their financial impact on state aid expenditures and university funding; prepare concise summaries and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Monitor appropriations balances and expenditure trends throughout the fiscal year, providing timely updates to leadership and flagging potential shortfalls or surpluses.
• Support program expansion and approvals processes by evaluating financial solvency to inform final determinations.
• Prepare financial analyses and fiscal notes in support of proposed legislation, administrative rules, and policy changes affecting higher education funding.
• Support the preparation of the Commission’s annual budget requests to the State Budget Agency and the Governor’s Office, including documentation of assumptions, historical trends, and programmatic justifications.

Data Analytics & Business Intelligence Collaboration:

• Partner closely with the Business Intelligence (BI) team to align financial data structures with BI reporting frameworks, ensuring consistency and accuracy across financial and operational datasets.
• Contribute to the design and development of financial dashboards, reports, and data visualizations that support executive decision-making and external reporting.
• Leverage data analytics tools and techniques to identify trends, anomalies, and opportunities in financial and enrollment data.
• Assist in the documentation and maintenance of data dictionaries, financial data definitions, and reporting specifications to support data governance efforts.

Stakeholder Communication & Leadership:

• Present financial findings, projections, and policy recommendations to Commission leadership, Commission board members, legislators, and other stakeholders in a clear and accessible manner.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on financial aid program finances and university funding, responding to inquiries from internal teams, the General Assembly, and the public.
• Cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with State Budget Agency staff, Office of Management and Budget, and higher education institution finance officers.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to staff members within the Finance team, supporting professional development and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.
 

What You'll Need for Success:

The successful candidate will have:

• Three (3) to five (5) years of full-time professional experience.
• Thorough knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) principles and their application in higher education or public sector financial reporting.
• Demonstrated experience with financial modeling, forecasting, and long-range financial planning in a higher education, government, or public finance environment.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including complex financial models, pivot tables, Power Query, and macro development.
• Familiarity with higher education financial structures, including institutional funding models, financial aid program administration, and state appropriations processes.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, including the ability to synthesize large datasets, isolate key drivers of financial trends, and communicate findings to non-technical audiences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to prepare clear, well-organized financial reports and present to senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships across teams and with external partners.

Preferred Qualifications:

The following qualifications are not required but will strengthen a candidate’s application:

• Experience with R or Python for data analysis, statistical modeling, or reporting automation.
• Experience working with business intelligence platforms such as Tableau, Power BI, or similar tools.
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), or other relevant professional certification.
• Experience in a state government financial role or with Indiana’s state budgeting and appropriations processes.
• Experience working with financial aid management systems or higher education student information systems.
• Knowledge of Indiana higher education policy, funding formulas, and the Commission’s strategic priorities.
• Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
   

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports: