Finance Budget Director - Business Office
POSITION DETAILS
Founded in 1971 in Long Island City, Queens , LaGuardia Community College is one of seven community colleges of the City University of New York (CUNY). LaGuardia offers more than sixty associate degree programs and more than fifty workforce training, ESOL, GED, and pre-college programs. In 2023, LaGuardia served approximately 24,000 students. More than one-third of LaGuardia's degree-seeking students are born outside the United States; they come from 136 countries and speak 43 heritage languages. Sixty percent are first-generation college students.
Virtually all LaGuardia students are ethnic minorities (89 percent), 58 percent are women, 27 percent are over the age of 25. Forty-six percent of associate degree students are Hispanic. Upon graduation most students transfer to four-year colleges, typically in CUNY, to complete their baccalaureate degrees. Graduates of career programs such as Nursing, Computer Technology, and Veterinary Technology enter the workforce. LaGuardia ranked fifth among U.S. community colleges in economic mobility - moving low-income students into the middle class and beyond - in studies by Stanford University (2017) and the Brookings Institution (2020).Please visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.
Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Finance & Business, the Budget Director directs the day-to-day operations of the Budget Office and supervises five full-time staff members. Leads the development, administration, and monitoring of the College's annual operating budget; prepares financial analyses, forecasts, and projections; and supports executive decision-making through accurate and timely financial reporting.
Direct Budget Office staff to ensure adherence to established financial plans, perform periodic budget reviews, variance analyses, and monitor expenditures to ensure compliance with budgetary guidelines;
Lead the development, administration, and monitoring of the College's annual operating budget, including budget allocations, adjustments, and financial planning assumptions throughout the fiscal year;
Oversee the monitoring and maintenance of personnel transactions for annual budget development, salary forecasting, vacancy management, position tracking, and related personnel budget activities;
Prepare financial forecasts, multi-year projections, scenario analyses, and variance reports to support annual budget development, institutional planning, resource allocation, and executive decision-making;
Develop and maintain financial models, forecasting tools, and budget reporting templates to support institutional planning and financial decision-making;
Compile financial information from multiple funding sources and prepare the College's All Funds budget, financial reports, and financial analyses;
Oversee the preparation and timely distribution of accurate monthly financial statements, budget reports, executive financial analyses, and recurring financial reports for executive leadership and external reporting requirements;
Ensure that Tax Levy accounting and financial reporting activities are monitored, maintained, reconciled, and accurately reflected across multiple internal and external financial systems;
Ensure budget-related financial data is complete, accurate, and consistent to support compliance with institutional policies, reporting requirements, and audit activities;
Collaborate with Accounting, Purchasing, Accounts Payable, Bursar, Human Resources, and other administrative offices to ensure accurate financial reporting, budget execution, and effective coordination of financial activities;
Work closely with the Directors of Purchasing and Accounts Payable to ensure the accurate coding, encumbrance, liquidation, and financial reporting of non-personnel expenditures;
Conduct regular meetings with division and department leaders to review budget performance, discuss financial issues, monitor expenditures, and assist with financial planning and projections;
Serve as the primary liaison between the College and CUNY Central, responding to inquiries from the University Budget Office (UBO), Office of the University Controller (OUC), and other University offices on budgetary and financial matters;
Oversee the administration, testing, training, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of enterprise budgeting and financial planning systems in support of the College's financial operations;
Recommend and implement improvements to budgeting processes, financial reporting procedures, and related business practices to improve efficiency, consistency, and effectiveness;
Supervise, mentor, and evaluate Budget Office staff by establishing priorities, monitoring workload, promoting accountability, and supporting professional development;
Perform related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree and eight years' related experience required.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Public Administration, or a closely related field. Master's degree preferred.
Demonstrated experience in budget development, financial planning, forecasting, financial modeling, variance analysis, and financial reporting, preferably within higher education or the public sector.
Supervisory experience with the ability to lead, mentor, and develop professional staff while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
Excellent analytical, organizational, problem-solving, written, verbal, and presentation skills, with demonstrated ability to communicate complex financial information to administrators, department leaders, and non-financial audiences.
Experience developing financial models, forecasts, and budget projections to support operational and financial decision-making.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including financial modeling and data analysis, and experience with enterprise budgeting and financial management systems (e.g., Workday, CUNYfirst, PeopleSoft, Banner, Oracle, or similar ERP platforms).
Experience participating in ERP implementations, system conversions, testing, or financial system implementations preferred.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with department administrators, cross-functional teams, and institutional stakeholders in a customer-focused environment.
Ability to manage multiple projects, establish priorities, and meet competing deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
Knowledge of CUNY policies and procedures or experience working within a higher education or governmental environment preferred.
CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW
Directs the budgeting function of a College or major program as well as related accounting operations.
Formulates, prepares and oversees financial plans and budgeting processes
Manages all financial reporting and compliance activities, including preparation of financial statements, statistical reports, and funding determinations
Liaisons with internal and external financial auditors as well as various College, University and governmental representatives
Oversees analytical reporting and provides strategic financial guidance to support decisions regarding resource allocations and operational planning
Manages professional staff responsible for budget projections, allocations and transactions
Performs related duties as assigned.
Job Title Name: Finance Budget Director
CUNY TITLE
Higher Education Officer
FLSA
Exempt
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
$122,201 - $141,643
Salary commensurate with education and experience.
CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.
HOW TO APPLY
Visit www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID or Title. Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information.
Candidates must attach a resume, cover letter, and three professional references (name, title, organization, and contact information).
CLOSING DATE
Open until filled. Resume review will begin after September 10th, 2026.
JOB SEARCH CATEGORY
CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.
Job ID: 32590
Location: LaGuardia Community College
Job Type: Full-Time
