Location: Bowling Green, KY Category: Staff Job Type: Full-time Posted On: Mon Aug 24 2026 Job Description:
Position Summary:
The Director, Budget and Finance - Housing and Residence Life is responsible for managing the financial operations of a comprehensive housing program consisting of 14 residence halls and 3 apartment complexes with a capacity of approximately 4,700 students. The position oversees all financial operations of Housing and Residence Life, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, financial reporting, and compliance requirements.
Western Kentucky University recently entered a public-private partnership (P3) with Gilbane Development Company and Inwood Management to improve the university's residential portfolio. The Director has a dual reporting line to the university's AVP for Budget, Finance and Analytics and AVP of Student Engagement and Executive Director of Housing and Residence Life, with responsibilities evolving to support the partnership.
Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities:
Financial Management
Oversee month-end and year-end close, including financial statement preparation and account reconciliations.
Ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records, including the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, fixed assets, and related financial systems.
Coordinate with external partners, auditors, and other financial service providers to ensure compliance with all financial reporting and regulatory requirements, including annual audits and other reporting requirements.
Oversee financial obligations associated with master-leased properties, including the review, processing, and payment of expenses such as insurance premiums, utilities, and other property-related costs.
Manage the Aramark Dining accounts in collaboration with the AVP for Student Engagement and the Resident District Manager.
Assist the university's tax compliance accountant with the annual negotiation of property and liability insurance.
Develop and implement financial policies and procedures that align with the organization's values and strategic goals..
Budgeting and Forecasting
Lead the annual Housing and Residence Life budgeting process, collaborating closely with the AVP for Student Engagement and the Housing Leadership Team to develop realistic and achievable budgets.
Monitor budget-to-actual performance and regularly communicate financial results, forecasts, risks, and opportunities to the AVP for Budget, Finance and Analytics, AVP for Student Engagement, Housing and Residence Life Leadership Team, and university financial staff.
Develop and maintain financial forecasting models that support long-term planning and decision-making.
Public-Private Partnership (P3)
Serve as the primary financial liaison with the P3 partner, maintaining timely and effective communication regarding invoicing, payments, reconciliations, reporting, and other fiscal matters related to the partnership.
Develop, implement, and maintain financial controls and reporting processes related to P3 operations that ensure accountability, transparency, and compliance with university policies and contractual requirements.
Oversee invoicing for reimbursable expenses and monitor accounts receivable related to the P3 partnership, ensuring accuracy and compliance with contractual agreements, as well as the timely collection of payments.
Direct and monitor the timely reconciliation and transfer of housing revenues generated through the P3 arrangement, collaborating with the Director of Housing Operations to ensure accurate reporting and compliance with agreements.
Secondary Job Duties and Responsibilities:
Prepare ad hoc financial reports and analysis as needed.
Serve as liaison with university departments on campus such as accounting, payroll, student billing, and student employment.
Train current and new staff on university purchasing, pro-card, and web time-entry processes and guidelines.
Track and reconcile expenditures and balances for WKU College Heights Foundation endowment accounts.
Leadership Activities:
Serve on the Housing and Residence Life Leadership Team.
Participate in enrollment management and budget meetings with the AVP for Budget, Finance and Analytics and AVP of Student Engagement to support the annual budget.
Create budgeting and purchasing presentations.
Job Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
At least 5 years of financial management experience, with knowledge of general ledger, financial statement reporting, and budgetary procedures and practices.
Additional Information:
Salary Range: $75,000 - $90,000
Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.
Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices.
Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, may contact the Office of Institutional Equity at 270-745-5121 for assistance. To report concerns related to WKU's Discrimination and Harassment Policy, No. 0.2040 and/or WKU's Sex and Gender-Based Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy, No. 0.2070, please complete the Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Reporting Form (https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?WesternKentuckyUniv&layout_id=95) . Additional information regarding Title IX, including contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and reporting options, is available on WKU's Title IX website (https://www.wku.edu/titleix/) .
Information concerning educational programs offered by WKU are provided at: https://www.wku.edu/academics/
For information related to job postings, application status, or the hiring process, please email employment@wku.edu.
