Student Wellness is a part of the Division of Student Success at MSU. Student Wellness provides support and services for student and community health and wellbeing at MSU and is comprised of three departments (Campus Recreation, Counseling and Psychological Services, and Student Health Services) as well as a core Student Wellness office that includes administration, health education and promotion programming staff, and shared service staff. The Director of Budget and Finance is an important team member who works with leadership in all SW areas and reports directly to the AVP of Student Wellness. The Director works closely with the University Budget Office and Fiscal Shared Services partners on campus. This role provides strategic support and advising on complex funding and revenue models within Student Wellness. In collaboration with leaders, it sets the strategic financial direction of units through long-range budget planning and business strategy development. The Director of Budget and Finance collaborates closely with the Associate Vice President for Wellness, unit directors, Fiscal Shared Service (FSS) partners, and Human Resources business partners to manage and execute financial operations across Student Wellness. Using data-driven analysis, this individual will provide financial insights that inform strategic decision-making and optimize the use of multiple funding sources.
As a key advisor in the budgetary process, the Director will play a critical role in shaping decisions that directly influence the unit’s financial health and long-term goals of Student Wellness. In addition, the position will provide ongoing training and support to SW Business Operations Managers to ensure SW alignment with broader university budget and fiscal processes. This position requires strong organizational, analytical, and technical skills, along with a collaborative and solution-oriented approach.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Strategic financial leadership for SW, managing and advising on all funding sources.
- Forecast, plan, and oversee the development of annual and long-range budgets, including internal budget models, revenue projections, student fee modeling, and expenditure plans.
- Work with unit Directors to ensure compliance with the budget plan set forth at the start of the fiscal year and communicate variances for timely action.
- Analyze financial trends and service usage – particularly in fee-based units – to evaluate fiscal impacts and support data-informed decision-making.
- Advise leadership on opportunities for revenue generation within Student Wellness, while ensuring priority remains on service to students. Assist with capital planning and project budgeting, including financial analysis, funding strategy, cost projections, and ongoing fiscal monitoring.
- Collaborate with SW leadership, Fiscal Shared Services (FSS) and Human Resources (HR) partners to ensure alignment between staffing needs and financial resources, including oversight of position budgeting.
- Deliver timely financial reporting and insights to department leaders to support operational activities, strategic planning and accountability.
- Serve as a key liaison for Student Wellness in central budget activities, including university budget submissions.
- Provide financial training and support to the unit business operations managers as needed.
- Ensure compliance with MSU and Board of Regents (BOR) financial policies and procedures while continually improving financial processes.
- Other fiscal management duties, as have been assigned.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, finance or a related field, OR an equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience.
- A record of at least three years of progressively responsible financial work experience.
- Demonstrated competence and experience in development, analysis, and execution of complex budgets and long-range business/fiscal management plans for a large organization.
- Successful experience in interpreting, explaining, and presenting detailed budget and fiscal data, both verbally and in writing, to a diverse group of constituents.
- Demonstrated proficiency utilizing financial systems and tools, including spreadsheets, databases, and various reporting systems. Experience using Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook are preferred.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Experience working in financial based roles at a higher education institution.
- Demonstrated knowledge in interpreting and applying institutional policies and procedures.
- Ability to initiate, coordinate, oversee and complete various projects on own initiative.
- Strong organizational techniques with the ability to manage multiple tasks and remain flexible.
- Experience leveraging data from an ERP system.
The Successful Candidate Will
- Exercise sound judgement and initiative in decision-making, while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.
- Lead and collaborate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders, demonstrating strong interpersonal and conflict solution skills.
- Present complex financial and administrative information in ways that build clarity, transparency, and informed decision-making across varying levels of financial expertise. Communicate clearly and effectively in both written and verbal formats, including presentations.
- Manage and adapt to multiple priorities with attention to detail, accuracy, flexibility and adherence to deadlines in a dynamic work environment.
- Display strong attention to detail while maintaining a strategic, big-picture perspective.
- Demonstrate commitment to and understanding of Student Wellness values including belonging, empowerment, compassion, fun, student-centered, and integrity.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Physical Demands
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
This position has supervisory duties?
No
