ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, BUDGET AND FINANCE – 1035387
University of Illinois Extension
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES)
WE TRANSFORM LIVES.
Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence.
Be a part of our story. Through learning partnerships that extend knowledge and change lives, University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs aimed at making life better, healthier, safer, and more profitable for individuals and their communities. Illinois Extension has operated continuously for more than 100 years connecting the citizens of Illinois to their land-grant university by providing educational programming around the state. University of Illinois Extension is based in the College of ACES and works with all colleges and units of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
The Associate Director, Budget and Finance is a regular, full-time, 12-month academic professional who serves as a member of the Extension leadership team to provide counsel, support and day-to-day budgetary and fiscal advice to the Associate Dean and Director, University of Illinois Extension.
One full-time position is available.
Location: Urbana-Champaign Campus
Hybrid work may be available, but onsite work in Urbana-Champaign is required.
This is a security-sensitive position. Comprehensive background checks, including but not limited to a criminal conviction information check, a CANTS check, and a review of the Registered Sex Offender list, will be conducted.
Specific responsibilities of Extension Educators are as follows:
Organizational Leadership and Development
- Responsible for the development, oversight and management of the fiscal resource and statewide budget and finance functions of University of Illinois Extension.
- Develop and implement policies and procedures for campus and statewide field-based fiscal and business operations.
- Establish, implement, and oversee the management of all aspects of Extension’s fiscal operations, including budget planning and development, fiscal operations and business processes and implications for Illinois Extension operations.
- Provide thorough financial analysis and planning information to the Associate Dean and Director with support from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) Human Resources, ACES Budget, Finance, and Resource Planning and Campus units.
- Coordinate preparation of fiscal and human resource data related to the various funding sources within Extension.
- Manage Extension’s funds that include state and federal appropriations, grants, contracts, gifts, indirect cost recovery (ICR) funds and self-supporting funds.
- Develop policies and procedures that will assist in monitoring Extension Units’ financial health.
- Develop strategies for addressing possible fiscal variables that would have direct impact (negative and positive) upon Extension’s fiscal resources.
- Prepare Extension’s annual budget and provide budget analysis for the Associate Dean and Director’s review and submission to the Dean of ACES.
- Develop financial/business models to facilitate budget management and standardization of fiscal reporting.
- Work closely with ACES Human Resources and Office of Budget, Finance, and Resource Planning.
- Serve on Illinois Extension fiscal and personnel committees, as appropriate.
- Provide direct assistance to the Associate Dean and Director in timely response to public and staff concerns.
Personnel and Project Management
- Supervise the Senior Assistant Director Budget and Finance and Business Operations Manager, as well as other Extension Business Office staff.
- Work with the Associate Dean and Director, Assistant Deans/Program Leaders, Associate Directors for Regions 1, 2, and 3, and ACES Office of Budget, Finance, and Resource Planning to facilitate funding for special projects.
- Identify areas of fiscal activity that could benefit from improved processes and initiate the development and implementation of process improvements.
- Provide guidance and direction in the financial aspects of the employee hiring process.
- Oversee the financial aspect of hiring of new staff and assist with academic salary recommendations in coordination with Workforce Development with, and/or on behalf of, the Associate Dean and Director.
- Oversee Distribution Services.
- Demonstrate to stakeholders the importance of budget and finance activities to achieve high program quality, program expansion, program impact and organizational excellence.
Staff Development
- Work closely with Assistant Deans/Program Leaders, administrative Directors, and Associate Directors of Regions 1, 2, and 3 in providing leadership in fiscal policy development and operational strategy for campus and field-based offices.
- Provide direction and training to Unit and Regional offices in the understanding and proper management of self-supporting funds and cost recovery efforts, including program fee development.
- Partner with Assistant Deans/Program Leaders, Associate Directors for Regions 1, 2, and 3, and College of ACES Office of Budget, Finance, and Resource Planning in new and existing financial and budget initiatives.
Professional Development
- Participate in professional improvement opportunities when appropriate for the role of Associate Director.
Other Information
- Comply with all University of Illinois Extension Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity policies and guidelines in all aspects of Extension and Outreach work. Assume additional related responsibilities to enhance the mission of the unit.
- Local, regional, and statewide travel required; personal transportation required. Evening/weekend work are an integral part of this position. Travel reimbursement is provided for either personal vehicle use or other means of transportation as coordinated by employee in accordance with University policies.
- To perform the functions of this position, the employee will be required to perform work both within an office and outside in the communities that are served and must have the capability to travel from one location to the other in a timely fashion. Employee is responsible for securing personal transportation. A valid driver’s license is preferred. Some work will be required during evenings and/or weekends. When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety of environmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather, exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven ground. In performing the functions of this position, the employee may be subjected to various mental and physical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independently traveling to and performing work at different locations, ability to move, transfer and/or transport items that may occasionally weigh up to forty (40) pounds and frequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting, pushing and pulling movements. More detailed information regarding the functions of this position (including the physical, mental, and environmental requirements of the position) may be obtained from Human Resources for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) by contacting [email protected].
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Three years of experience in fiscal management within a large and complex organization with a high volume/time-sensitive workload.
- Commitment to shared decision-making and experience in working cooperatively in team and committee settings.
Preferred:
- MBA, MPA, or relevant advanced degree.
- Working knowledge of or experience in Extension and/or the land-grant university system.
- Direct experience and knowledge of University of Illinois business and accounting systems, as well as business processes, including HR, procurement, payables, receivables, grant submission and management, and contracts.
- Knowledge of and experience working with multiple sources of funds, including state, federal, gift, grants, self-supporting and ICR.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Excellent communications, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.
Additional Information
This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization. This position is a full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure academic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The previously determined salary range for this position was $110,000 to $135,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary while taking into consideration internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, as well as budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a calculation involving these elements. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at the top of the full range for this position. Generous vacation and sick leave. State Universities Retirement System. Group health, dental, vision and life insurance.
Application Procedure
To apply, go to https://go.illinois.edu/1035387. Please upload a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three professional references. Resume dates submitted must be in month/year format and employment history, at a minimum, should include all work dating back to the completion of your undergraduate degree. Positions that were less than full-time/100% must be noted as being part-time. Transcripts may be requested at a later date. To receive full consideration, all requested application materials must be submitted via the online system by the close date of April 6, 2026.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing [email protected].
For further information about this specific position, please contact Nick Unser at [email protected]. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
