Unit Financial Planning Officer

Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

The Office of Finance and Planning (OFP) supports the University's mission by safeguarding assets, maintaining fiscal integrity, and encouraging the rational and effective allocation of the University’s financial resources

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Unit Financial Planning Officer (FPO) provides high-level financial, administrative, and strategic planning support to the unit executive leader to position the Unit meet key performance metrics and strategic goals. 

The role analyzes complex data sets and helps the executive leader to understand the data and make data-informed decisions that align with the unit’s strategic plan and optimally contributes to University’s overall strategic plan. Provides oversight of financial planning, resource allocation, business operations, and budget forecasting for the unit and its underlying departments. 

The position also works with the University Planning team to develop advanced business and financial models, data analyses, and process improvements in support of unit’s goals and growth. 

The FPO provides leadership to the unit and department staff related to the college business functions.

Job level and compensation will be determined based on the selected candidate’s experience and qualifications.

Essential Functions:

• Work with complex data sets, analytics tools, and visualization software to analyze data and help the executive leader to understand the data and make data-informed decisions that align with the unit’s strategic plan and key performance metrics. This includes leading the unit to understand the revenue and cost margins of each department, program, course, and activity, and identifying opportunities for strategic optimization of resources.
   

• Work closely with the Unit executive leader and provides oversight to the departments on financial planning, resource allocation, grants and contracts, business operations, enrollment management, endowments and gifts, scholarships, waivers, GTA / GRA appointments, salary, and benefit allocations, compliance reporting, ranking surveys, budget forecasting, and data needs.
   

• Develop advanced business and financial models for enrollment and revenue projections, evaluate academic programs and new revenue-generating opportunities, models research productivity, workforce planning, faculty hiring, infrastructure assessments, and space needs, and strategically plans for rapidly evolving opportunities and challenges for the unit and its departments.
   

• Work with databases and create new reports as needed.
   

• Understand the financial condition of the unit and its departments, as well as the university, and formulate financially sustainable strategies and contingencies for the unit.
   

• Continuously assesses and monitors financial performance and forecasts budget to actuals.
   

• Represent the unit in business and financial meetings and on University committees.
   

• Serve as a liaison between the unit and the Strategic Financial Planning department of the Office of Finance & Planning and that keeps that office informed of challenges and opportunities.
   

• Collaborate with the directors of the unit team to strengthen and improve business processes within the units, incorporating and sharing university best practices.
   

• Communicates and provides consultative training and guidance to the department chairs and business and administrative staff to ensure they understand the finances of the department and use consistent and effective business practices within the college.
   

• Perform other duties as assigned.