Associate Vice President, Budget and Financial Planning

Lehigh University; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 177,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Lehigh University seeks an inaugural Associate Vice President for Budget and Financial Planning to lead enterprise budgeting, forecasting, and multi-year modeling. This on-campus role partners with senior leadership to translate complex data into strategic narratives guiding the university's financial future.

The AVP will establish a unified budgeting framework, oversee data governance, and mentor a high-performing team in a fast-changing higher-education environment.

Qualifications

• Strong budgeting, forecasting, and analysis background.
• Experience building complex financial models and scenario analysis.
• Leadership in budget/finance teams; higher education experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drive multi-year financial forecasts and peer benchmarking for leaders and board.
• Align budgets with capital financing, debt capacity, and facilities priorities.
• Deliver high-impact visual storytelling of projections to Board and executives.
• Lead financial data architecture, governance, and tool evaluation.
• Direct and mentor the Budget and Financial Planning team to continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic budgeting

Multi-year forecasting

Financial modeling

Data visualization

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/finance/Accounting/Economics/Public Administration

Master's degree preferred

Job description

The Opportunity

Lehigh University, a premier private residential R1 research university, invites applications and nominations for its inaugural Associate Vice President for Budget and Financial Planning (AVP).

Serving as a senior strategic advisor to the Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration and the Provost, the inaugural AVP will establish a unified, modern approach to enterprise budgeting, financial forecasting, and multi-year analytical modeling. This is an exceptional opportunity for a visionary systems thinker to transform complex financial data into compelling, actionable strategic narratives that directly shape Lehigh's long-term institutional direction.

Position Number: S80037

This position is a Grade: 14 - 40 with an approximate salary range of $177,110-$215,480 and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Modeling: Drive multi-year financial forecasts, sensitivity modeling, and peer benchmarking to inform executive leadership and board decision-making.
• Capital Strategy Integration: Partner with the AVP for Facilities and Treasurer to align operating budgets with capital financing, debt capacity, rating-agency positioning, and facilities priorities.
• Executive & Board Engagement: Deliver high-impact visual financial storytelling, presenting multi-year projections and performance analytics to the Board of Trustees' Finance Committee, Vice Presidents, and Deans.
• Systems & Data Governance: Lead the financial data architecture strategy, software evaluation, and data governance practices across Budget and Treasury to foster campus-wide financial agility.
• Team Leadership: Direct and mentor the Office of Budget and Financial Planning, cultivating a high-performing team focused on continuous improvement and data-informed practices.

Qualifications & Leadership Profile

Education & Experience

• Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Public Administration, or a related field ( Master's degree preferred ).
• Experience: 8+ years of overall experience, with at least 7 years of progressively responsible leadership in budgeting, financial planning, forecasting, or financial analysis. Higher education experience is preferred, but not required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Advanced Modeling & Analytics: Superior quantitative skills with proven expertise in building complex financial models, scenario modeling, and translating ambiguous data into strategic recommendations.
• Data Visualization & Storytelling: Advanced skill in visual reporting and presentation, translating complex data into clear narratives for executive, board, and non-financial audiences.
• Systems & Technology: Advanced proficiency with ERP systems, financial planning/reporting software, and business intelligence/visualization tools.
• Leadership & Change Management: Demonstrated capability to guide teams through process, technological, or organizational changes, leading collaboratively across institutional boundaries.
• Financial Alignment: Strong understanding of capital planning and financing considerations to effectively partner on debt, capital, and resource allocation models.

Special Considerations

• This position has fiscal or financial responsibilities other than employee expense activity, such as processing or approving transactions; monitoring or preparing budgets; or generating income for University, therefore, a credit check will be required.
• The duties of the position do not allow for a remote work option; the employee in this position will be required to work on campus where they can be fully accessible to the Lehigh community.

Lehigh University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. We are committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse community and we seek qualified candidates to contribute to the university's mission. Lehigh University offers a comprehensive and family friendly benefits package which includes but is not limited to Health Care, Retirement and Educational benefits. Information can be found on our website.

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehigh's Accommodations Specialist.

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position.

Advertised:

September 21, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time