Board-Ready Budget & Forecast Lead (Hybrid)

ULSE Inc.; Evanston (IL); Hybrid; USD 98,562 - 135,523; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus compensation

Comprehensive health insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Flexible scheduling

Hybrid work arrangements

Job summary

UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE) in Evanston, IL, seeks a Budget & Financial Analyst Lead to drive enterprise budgeting, forecasting, and board‑level analysis. You will partner with senior leaders to translate priorities into actionable financial plans and provide data‑driven insights for decision making.

The role requires 8+ years of experience, a Bachelor’s in accounting/finance, and proficiency with Workday, Adaptive, and Excel.

Qualifications

• Strong expertise in budgeting, variance analysis, and financial principles within a complex organization.
• Ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable recommendations for non‑financial stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills and attention to detail in financial planning and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual budgets and multi‑year plans aligned with strategy.
• Partner with senior leaders to translate priorities into actionable financial plans.
• Oversee monthly budget‑to‑actual variance analysis and provide cost optimization recommendations.
• Prepare and present narratives for monthly close and board reports with clear drivers and implications.
• Develop financial reports, forecasts, and analyses for senior leadership.
• Lead quarterly forecasting with forward‑looking projections and insights.
• Guide departments in high‑impact budget preparation and financial presentations for executives and the board.
• Drive process improvements in budgeting, forecasting, and reporting including data quality enhancements.
• Mentor analysts and provide coaching to strengthen the team.
• Act as a strategic finance partner for resource allocation and cost management.

Skills

Budgeting

Variance analysis

Financial storytelling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance

Tools

Workday

Adaptive

Excel

Job description

UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE) in Evanston, IL, seeks a Budget & Financial Analyst Lead to drive enterprise budgeting, forecasting, and board‑level analysis. You will partner with senior leaders to translate priorities into actionable financial plans and provide data‑driven insights for decision making.

The role requires 8+ years of experience, a Bachelor’s in accounting/finance, and proficiency with Workday, Adaptive, and Excel.