Budget Analyst I

Rutgers University; Piscataway Township (NJ); Hybrid; USD 109,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid vacation and leave programs

Competitive retirement benefits

Educational benefits

Life insurance

Employee discount programs

Job summary

Rutgers University, located in Piscataway, NJ, seeks a Budget Analyst for the University Budget Office, responsible for developing models, forecasting, and financial planning across decentralized units. The role emphasizes analytical rigor, clear storytelling, and cross‑unit collaboration.

The position offers a hybrid work arrangement, a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities to impact university‑wide budgeting and strategic priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, business administration, data analytics, public administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of budgeting, financial planning and analysis, accounting, or related analytical experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains sophisticated financial models, forecasts, and scenario analyses.
• Supports annual operating budget development, tuition/ enrollment analysis, personnel costs, and allocations under the RCM framework.
• Converts data into narratives, visuals, dashboards, and executive summaries for senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Identifies trends and variances, explains drivers, and presents options linked to institutional priorities.
• Works independently on high-impact assignments with confidential information and collaborates across units.
• Supports operation of the current RCM model and related allocation processes.

Skills

Financial modeling

Data analysis

Communication

Presentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Excel

Power BI

SQL

PeopleSoft

Job description

Job Category Staff & Executive - Finance/Accounting/Purchasing

Department

Department UFA University Budget

Overview

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the State of New Jersey’s preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. As one of the largest employers in the State of New Jersey, Rutgers University is committed not only to the students and the State that we serve, but also to the faculty and staff who work on our campuses. Ranked in 2022 by Forbes as a top 100 best large employer in America, Rutgers’ commitment to its employees includes maintaining and fostering a safe, diverse, and respectful workplace environment, creating employment opportunities for our nation’s military veterans, and ensuring accessibility and accommodation for individuals with disabilities.

University Finance and Administration (UFA) advances Rutgers’ strategic priorities through the management of all central financial, administrative, and student information systems and processes. We supply the university’s financial community the professional guidance, services, tools, and information needed to make the informed decisions that contribute to Rutgers’ standing as an academic, health, and research powerhouse. We are deeply committed to our guiding principles and the core values that are critical for the long‑term strategic growth of our division and the university. For more information, please visit https://finance.rutgers.edu/.

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Budget Analyst for the University Office of Financial Planning, Analysis, and Budget, the central office that supports university-wide budget development, financial planning, analysis, reporting, and budget administration across our decentralized research university.

Among the key duties of the position are the following:

• Develops and maintains sophisticated financial models, forecasts, and scenario analyses that integrate financial, enrollment, workforce, student‑aid, research, and operational data.
• Supports annual operating budget development; tuition, fee, and enrollment analysis; personnel and fringe modeling; cost allocations under the University’s current Responsibility Center Management (RCM) framework; quarterly forecasting; and evaluation of financial risks, opportunities, and resource requests.
• Converts complex data into clear, accurate, and decision‑oriented narratives, visualizations, dashboards, presentations, and executive summaries for senior leadership, governing bodies, campus and unit financial leaders, and other stakeholders.
• Identifies material trends and variances, tests assumptions, explains financial drivers, and presents options and recommendations that connect financial results to institutional priorities.
• Works independently on high‑impact assignments, exercises sound judgment with confidential and sensitive information, including financial and compensation analyses related to collective bargaining agreements and negotiations, and collaborates across academic, research, health‑related, and administrative units.
• Supports the effective operation and analysis of the current RCM model and related allocation processes.

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Grade

Grade 08

Salary Details

Minimum Salary

Minimum Salary 108670.000

Mid Range Salary

Mid Range Salary 137547.000

Maximum Salary

Maximum Salary 166424.000

Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax‑deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Position Status

Position Status Full Time

Working Hours

Standard Hours

Standard Hours 37.50

Daily Work Shift

Work Arrangement

Consistent with the current application of Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 or the applicable provisions of relevant collective negotiations agreements, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, subject to change or discontinuation, and contingent on the employee receiving approval in the FlexWork@RU Application System.

Union Description

Union Description Administrators Confidential

Payroll Designation

Payroll Designation PeopleSoft

Terms of Appointment

Terms of Appointment Staff - 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility

Position Pension Eligibility ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in accounting, finance, economics, business administration, data analytics, public administration, or a related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in budgeting, financial planning and analysis, accounting, or a closely related analytical function.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in accordance with University policy.

Certifications/Licenses

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Financial and Analytical Capability

• Advanced ability to design and maintain complex, linked financial models; develop scenarios and forecasts; perform variance, trend, sensitivity, and cost‑benefit analyses; and identify material financial drivers.
• Strong understanding of operating budgets, financial information, revenue and expense behavior, personnel costs, fringe benefits, commitments, and recurring versus nonrecurring resources.
• Ability to work with large, diverse data sets; reconcile information across systems; evaluate data quality; test reasonableness; and maintain clear model documentation and controls.
• Ability to move from an ambiguous business question to a structured analytical approach, defensible conclusions, practical alternatives, and concise recommendations.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including complex formulas, pivot tables, lookup and aggregation functions, data validation, scenario tools, and efficient management of large data sets.
• Proficiency with presentation and reporting tools, including PowerPoint, data visualization or business‑intelligence platforms.
• Experience using enterprise resource planning, budgeting, financial reporting, or comparable integrated business systems.
• Ability to learn and adapt to evolving financial systems, data structures, reporting platforms, and analytical methods.

Communication, Storytelling & Collaboration

• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with demonstrated ability to explain complex financial information accurately and clearly to non‑financial audiences.
• Ability to create an evidence‑based financial narrative that connects data, drivers, context, implications, alternatives, and recommended action.
• Ability to develop concise executive summaries, polished presentations, decision memos, charts, and dashboards tailored to the audience and purpose.
• Consultative and collaborative working style; ability to build credibility, obtain information, challenge assumptions constructively, and work effectively across decentralized academic and administrative units.

Leadership & Professional Attributes

• Sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling confidential, sensitive, or high‑visibility information.
• Self‑direction, intellectual curiosity, initiative, and accountability for the accuracy and timeliness of assigned work.
• Ability to manage multiple complex assignments, shifting priorities, and firm deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail balanced with the ability to identify and communicate the broader institutional implications of an analysis.
• Commitment to transparency, service, continuous improvement, documentation, and effective stewardship of University resources.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, economics, public administration, data analytics, or a related field.
• Experience in financial planning and analysis at a public research university, academic health enterprise, government entity, or other complex, decentralized institution.
• Experience supporting an RCM , activity-based, or other allocation‑based budget environment.
• Experience with tuition and enrollment revenue modeling, student aid analysis, personnel forecasting, cost allocations, state appropriations, research‑related financial activity, or multi‑year planning.
• Knowledge of Oracle ERP Cloud, Oracle EPM / EPBCS , Smart View, Tableau, Power BI, Access or comparable platforms.
• Working knowledge of data‑query and transformation tools such as SQL , Power Query, Power Pivot, or equivalent functionality.
• Demonstrated experience preparing executive or board‑level financial presentations and translating analysis into financial storytelling.
• The specialized equipment for the incumbent will be in the form of the software identified above.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Work is primarily performed in an office or hybrid professional environment and requires prolonged computer use and periods of sedentary work.

Special Conditions

• May require evening or weekend work during peak budget cycles, critical reporting deadlines, and/or special projects.
• This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, subject to approval and operational needs.
• A regular on‑site presence of at least three (3) days per week is required, with additional on‑site days as needed.
• Employees approved for a hybrid work arrangement must reside in NJ, NY, PA or DE and be within a commutable distance of the university.

Posting Number

Posting Number 26ST1868

Posting Open Date

Posting Open Date 09/30/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

Regional Campus

Home Location Campus

Home Location Campus Off Campus

City Piscataway

State NJ

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals , if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate’s offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement

Supplemental Questions

• * Do you have a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in accounting, finance, economics, business administration, data analytics, public administration, or a related field?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have at least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in budgeting, financial planning and analysis, accounting, or a closely related analytical function (an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in accordance with University policy)?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Will you now or in the future require Rutgers University to sponsor you for employment authorization to work in the United States?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Are you able to work a hybrid schedule with a minimum of three days per week on campus in person, with any remote work performed only from NJ, NY, PA, or DE?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Briefly describe your direct experience developing and managing operating budgets and financial forecasts. Please provide one example that demonstrates your role in the process and how your analysis supported management decision‑making.

  (Open Ended Question)

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Optional Documents

• List of Professional References (contact Info)