Budget Analyst I

Quest Oracle Community; Piscataway Township (NJ); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, seeks 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.

The role emphasizes advanced Excel and data-driven storytelling; you will convert data into executive-ready narratives, dashboards, and presentations for senior leadership,

Responsibilities

• 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.

Job description

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.

Key duties:

• 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.

Minimum Education & 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.

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.

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.