Budget/Fiscal Manager

Montana State University - Office of Student Engagement; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 40,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana State University is seeking a Budget & Fiscal Manager within the University Budget Office to shape long-range financial strategy across units. The role partners with department leaders, FSS, and HR to optimize resources, deliver insights, and train BOMs for financial stewardship.

The successful candidate will guide multi-funding budgeting and provide strategic leadership, ensuring compliance with policies and driving improved financial health across the division.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in development, analysis, and execution of complex budgets and long-range fiscal plans.
• Experience communicating budget data to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial leadership for the unit, managing and advising millions in resources from multiple funding sources.
• Forecast, plan, and oversee annual and long-range budgets, including internal models and projections.
• Ensure compliance with budget plans and communicate variances for timely action.
• Analyze financial trends and service usage to support data-informed decisions.
• Collaborate with directors, FSS, and HR partners to align staffing with resources and manage position budgets.
• Deliver timely financial reporting to leadership for operational planning.
• Coordinate central budget activities and serve as a liaison for the unit.
• Ensure adherence to MSU and BOR financial policies while improving processes.

Skills

Budgeting

Financial analysis

Policy interpretation

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27090 For questions regarding this position, please contact: Mackenzie Seeley 406-994-2990 [e-mail]

Classification Title Budget Analyst IV Working Title Budget/Fiscal Manager Brief Position Overview

The University Budget Office at Montana State University (MSU) is seeking a Budget & Fiscal Manager to provide strategic leadership in financial planning and budget management for multiple units. They will serve as the financial expert, advising unit leads on the availability of funding for personnel and operational changes.

Position Number 4M0452 Department Budget Office Division University Business Services - Financial Services Appointment Type Classified Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Exempt Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary $35.00 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications Contract Type Classified Salary If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

The Budget & Fiscal Manager is a member of the University Budget Office, reporting to the University Budget Director. In collaboration with leaders, it sets the strategic financial direction of units within the division, through long-range budget planning and business strategy development. This role partners closely with department decision makers, Fiscal Shared Service (FSS) partners, and Human Resources business partners to manage and execute financial operations across the division. Using data-driven analysis, this individual will provide financial insights that inform strategic decision-making and optimize the use of multiple finding sources. As a key advisor in the budgetary process, the Budget & Fiscal Manager will play a critical role in shaping decisions that directly influence the unit’s financial health and long-term goals. In addition, this role will provide onboarding and ongoing financial training to Business Operation Managers (BOM) roles within the unit. This position requires strong organizational, analytical, and technical skills, along with a collaborative and solution-oriented approach.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial leadership for the unit, managing and advising millions in resources from multiple funding sources.
• Forecast, plan, and oversee the development of annual and long-range budgets, including internal budget models, revenue projections, and expenditure plans.
• Work with unit heads to ensure compliance with the budget plan set forth at the start of the fiscal year and communicate variances for timely action.
• Analyze financial trends and service usage – particularly in fee-based units – to evaluate fiscal impacts and support data-informed decision-making.
• Collaborate with department directors, FSS, and HR partners to ensure alignment between staffing needs and financial resources, including oversight of position budgeting.
• Deliver timely financial reporting and insights to department leaders to support operational activities, strategic planning and accountability.
• Serve as a key liaison for the unit in central budget activities.
• Ensure compliance with MSU and Board of Regents (BOR) financial policies and procedures while continually improving financial processes

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, finance or a related field, OR an equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience.
• Demonstrated competence and experience in development, analysis, and execution of complex budgets and long-range business/fiscal management plans.
• Successful experience in interpreting, explaining, and presenting detailed budget and fiscal data, both verbally and in writing, to a broad group of constituents.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Suite, specifically Excel formulas and applications.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Experience working in financial based roles at a higher education institution.
• Demonstrated knowledge in interpreting and applying institutional policies and procedures.
• Ability to initiate, coordinate, oversee and complete various projects on own initiative.
• Strong organizational techniques with the ability to manage multiple tasks and remain flexible.
• Experience leveraging data from an ERP system.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Exercise sound judgement and initiative in decision-making, while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.
• Lead and collaborate effectively with teams and stakeholders of all backgrounds, demonstrating strong interpersonal and conflict solution skills.
• Present complex financial and administrative information in ways that build clarity, transparency, and informed decision-making across varying levels of financial expertise.
• Communicate clearly and effectively in both written and verbal formats, including presentations.
• Manage multiple priorities with attention to detail, accuracy, and adherence to deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Utilize financial systems and tools proficiently, including spreadsheets, databases, and various reporting systems. Experience using Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook are preferred.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? No

Posting Detail Information

Number Of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date At The Conclusion Of a Successful Search. Position End Date (if Temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications Will Be

Screening of applications will begin on September 23, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).