Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Partner

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 56,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Utah seeks an FP&A Partner to support University Marketing and Communications with comprehensive financial planning, analysis, reporting, and transactional support. The role partners with unit leadership to enable informed financial decisions through accurate analyses and forecasts.

The position emphasizes collaboration, process improvement, and timely financial insights across academic and administrative units, with close attention to budget alignment and policy adherence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with 4 years of related work experience.
• Master's degree (or equivalent) with 2 years of related work experience.
• Experience in financial planning, analysis, and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Develop an in-depth understanding of assigned departments' operations and financial drivers.
• Support preparation and execution of departmental and college budgets.
• Prepare forecasts and variance analyses and explain variances as needed.
• Monitor budget activity and identify opportunities for cost optimization.
• Develop financial models and analytical tools for budgeting, forecasting, and decision-making.

Skills

Financial planning

Financial analysis

Reporting

Budgeting

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Equivalency

Tools

Financial systems

Job description

Job Summary

We have an immediate opening for an Financial Planning & Analysis Partner to support University Marketing and Communications to join as soon as October 1.

The FP&A Partner provides comprehensive financial planning, analysis, reporting, and transactional support for assigned academic and administrative units. Working in close partnership with unit leadership, FP&A Partners support informed financial decision-making by delivering accurate analysis, reliable forecasts, and consistent operational support.

Responsibilities

• Develop an in-depth understanding of assigned departments' operations, objectives, and financial drivers.
• Support the preparation and execution of departmental and college budgets in alignment with institutional guidance, timelines, and budget assumptions.
• Prepare forecasts and variance analyses for assigned units; identify trends, risks, and areas requiring attention, and explain variances as needed.
• Monitor budget activity throughout the year and support units in identifying opportunities for cost optimization and efficient use of resources.
• Develop financial models and analytical tools to support budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and unit-level decision-making
• Financial Operations and Reporting
• Prepare, generate, and maintain financial reports and analyses that support accuracy, transparency, and unit-level decision-making.
• Respond to ad hoc reporting requests and data inquiries from unit or department leadership and other stakeholders.
• Develop a working knowledge of institutional financial systems and data sources; create reports and queries as needed to support assigned units.
• Assist with annual budget reporting activities, including the investigation and compilation of variance explanations, as needed.
• Process invoices and match purchase orders in accordance with institutional policies.
• Complete financial reconciliations across systems to validate data consistency, resolve discrepancies, and maintain accurate financial records.
• Review purchases and contracts to confirm sufficient budget and funding availability prior to processing.
• Review position funding and payroll-related financial impacts for assigned units to ensure alignment with approved budgets and funding sources.
• Review and approve vendor payments and P-Card transactions in accordance with university policy.
• Policy and Compliance
• Advise departments on university financial policies, procedures, and requirements; monitor adherence within assigned units.
• Evaluate and document finance processes and standard operating procedures (SOPs); recommend improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and consistency.
• Work with FP&A Director or Managers to identify training needs and opportunities to improve financial processes, staff understanding, and unit-level support.
• Collaborate with the Service Delivery Hub and other finance partners to ensure coordinated and effective service delivery.
• Collaboration and Consultation
• Serve as a primary financial partner to assigned academic and administrative units, fostering strong working relationships built on trust and service.
• Communicate financial information clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences, including faculty and staff.
• Advise customers, such as faculty and staff, on system access, navigation, and appropriate request submission processes.
• Participate in unit and department leadership discussions related to financial planning, providing financial insight and operational context.
• Direct faculty and staff to appropriate finance resources and channels as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

Financial Planning and Analysis Partner, II: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.

Financial Planning and Analysis Partner, III: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.

Financial Planning and Analysis Partner, IV: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 8 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 6 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

• A bachelor's degree (or equivalency) +4 years of directly related work experience OR:
• A master's degree (or equivalency)+ 2 years of directly related work experience.
• Note: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience.

Preference may be given to current UofU staff who are eligible for Expression of Interest with the ability to start immediately.

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN46199B

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Work Schedule Summary: Work location expectations for Coordinated Services roles will follow University policy for remote, hybrid, and in-person work arrangements. FP&A Partners work location will be with the units they support, dependent on workspace availability. M-F 8-5.

Department: 00285 – Chief Financial Officer

Location: Campus

Pay Rate Range: 56,000-130,000

Close Date: 12/11/2026

Open Until Filled