Budget & Finance Manager

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 05-27-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

At UC Santa Cruz, Information Technology Services (ITS) is committed to providing exceptional, modern, accessible, and secure services through strategic partnerships with academic and administrative divisions. Our mission is to meet the evolving needs of students, faculty, and staff, while fostering a culture that embraces the rich variety of perspectives and experiences within our community.

Building on the UCSC Principles of Community, we emphasize clear, respectful communication, celebrating successes, assuming positive intent, and aligning our actions with ITS goals. We are committed to keeping our promises, addressing conflicts directly, and supporting decisions once made, all while promoting a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.

University of California offers competitive benefits including University of California (UC) retirement with pension options, Medical, Dental & Vision Care Insurance Plans on the first day of employment for eligible staff and Paid Family Care and Bonding Leave, and a generous accrual program. Visit the UC benefits page for more information at UC Compensation and Benefits.

JOB SUMMARY

The position is responsible for directing and managing budget and financial activities for the Information Technology Services (ITS) Division at the direction of executive management and the Associate Vice Chancellor for Resource Planning & Management (AVC-RPM).

The Budget and Finance Manager provides high-level analysis and oversight in the areas of budget operations, financial modeling, and leading complex efforts and programs that involve budget development and funding model alignment for IT services. This position plays a key role in the strategic divisional resource planning process. The manager coordinates the activities that enable comprehensive resource management, including financial planning, budget development, and analytical consulting. The position analyzes and reviews existing programs as needed and develops strategic financial plans to implement recommendations. In this customer-facing role, this position executes the financial strategy for all IT services within the ITS Division.

The Budget and Finance Manager is responsible for high-level coordination of ITS divisional financial programs, including financial and systems operations and analysis. This position works closely and independently with ITS senior managers and the Office of the VC-IT to provide comprehensive, direct analytical and policy recommendations for operational, financial, budgetary, and overall financial programmatic planning for the ITS division. The position leads a variety of financial analytical and planning efforts and administers campus and systemwide programs that impact the division and campus. The position serves as a key advisor to the VC-IT and the division's leadership team, providing guidance and recommendations on a wide range of financial issues. The position performs a variety of duties for the ITS Division, including (but not limited to) policy development, project management, research, data analysis, and reporting.

This role also supervises the finance team, which is responsible for advanced financial analysis, budget management, and financial operations across their respective areas, while also ensuring the integration of cost optimization strategies within broader financial and operational planning. The outputs of the position's work are often the basis for strategic campus-wide decisions.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $110,000 - $150,000/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Remote

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 000212 (FINANCIAL ANL MGR 1) - Grade 25

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

65% - Budget & Financial Operations

• Lead and manage a team of financial analysts overseeing complex funding sources, including IT assessments, state and federal contracts, grants, recharge, and fee funds, ensuring efficient and effective financial management.
• Oversee budgeting, accounting, service costing, and recharge development for the IT services portfolio, ensuring all activities align with the division's financial strategy and evolving business requirements.
• Develop, analyze, and optimize financial models for existing and emerging IT services, ensuring strategic alignment with campus funding and cost allocation strategies.
• Collaborate with campus stakeholders to define and implement funding models and cost allocation strategies for IT services, contributing to high-level financial proposals and models.
• Provide high-level operational and strategic analysis, including financial modeling and budget planning, to support the long-term sustainability and growth of IT services.
• Ensure divisional compliance with financial controls, audit practices, delegations of authority, and internal policies, driving accountability and transparency across the division.
• Lead complex financial analysis projects, collaborating across functions and locations to develop solutions for financial challenges and provide divisional insights into budget management.

15% - Financial Portfolio Management & ITSM Financial Integration

• Oversee financial analysis for IT services within the portfolio, ensuring services are financially viable, sustainable, and aligned with strategic goals, leveraging ITSM best practices.
• Develop and implement a regular financial review cycle for the portfolio, ensuring that projects and services align with UCSC ITS's long-term roadmap and strategic goals.
• Monitor and analyze the financial performance of IT services, tracking ROI, cost-benefit analyses, and funding scenarios, and use this data to inform leadership decision-making.
• Collaborate with IT service managers to assess financial health and performance across the portfolio, guiding investment decisions and prioritizing service initiatives based on financial impact.
• Contribute to the development of business cases for new IT services, ensuring financial models and strategies are in place to support project funding and prioritization.
• Drive continuous improvements in portfolio governance, decision-making processes, and financial tools, ensuring financial alignment with organizational priorities.
• Work with leadership to evaluate and reallocate financial resources across IT services, optimizing investments and ensuring strategic use of funds in the IT portfolio.

20% - Management/Team Development

• Lead and mentor the finance team, providing coaching and guidance to ensure the successful execution of financial strategies and the achievement of divisional goals.
• Set clear goals, expectations, and performance standards for team members, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and providing ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Manage and develop team members through regular performance reviews, training, and skill-building opportunities, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Collaborate with ITS leadership to ensure effective communication, team alignment, and cross-functional collaboration, supporting the division's overall mission and goals.
• Provide guidance and support to the finance team in executing complex financial projects, ensuring they are equipped with the tools and resources needed to succeed.
• Assist with leadership transition planning, ensuring team continuity and maintaining a strong focus on the division's financial and strategic priorities.
• Support the leadership team by providing financial expertise and guidance on key strategic initiatives, helping to shape the future direction of IT services at UCSC.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Advanced analytical skills to understand financial and operational data, and develop insights on where and how to focus organizational improvement efforts.
• Experience with budget management, coordination of a strategic investment portfolio, project metrics, and measurements, especially within an IT organization.
• Experience working on complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires advanced operational concepts and an in-depth evaluation of variable factors.
• Ability to use a high level of discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to exercise judgment in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.
• Proven creativity and problem-solving skills, with a track record of successful initiative and organizational improvement.
• Proven collaborative, negotiation, and persuasion skills. Comfortable working across departments, cultures, and with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Successful experience building and leading teams. Extensive experience in using supervisory and leadership techniques to manage diverse technical and financial staff.
• Ability to recruit and retain excellent staff, provide constructive feedback, effectively evaluate performance, and motivate others.
• Experience with financial systems, models, and industry best practices to advise operational leaders and their teams on financial and operational effectiveness.
• Comprehensive knowledge and application of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), especially as it pertains to IT services and higher education institutions.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in developing and analyzing strategy, engaging with senior management on planning and budgeting, and driving financial optimization across an organization.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High level interpersonal skills to work effectively with both technical and non-technical personnel at various levels across departments, and within a diverse and fast-paced work environment.
• Experience in a research university environment, with a focus on financial operations and strategic IT planning.
• Experience with University of California fund accounting principles.
• Professional certification in a related area.
• Lean / Six Sigma.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• This is a fully remote position, and the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.