Department: Budget & Planning

Web Announcement:

Manager, Data Analytics

The Office of Strategic Budgeting & Planning has developed a new position for a Manager of Data Analytics to join our team. This position will play a central role in key strategic budget and planning projects by enabling all forms of business outcomes through analytics, data and analytics governance and using analytics to drive innovation. S/he will be actively involved in building, developing and maintaining numerous financial models to support the University's integrated financial framework. These models will include analyzing, projecting and calculating tuition revenue and financial aid, which will be used to support the New Budget Model's current year and 5-year outlook. This position will also develop various financial analyses to monitor budget to actual variances, forecasting methodologies, year over year trends, scenario planning, market pricing analysis, etc. In addition, this position will develop a repository of standard financial schedules that will assist with addressing the State's numerous requests in an effective and efficient manner.

This position will work with the team to enhance the current level of analytical support for the Budget Office team by utilizing data dashboards and financial reports/tables (MicroStrategy) that are available through new Business Intelligence initiatives. It is expected that this position will collaborate with team members and various stakeholders to successfully turn data into useful and actionable information. Primary responsibilities will include strategic oversight of data analysis with key insights to communicate operational performance and defining processes for the effective, integrated introduction of data analysis. This position will consult with university fiscal, budget and IT management to define data management needs and structures, and confer with end users to gain an understanding of needed changes or modifications to support data needs.

Duties:

Data Management:

• Create and manage university budget and financial databases as needed to support financial reports and budget development tools;
• Perform expert level troubleshooting to resolve data problems and issues;
• Create and maintain a database back-up strategy that is aligned with organizational needs and perform back-up operations;
• Build and implement effective strategies which ensure overall data integrity;
• Identify and propose changes to data functionality or business processes to enhance customer service and best practices;
• Monitor data to ensure accurate reporting.

Strategic Financial Modeling and Analysis:

• Develop models and reports to support short-term and long-term planning, including trend and cost-benefit analyses, specifically the development of enrollment and financial aid models for budget development and forecasting;
• Collaborate with ITS' Business Intelligence team and other stakeholders to develop financial report and dashboards to meet the budget and financial reporting needs of campus end users and functional back offices;
• Oversight of all financial reports for budget subject areas and establishment of reporting priorities;
• Maintain existing financial reports and analyze/evaluate the requirements for new modified reports to meet organizational needs.

Financial Analyses:

• Develop a budget to actual variance analysis at the university and unit level;
• Create forecasting methodologies for core office reporting and eventually, reporting to the units;
• Develop financial schedules to manage final board approved allocations, State appropriations, and reserves;
• Develop scenario planning for tuition rate increases, cost of attendance changes, headcount reduction/increase, etc.

Training:

• Work with budget office team to provide forecasting methodology strategies and schedules;
• Make sure budget office team and stakeholders understand enrollment and financial aid models used for the New Budget Model;
• Will train end users on proper database and systems use;
• Responsible for budget and financial data base training;
• Prepare presentations for Budget Office leadership that communicate data-driven results to University Executive leadership;
• May be called to make presentations about budget development and planning tool when implemented.
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• Masters degree in Computer Science, IT, Business Administration, Finance, or related field with at least 5 years of experience working with budget and/or finance data and/or systems or Bachelors degree with at least 10 years of equivalent experience;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Strong customer service skills;
• The successful candidate must be a strategic thinker and have sound judgment with a collaborative style that fosters teamwork and cooperation beyond the immediate team to the broader organization.

Salary: Commensurate with education and experience.

Location: Fairfax, VA

Mason Ad Statement:

Great Careers Begin at Mason!

George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in both academics and research. Mason holds a top U.S. News and World Report “Up and Coming” spot for national universities and is recognized for its global appeal and excellence in higher education.

Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason’s diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.

If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!

George Mason University, Where Innovation is Tradition.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

Equity Statement:

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.