Director of Budget & Financial Analyst

University of Oklahoma - Norman, OK

Full-time - Mid Level

Norman, OK

Educational Services

About the position

The Director of Budget & Financial Analyst will serve as a key leadership role within the Athletics Business Office at the University of Oklahoma. This position is pivotal in managing the athletics department's overall annual budget, which exceeds $200 million. The Director will work closely with the Deputy AD/CFO and the Associate AD, Finance, to ensure effective financial management, administration, analysis, and evaluation of financial activities within the athletics department. The role requires a high level of independence, organization, and attention to detail, as the individual will be responsible for creating and managing monthly budget reports, collaborating with the OU Foundation on financial transactions, and ensuring accurate monthly reconciliations. In this role, the Director will monitor and analyze the department's budget, oversee the preparation of reports for budget managers, and ensure that all units operate within their allocated budgets. The position also involves continuous monitoring of cash and reserve balances, preparing and analyzing financial statements, and building dynamic forecasting models to support business decisions. The Director will lead the development of the annual Athletic Department budget and prepare summary reports for presentation to the Director of Athletics. Additionally, the role includes overseeing OU Foundation financials, preparing budget transfers, conducting analysis of monthly expenses, and ensuring compliance with NCAA financial reporting requirements. The Director will also assist in long-range financial planning, manage ticket office reconciliations, and serve as a liaison with the University Budget Office. This position requires strong financial acumen, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines. The successful candidate will contribute to the overall financial health of the athletics department and support its mission to provide equitable athletic opportunities for all student-athletes.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze an over $200M annual budget within the university financial systems, including revenue and expense transactions.
• Oversee the preparation of monthly budget reports for department budget managers to review and work with all sports and support areas on ensuring each unit is working within their budget.
• Continuously monitor department cash and reserve balances to ensure that expenses do not exceed the allocated budget.
• Prepare and analyze real-time and monthly department financial statements for review by Associate AD, Finance and Deputy AD/CFO.
• Build dynamic forecasting models for revenue and expense line items to support business decisions.
• Lead the development of the annual Athletic Department budget and prepare summary reports for the Director of Athletics.
• Oversee OU Foundation financials, including transactions and monthly reconciliation with Paciolan reports.
• Work with the Compliance Office to prepare and monitor annual scholarship and financial aid expenses.
• Prepare budget transfers to ensure correct budgeted amounts are in accounts, including cost transfers.
• Conduct analysis of monthly department expense transactions and spending data, including utilities and facilities management billing.
• Research and prepare analytics reports as requested by the Associate AD, Finance and/or Deputy AD/CFO.
• Prepare and complete the Annual EADA Financial Reports for the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act.
• Prepare and complete the Annual NCAA Agreed Upon Procedures for financial data submission.
• Assist in long-range financial planning as requested by the Associate AD, Finance and/or Deputy AD/CFO.
• Responsible for monthly reconciliations and postings of Ticket Office tickets and revenue.
• Serve as the liaison with the University Budget Office for annual budgeting exercises and budget transfers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Management, or related field.
• 48 months of working experience in a complex financial role or related experience.
• Strong financial background with the ability to review and analyze numbers.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel.
• Knowledge of accounting, audit preparation, fiscal management, and budgetary principles.
• Ability to create financial modeling and analysis with attention to detail.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple requests simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, or Accounting preferred.
• Experience in working in college athletics preferred.