Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis

Compensation Range:

Position Summary

This position is responsible for supporting the AVP of Financial Planning & Analysis in executing the University's financial planning and analysis functions. The role develops and maintains strong partnerships with marketing leaders, enrollment decision makers, and academic deans by providing actionable financial insights through KPI reporting, forecasting, budgeting, long-range planning, return on investment analysis, and other value-added financial analyses. This position is also responsible for identifying and evaluating opportunities to improve operating margins, increase efficiency, and maximize the return on the University's investments and resources while supporting strategic decision-making and long-term institutional growth.

Essential Functions:

• Collaborate with enrollment, marketing, academic, and operational leaders to develop forecast assumptions, evaluate strategic initiatives, and support data-driven decision-making, including analysis of enrollment trends, marketing effectiveness, and student acquisition costs.

• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual variance analyses against budget, forecast, and prior-year results, providing insight into key financial and operational drivers.

• Support the development, maintenance, and execution of the annual operating budget, long-range financial plan, and periodic forecasts.

• Partner with functional leaders and academic deans to review financial performance, identify risks and opportunities, and support informed business decisions.

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of financial planning models, dashboards, and reporting solutions using Workday, Adaptive Planning, Power BI, and other analytical tools to support executive decision-making and organizational performance.

• Develop financial models, scenario analyses, and business cases to support investment decisions, resource allocation, and strategic planning initiatives.

• Perform financial analyses to identify opportunities to improve operating margins, optimize resource utilization, improve student acquisition efficiency, and support the University's long-term financial sustainability.

• Support the financial planning, forecasting, and analysis of grant-funded programs and initiatives, including evaluation of funding utilization, sustainability, and financial impact.

• Prepare and distribute KPI, financial, and operating performance reports, dashboards, scorecards, and executive presentations.

• Develop and maintain leadership dashboards and communicate the financial impact of business trends, enrollment performance, and operational initiatives.

• Ensure the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of financial planning models, management reporting, and performance metrics.

• Conduct ad hoc financial analyses and special projects to support institutional priorities and strategic initiatives.

• Partner with stakeholders to continuously improve FP&A processes, reporting capabilities, and data-driven decision-making across the University.

• Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position currently has no direct reports but may assume supervisory responsibility for FP&A staff as the department grows and organizational needs evolve.

Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree required, Master’s degree preferred

• Professional Experience: 4-6 years progressive finance, accounting, or FP&A required. 7+ years of progressive finance, accounting, or FP&A preferred.

• Experience in higher education preferred

• Experience with Workday/Adaptive Planning preferred

Competencies/Technical/Functional Skills:

• Utilizes data-driven analytics to identify trends, operational risks, financial opportunities, and performance improvement initiatives. Translates financial and operational data into actionable recommendations that support strategic decision-making.

• Applies advanced knowledge of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, financial modeling, and performance measurement. Translates complex financial information into meaningful business insights.

• Builds effective partnerships across academic, operational, and administrative functions. Collaborate with leaders to align financial strategies with organizational objectives.

• Influences stakeholders at all levels of the organization and gains alignment on financial priorities, resource allocation decisions, and strategic initiatives.

• Evaluates complex business issues, challenges conventional approaches, and develops innovative solutions that improve financial performance, operational efficiency, and organizational effectiveness.

• Identifies opportunities to improve margins, optimize resource utilization, and support long-term financial sustainability through data-driven analysis and recommendations.

• Defines issues, collects and interprets data, evaluates alternatives, and develops practical solutions through strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Manages multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high degree of accuracy, attention to detail, and accountability.

• Leads, mentors, and supports team members while fostering a collaborative, customer-focused, and results-oriented work environment.

• Drives continuous process improvement through enhancements to planning, forecasting, reporting, and financial management processes.

• Communicates complex financial concepts clearly and effectively to both financial and non-financial audiences, including executive leadership, through strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.

• Works independently while maintaining effective partnerships across departments and organizational levels.

• Establishes measurable goals, monitors performance, and drives successful outcomes aligned with organizational objectives.

• Demonstrates proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and financial planning and reporting systems. Utilizes Workday, Adaptive Planning, Power BI, and other business intelligence and enterprise reporting tools to support analysis and decision-making.

• Applies financial management principles within a higher education environment, including enrollment-driven revenue models, academic operations, grants planning, and institutional budgeting practices.

• Maintains a results-oriented, disciplined, and systematic approach with exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Builds credibility and trust through professionalism, accountability, integrity, and sound financial judgment.

Location: Remote, USA

Travel: up to 10% travel

Candidate receiving offers will be offered a salary/pay rate commensurate with experience that vary based on a candidate’s qualifications, skills, and competencies.  Absent exceptional circumstances, candidates will be offered a salary within this range for this position. The minimum salary will be offered based on the minimum exemption threshold based on state of residency. Base pay is one component of National University’s total rewards package, as we are dedicated to supporting the needs of the “whole you” with our holistic approach to employee benefits by offering comprehensive well-being benefits for you and your family.  For full details about our benefit plan offerings, please visit benefits.nu.edu. For Part-time benefits, please click here.

National University is committed to maintaining a high-quality workforce representative of the populations we serve. National University employs more than 4,500 faculty and staff and serves over 45,000 students. We are united in our mission to meet the global education demands of the 21st Century and are dedicated to creating a supportive academic and work environment that allows students, faculty and staff to develop their interests and talents while experiencing a sense of community. With programs available both online and at our many campus locations, National University is a leader in creating innovative solutions to education and meeting the needs of our student population, including adult learners and working professionals.

National University (NU) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant per applicable federal, state and local laws. At NU, a mix of highly talented, innovative and creative people come together to make the impact of a lifetime for each of our student learners. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment, education, and admission at National University.