Engineering a world of possibilities
The Colorado School of Mines is a public R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering, producing the talent, knowledge, and solutions to serve industry and benefit society. Mines has a strong reputation and earns high rankings because of its STEM-focused education and research results.
The Office of Finance, Administration and Operations (FA&O) provides critical support to the mission and forward-thinking strategic initiatives while managing $325 million in operating activity, stewarding $1 billion in assets, and supporting 1400 faculty and staff. The Budget and Financial Planning Office is within FA&O and provides oversight for operating financials, budget forecasting, operational financial reporting, support for campus units’ financial planning, and collaboration with various campus units to manage the university’s financial health.
The Financial Planning Analyst II position primarily supports Colorado School of Mines’ Finance, Administration, and Operations (FAO), along with other administrative areas. The position reports directly to the Associate Director of Financial Analysis and Operations. The Budget and Financial Planning team works to enhance financial and budget forecasting, reporting, and analysis by being a resource and partner to the Mines community.
The position is responsible for operational forecasting, reporting, and analysis for a select portfolio along with institutional projects as assigned. Additionally, this position is responsible for procedural documentation, implementing the budgeting system, and communicating financial data into high-level summary reports. This position requires critical and strategic thinking, highly effective communication skills, the ability to perform robust financial analyses, independent problem-solving skills, effective and collaborative interpersonal abilities, attention to detail, initiative, and the ability to manage simultaneous, high-profile projects.
This position may be eligible for hybrid work in Colorado and requires two or more days per week on campus in Golden, Colorado.
Onboarding for this position includes introduction and integration with academic and research campus partners. It will involve training on policies and procedures, as well as technical training on the systems and technology required for this role. The onboarding period may require additional on-campus days per week.
Primary Responsibilities
Financial Analysis
Analyze and summarize campus portfolio budget and fund variances, along with producing monthly and annual reports explaining those results.
Develop scenario analyses that evaluate financial impacts of enrollment changes, state appropriations, research growth, compensation adjustments, and strategic investments on campus portfolio partners.
Support current strategic initiatives and campus projects, including preparing analyses and briefing materials for campus portfolio partners, including scenario evaluations and strategic or operational recommendations.
Develop a deep understanding of the financial data to measure benchmarks, explain the outcomes, and provide metrics to measure financial performance against industry trends.
Financial Operations and Systems
Manage a campus portfolio by meeting regularly and serving as a financial consultant for those leaders by supporting budget management, effectively communicating models, reports, and analysis results in writing, presentations, and other methods.
Work on continuous business process improvement, including writing and revising documentation along with recommending and supporting ways to improve business and financial services to campus partners.
Support the university budget processes, including annual operating budget development, implementation, monitoring, and fiscal year analysis.
Continuously enhance skills and abilities in Workday’s Adaptive Planning tool to implement efficient operations/business processes and refine modeling…