Vice Chancellor For Budget & Financial Planning/Chief Budget Officer (Hybrid) - Financial Services

Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), a global leader in research, teaching, and patient care, seeks an accomplished financial executive to serve as its Chief Budget Officer. This individual will provide strategic leadership for the university's budget development, financial planning, resource allocation processes, and financial information systems, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and long-term financial sustainability.

Managing a $5 billion operating budget and supporting complex academic, research, clinical, and administrative operations, the Chief Budget Officer will serve as a key advisor to senior leadership, offering critical insights and strategic counsel on fiscal matters that impact the university's mission and global reputation.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Leads the development, implementation, and management of the university's consolidated annual operating and capital budgets, ensuring resources are strategically aligned with academic, research, and institutional priorities.

• Oversees multi-year financial planning, long-range forecasting of operating and capital resources, and scenario modeling to support sustainable decision-making in a complex, decentralized environment.

• Partners closely with the Chancellor, EVC/Provost, EVC/Chief Administrative Officer EVC/CFO, Deans, and senior leadership to evaluate and recommend multi-year financial plans and resource allocation strategies that support academic excellence, research growth, and institutional competitiveness.

• Develops, maintains, and enhances robust financial systems (Workday/Adaptive Planning), models, and planning tools that incorporate enrollment trends, research activity, philanthropy, endowment performance, capital projects, and other key drivers.

• Provides clear, transparent financial reporting and presentations to university leadership, the Board of Trustees, and external stakeholders, including ratings agencies and accrediting bodies.

• Guides the integration of financial planning with university-wide strategic initiatives, including research expansion, capital investments, and strategic partnerships.

• Ensures effective budgetary governance, internal controls, and best practices across all budgetary and financial planning functions.

• Leads, mentors, and develops a high-performing team of financial analysis and systems professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, analytical rigor, and service excellence.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment
• Ability to travel to various on- and off-campus locations
• Open to negotiating mutually acceptable terms regarding work location

Physical Effort

• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement
• Typically working at desk or table

Office Equipment

• Normal office equipment

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree

Certifications:

No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Progressively Responsible Leadership Experience In Financial Planning, Budgeting, Or Resource Management Within A Large, Complex Organization (10 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Public Policy, Economics, Higher Education Administration, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience with budgeting and financial management in a leading research university, academic medical center, or similarly complex, mission-driven institution.
• Demonstrated success managing large-scale operating budgets and providing strategic financial leadership in a decentralized environment.
• Experience within a top-tier, private research university or similarly elite, research-intensive institution.
• Familiarity with different resource allocation and budget models (e.g., responsibility center management, activity-based budgeting) and financial frameworks that support both academic excellence and operational efficiency.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate shared governance and work effectively in a highly collaborative, intellectually rigorous environment.
• Knowledge of Workday Adaptive Planning.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

No additional education beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Certifications:

No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Skills:

Budget Development, Budgeting, Building Consensus, Change Management, Collaboration, Data Interpretations, Decision Making, Education Policy, Endowments, Ethical Leadership, Executive Communications, Financial Analysis, Financial Institution Management, Financial Planning, Financial Reports, Higher Education Management, Leadership, Operating Budgets, Organizational Alignment, Research Funding, Revenue Growth, Strategic Leadership, Strategic Planning, Workday Adaptive Planning

Grade

G00

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University's policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Washington University is dedicated to building a community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment - fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.