Job Details

Director of Budget and Finance - UT Southern

Position Number: 6547875
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Position Type: Business - Finance

Director of Budget and Finance - UT Southern
Pulaski, TN, United States

Job Identification: 4981
Job Category: Financial
Posting Date: 09/05/2025
Job Schedule: Full Time
Locations: 433 West Madison Str., Pulaski, TN, 38478, US

Job Description
The Director of Budget & Finance reports directly to the Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration and has operational responsibility for the areas of Budget, Financial Reporting, Sponsored Projects Accounting, DASH Role Coordination, and Cash Management. The Director of Budget & Finance serves as part of the Finance & Administration leadership team and develops, prepares, analyzes, and manages the university's auxiliary, operating and restricted budgets and is responsible for their overall quality, integrity, and presentation. In addition, the Director manages plant fund accounting and capital budgeting, including the development of capital budget requests. The position supervises the Bursar's Office and the Business Services Office.

This position is responsible for all accounting, central finance functions as well as all aspects of accounting for restricted funds, grants and contracts, including recording budgets, cost sharing, F&A costs, billing, reporting, opening and closing accounts, setting up restricted funds accounts, and working with capital projects and plant funds. The position ensures that campus financial activities follow approved policies and procedures and assists and supports the Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration in maintaining budget policies, procedures and internal controls.

Responsibilities
35%

Accounting/Finance/Sponsored Projects:

Responsible for and performs the accounting and financial activities including monthly and year end closings, financial reporting, financial analysis, and reconciliations

Performs daily accounting processes, develops procedures, and ensures accuracy of all computer systems as they relate to the Business Office. Directs and supervises the work of the Business Office staff which includes Business Services and Bursar's Office Monitors and reviews restricted gift accounts to ensure compliance with restrictions, monitors balances, and works with UTFI regarding the accounting setup of gifts, grants, and endowments
Works directly with various offices at the State of Tennessee and The University of Tennessee System including Controller, Budget and Planning, and Audit and Compliance offices Performs all functions related to sponsored projects and effort certification
Monitors, reconciles and closes sponsored projects accounts

Reviews and approves grant proposal budgets and processes and reconciles restricted budgets as well as capital project and plant fund expenditures Generates restricted and sponsored projects accounting transactions to ensure that transactions are appropriate and in accordance with policy
Creates and applies receipts to costs in DASH projects as well as award set up and invoicing related to sponsored projects/grants for both federal and non-federal Provides fiscal reporting to the UT-System, State of Tennessee, state agencies, and accrediting bodies as necessary
Oversees cash management and cash controls for the campus

Work with the UT-System, Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), and others on interpreting the outcomes-based funding formula.

35%

Budget & Budget Development:

Primarily responsible for budget development for the campus, including coordinating, reporting and presenting to senior leadership and campus advisory committee.

Determines and records budget entries needed during the year for any adjustments needed for Proposed, Revised, and Probable budgets as well as transfer entries needed for year-end close
Develops capital budget requests
Develop long-term financial models and projections
Identifies sources of funding for operating needs and provides guidance and training on budgeting

Prepares reports for various constituents including, but not limited to, the UT System, THEC, and sponsored projects Distributes monthly departmental ledgers and works with departments to answer questions and resolve discrepancies Provides specific guidance on budgeting and financial operating needs
Advises departmental specialist and department heads on matters of fiscal policy, procedure, and activity Analyzes purchases for conformance to budget and compliance with specific requirements and restrictions Determines the adequacy and formulation of the campus reserves for fund requirements
Reviews and calculates the year end results of operations and prepares transfer entries needed for year-end closing

Prepares labor distributions in DASH to allocate labor costs to multiple departments and/or sponsored projects and verifies accuracy.

20%

Participates with the Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration in setting goals for the division and the campus Supervises the Bursar's Office and Business Services - contract administration, accounts payable, procurement.
Attends meetings as representative of department head and interacts with university administration to ensure activities are in compliance with policies and procedures Works independently on projects related to administrative areas of responsibility
Interprets, adapts, and communicates policies/procedures established at higher management levels to departmental staff Authorizes and approves expenses, purchase and equipment requisitions, travel and entertainment expenses, and other items Analyzes requisitions for conformance to budget and compliance with specific requirements and restrictions
Recommends distribution and allocation of general department resources

Acts as compliance officer for various federal, state, and private grants and contracts.

10%

Meets, communicates, and interacts with external partners, senior administrators, and managers

Coordinate campus DASH functions which include setting up restricted accounts, requesting fund centers, organizational units, cost centers, and fund accounts; processing security access, and troubleshooting basic DASH functionality Acts as Campus Coordinator for the annual UT System self-assessment of controls, evaluates internal control procedures campus-wide and works to ensure compliance
Prepare certain reports required by the Department of Education regarding non-financial aid grants

Coordinates directly with internal/external auditors and Federal/State agencies to interpret laws, rules, and regulations to ensure that all requirements are met Creates and maintains Transaction Documents in Elements (our student information system) required for posting by the Financial Aid and Bursar offices Prepares journal entries as required
Prepares and develops goals and measurements for the annual assessment reports for SACSCOC compliance requirements related to Finance and Administration Serves on the Fiscal Policy Committees and other campus and system committees as necessary
Perform other related duties as required

Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of accounting theory and generally accepted governmental accounting principles (GAAP)

Knowledge of the strategic planning process

Demonstrated skills in planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating
Ability to define work objectives, plans, and priorities to delegate routine tasks.
Ability to develop and lead successful teams
High level of consulting, problem-solving, and collaborative skills
Ability to analyze complex situations, and provide and implement successful solutions
High level of analytical and decision-making skills

Ability to monitor and report financial operating results within the context of fund accounting Ability to recommend new and/or revisions to University and Campus Fiscal Policies and Procedures Knowledge of UT computer operating systems and ERP
Ability to use Excel, Word, PowerPoint and financial modeling software.

Ability to create short and long-range plans and forecasts.
Ability to effectively communicate and interact well with a broad range of constituents Ability to work under pressure
Ability to multi-task and adjust to changes and deadlines

Ability to demonstrate strong communication skills (oral and written) and leadership skills

Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Management or related field required.

Masters of Business Administration preferred.

CPA or CMA license preferred.

Experience:

Possess the authority to make complex, independent decisions to ensure the financial goals of the university are met.
Decisions and quality of services provided have a significant impact on service delivery and legal compliance.
Supervisory experience required
Eight years of relevant, progressively responsible experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

About Us

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