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Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26104

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Laura Wilson

[email protected]

406-994-3683

Classification Title Financial Mgr

Working Title Budget and Fiscal Director

Brief Position Overview

The Budget and Fiscal Director provides leadership of the budget and fiscal affairs of the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station ( MAES ) and the College of Agriculture ( COA ). Duties include overseeing the College and MAES portfolio of funds, including budgetary analysis, forecasting, and related strategic planning for financial commitments for current and future years. This position is the primary contact for budgetary and business matters of the MAES and COA in Montana and federally in support of the VP/Dean and Director. The VP/Dean and Director is the budgetary authority for MAES funds- these funds are not handled centrally by the Budget Office. MAES funds are administered by this position.

Position Number 4M0577

Department Dean of Agriculture

Division College of Agriculture/MAES

Appointment Type Classified

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA Exempt

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible Eligible

Salary $33.07 - $41.34 hourly, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications

Contract Type Classified Salary

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

MSU was founded in 1893 as the Agricultural College of the State of Montana. Today, the College of Agriculture is an integral part of fulfilling MSU’s land grant mission serving the sons and daughters of our state. The Montana Agricultural Experiment Station ( MAES ) creates opportunities for students and faculty to excel through hands-on learning; to serve through campus and community engagement; to explore unique solutions to distinct and interesting questions; and to connect Montanans with the global community. The Dean’s Office staff works together to support this mission.

Duties and Responsibilities

+ Assists the Dean with strategic fiscal planning, including developing models for budget allocation, tracking commitments and encumbrances, and monitoring the College’s diverse portfolio of funds. Has delegated signature authority for fiscal and administrative management of the College.

+ Develop policy recommendations and documents for coordination and management of all matters pertaining to budgets. This includes the annual operating budgets for seven departments and seven research centers; annual operating budgets of MAES funds for the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, Governor’s Budget Office and Legislative Fiscal Division; financial matters associated with MSU business units; and preparation and submission of MAES biennial Executive Budget Request for the legislative process, and other ad hoc reporting as required by OCHE .

+ Coordinate with the central Budget Office and the Budget and Fiscal Director in Extension Services to develop, submit and monitor budgets, responding to requests for information and entering budget adjustments as needed throughout the fiscal year.

+ Coordinate with MSU Fiscal Shared Services, College HR Business Partner, and departmental financial operations managers to trouble-shoot appointment and payroll issues; track budget and expenditures, and enter budget adjustment entries to reflect changes in payroll and budget allocations throughout the year.

+ Works with Department Heads and their assigned financial management team members to implement the department’s budget, monitor commitments and approve expenditures.

+ Assists with onboarding and orientation of new employees and serves as the main point of contact to department heads and FSS staff related to budget management.

+ Develop plans and recommendations for the management of MAES real properties, including leases, easements, and use of plant funds.

+ Maintain federal financial reporting requirements for administration of the MAES responsibilities to USDA / NIFA (National Institute of Food and Agriculture) and serve as the primary contact for federal audits.

+ Coordinate state and internal financial compliance audit activities with MSU Audit Services.

+ Serve on the central administrative team for the MAES and COA with the Dean and Director, the Associate Dean, and Assistant Director.

+ Travel periodically to state-wide research centers and national and regional meetings.

+ Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate the performance of the Compliance Manager position.

+ Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

+ Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

+ A record of progressively responsible work experience as a program, operations or business manager for a complex organization.

+ Demonstrated experience managing complex budgets.

+ Demonstrated experience collecting, managing, and reporting data.

+ Demonstrated experience making recommendations based on data and strategic needs.

+ Successful experience supervising staff and mentoring excellent customer service.

+ Successful experience working in teams.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

+ Advanced degree in business administration.

+ Demonstrated experience working at a higher education institution.

+ Experience in or with a land grant university.

+ Experience with institutional policies and procedures.

+ Knowledge of the agricultural industry.

The Successful Candidate Will

This position reports directly to the VP/Dean and Director and is expected to maintain effective working relationships and regular oral and written communications with department heads and staff members within the MAES and COA , and with staff members of Montana State University, MSU Extension Service, and other state and federal agencies and organizations.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? Yes

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on September 12, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.