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Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26234

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Noelle Child

406-994-4366

[email protected]

Classification Title Financial Mgr

Working Title Budget and Fiscal Manager

Brief Position Overview

The College of Arts & Architecture at Montana State University ( MSU ) is seeking a Financial Manager to provide strategic leadership in financial planning and budget management. They will serve as the financial expert within the college, advising the Dean on the availability of funding for personnel and operational changes.

Position Number 4M1428

Department Dean of Arts & Architecture

Division College of Arts & Architecture

Appointment Type Classified

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA Exempt

Union Affiliation

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible Eligible

Salary $33.07 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications

Contract Type Classified Salary

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

The Financial Manager is an essential member of the College of Arts & Architecture and reports directly to the Dean. This position provides leadership in developing the strategic financial direction for units within the college through comprehensive long-range budget planning and business strategy development. The role works collaboratively with school directors and other campus partners to support decision-making and to effectively manage and execute financial operations across the college.

Using data-driven analysis, this individual will provide financial insights that inform strategic decision-making and optimize the use of multiple funding sources. As a key advisor in the budgetary process, the Financial Manager will play a critical role in shaping decisions that directly influence the college’s financial health and long-term goals. This position requires strong organizational, analytical, and technical skills, along with a collaborative and solution-oriented approach.

Duties and Responsibilities

+ Provide strategic financial leadership for the college, managing and advising millions in resources from multiple funding sources.

+ Forecast, plan, and oversee the development of annual, semester-based, and long-range budgets—including internal budget models, revenue projections, and expenditure plans.

+ Work with the college units and BOMs to ensure compliance with the budget plan set forth at the start of the fiscal year and communicate variances for timely action.

+ Analyze financial trends and service usage – particularly in fee-based units – to evaluate fiscal impacts and support data-informed decision-making.

+ Collaborate with college units and HR partners to ensure alignment between staffing needs and financial resources, including oversight of position budgeting.

+ Deliver timely financial reporting and insights to the dean’s office and college units to support operational activities, strategic planning and accountability.

+ Serve as a key liaison for the college in central budget activities.

+ Ensure compliance with MSU and Board of Regents ( BOR ) financial policies and procedures while continually improving financial processes.

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

+ Provide ongoing training for business operations managers and school directors on budget and fiscal matters.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

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

+ Demonstrated competence and experience in development, analysis, and execution of complex budgets and long-range business/fiscal management plans.

+ Demonstrated experience in interpreting, explaining, and presenting detailed budget and fiscal data, both verbally and in writing, to a broad group of constituents.

+ Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Suite, specifically Excel formulas and applications.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

+ Experience working in financial based roles at a higher education institution.

+ Demonstrated knowledge in interpreting and applying institutional policies and procedures.

+ Ability to initiate, coordinate, oversee and complete various projects on own initiative.

+ Strong organizational techniques with the ability to manage multiple tasks and remain flexible.

+ Experience leveraging data from an ERP system.

The Successful Candidate Will

+ Exercise sound judgement and initiative in decision-making, while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.

+ Lead and collaborate effectively with different teams and stakeholders, demonstrating strong interpersonal and conflict solution skills.

+ Present complex financial and administrative information in ways that build clarity, transparency, and informed decision-making across varying levels of financial expertise.

+ Communicate clearly and effectively in both written and verbal formats, including presentations.

+ Manage multiple priorities with attention to detail, accuracy, and adherence to deadlines in a dynamic environment.

+ Utilize financial systems and tools proficiently, including spreadsheets, databases, and various reporting systems. Experience using Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook are preferred.

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.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

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? No

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date At the conclusion of a successful search

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on January 6, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

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.