Job Details

Director, Budget Operations, Planning & Reporting

Position Number: 6526459
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Position Type: Business and Financial Management

Director, Budget Operations, Planning & Reporting
Knoxville, TN, United States

Job Identification: 4829
Job Category: Financial
Posting Date: 08/29/2025
Job Schedule: Full Time
Locations: 1331 Circle Park, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US

Job Description
The Division of Finance & Administration/Office of Budget & Finance at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications for the Director, Budget Operations, Planning & Reporting. The Director, Budget Operations, Planning & Reporting is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and management of the UTK budget. The position ensures accurate financial reporting, compliance with regulatory requirements, and effective allocation of resources to support the university's strategic goals. The Director's key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, annual budget administration; Responsibility Center Management (RCM) model administration; ad hoc & Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) reporting; operational projects; capacity model; and EPM operational dashboards.

Responsibilities

Lead the annual budget planning process, collaborating with department heads and senior leadership on campus.
Monitor and analyze budget performance, providing regular updates and recommendations to stakeholders.
Ensure alignment of budget allocations with the university's strategic priorities.
Oversee the preparation of financial reports, including monthly, quarterly, and annual statements.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional reporting requirements.
Present financial data to the executive leadership, and other stakeholders.
Develop and implement policies and procedures for effective resource allocation and financial management.
Conduct financial analysis to support decision-making and strategic planning.
Manage the university's financial forecasting and long-term planning processes.
Supervise and mentor a team of budget and financial analysts.
Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
Provide professional development opportunities for team members.
Provide ongoing training and development opportunities to enhance the team's skills and knowledge.
Work closely with the business intelligence office, finance department, and other university units to understand their data needs and provide solutions.
Foster a culture of data-driven decision-making across the university.
Communicate findings and recommendations to senior leadership and other stakeholders through presentations and reports.
Perform other related responsibilities as required.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment visa status.
Experience: 7 to 10 years of experience in budget management, financial reporting or financial analysis.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Proven track record of leading initiatives and managing cross-functional teams.
Experience in developing and implementing strategies and solutions.
Demonstrated ability to drive process improvements and optimize workflows.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field or relevant certification (e.g., CFA, CPA, CBIP)
Experience in budget management, financial reporting or financial analysis within a higher education or public sector environment. Knowledge of University Tennessee policies and procedures.
Experience with an RCM model in an R1 public university setting.

Work Location

Knoxville, TN - in-person, on-site.

Compensation and Benefits

UT market range: MR17
Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
University of Tennessee employees are eligible for a comprehensive suite of benefits that includes:
Generous paid leave, accruing up to 24 days of vacation and 12 days of sick leave annually, plus 14 paid holidays and administrative closing days
Education benefits for employees and their dependents at UT System campuses
Retirement and deferred compensation plans, including 401(k), 403(b), etc.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
Employee discounts to attractions, services, and goods

Application Instructions

Interested applicants should submit an application with the following attachments:

Resume
Cover Letter
List of 3 Professional References
Any additional pertinent materials
Nominations and confidential inquires are encouraged and may be sent via email to Anthony Lanagan, Executive Recruiter, at alanaga1@utk.edu.

About The College/Department/Division The Office of Budget and Finance provides support to university administrators in developing and implementing short and long-range financial plans for the Knoxville campus. The primary responsibilities include the preparation of the annual budget and the monitoring and tracking of the financial status of the Knoxville campus.

About Us
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees-the Volunteers-who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

To apply, visit https://fa-ewlq-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/4829/?mode=location