University Budget Director - Saint Mary's College of California

Another Source's client, Saint Mary’s College of California, is recruiting a University Budget Director to join their team in Moraga, CA. Internally, this position is titled: Director of Budget, Financial Planning & Institutional Strategy  

Here's a little about Saint Mary’s College of California: 
Saint Mary’s College of California is a nationally recognized, private Catholic institution rooted in the Lasallian tradition, committed to academic excellence, social justice, and the holistic development of its students. Located in the scenic East Bay hills, the College offers a close-knit, mission-driven community while maintaining strong ties to the broader Bay Area’s innovation economy. 

With a focus on transformative education, Saint Mary’s serves a diverse student population across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. As the College advances its strategic priorities, there is a strong emphasis on thoughtful growth, long-term sustainability, and data-informed decision-making - making this an exciting time to join the institution. 

Learn more about Saint Mary’s College: https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/ 

Why this opportunity stands out: 

This is an exceptional opportunity for a strong budgeting or financial planning professional who is ready to move from divisional or department-level budgeting into broader institution-wide leadership and strategy. Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President/CFO, this role offers direct exposure to executive decision-making, Board-level visibility, and the opportunity to influence financial planning across the entire College. 

Candidates will work closely with an accomplished CFO with extensive experience leading institutional financial strategy and transformation, making this an ideal next step for someone looking to expand their leadership scope and grow their impact within a complex, mission-driven organization. Higher education experience is welcomed, but not required. 

About this role: 

This is a highly visible, strategic leadership role at the center of institutional decision-making. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the University Budget Director will shape how resources are allocated across the College and play a key role in advancing institutional priorities. 

You’ll lead the College’s budget planning processes, oversee a $140M+ operating budget, and partner closely with executive leadership, academic leaders, and administrative units. 

This is a high-impact, director-level role designed for a hands-on leader who enjoys owning the full lifecycle of financial planning- from strategy through execution. You’ll serve as a trusted thought partner to leadership while also driving the work forward directly- building models, guiding decisions, and translating complex financial data into actionable insights. 

How you will spend your time: 

• Lead the College’s annual and multi-year budget development process, partnering with senior leadership, the Budget Committee, and the Board of Trustees  

• Guide strategic planning and resource allocation by evaluating institutional priorities and aligning financial plans with long-term goals  

• Develop and implement financial planning models, policies, and tools to support data-driven decision-making  

• Monitor budget performance throughout the fiscal year, providing analysis, forecasts, and recommendations for adjustments  

• Partner with academic and administrative leaders (including Deans and Directors) to support budget planning, clarify needs, and advise on financial strategy  

• Build and maintain financial models and scenario analyses to inform institutional planning and assess financial impact  

• Collaborate with Human Resources on salary and benefits planning, including position control and workforce-related analytics  

• Work closely with the Provost’s Office on faculty budgeting and long-term academic planning  

• Support executive leadership and the Board of Trustees with reporting, analysis, and insights on financial performance  

• Partner with the Controller’s Office on cash flow projections, reporting, and overall financial health  

• Serve as a campus-wide resource on budgeting policies, processes, and best practices  

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, public administration, accounting, public policy, or a related field  

• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in budgeting, financial planning, or related areas, preferably within higher education or a nonprofit environment  

• Strong experience developing financial models, forecasts, and complex analyses to support strategic decision-making  

• Demonstrated ability to lead planning and budgeting processes in a collaborative, multi-stakeholder environment  

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to translate complex financial concepts for diverse audiences  

• Proven organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment  

• High level of discretion and ability to handle confidential information  

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience in higher education or similarly complex institutions  

• Advanced proficiency in Excel and financial modeling tools  

• Experience supporting executive leadership and/or board-level reporting  

What’s in it for you: 
The anticipated salary for this position is approximately up to $180,000, commensurate with experience. 

Saint Mary’s College offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance, including medical, dental, and retirement benefits, as well as generous paid time off and access to campus resources. 

Explore benefits at Saint Mary’s College: https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/offices-services/human-resources/benefits 

Equal Employment Opportunity: 
Saint Mary’s College of California is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an environment free from discrimination. The College prohibits discrimination against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable laws. 

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.   

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