Summary

The Budget Director is responsible for budget and accounting-related issues for the Department of Higher Education and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE). The Budget Director, under the leadership of the Chief Financial Officer, provides direction on the development of the Department’s annual budget request, funding recommendations for the public institutions of higher education, and on Departmental budget and fiscal issues.

Description

Supervision Exercised

This position supervises three (3) employees: three (3) Budget and Policy Analysts

Scope of Responsibilities

This is a management position responsible for oversight of the Budget Office for the Department of Higher Education. Positions at this level are responsible for performing complex, specialized, and diverse work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which may include department budget administration, program evaluation, recommendation and implementation of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, priorities, and standards. The work's duties require considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines.

Description of Job

Job Duties

The duties listed below reflect the different types of work that may be performed. The omission of any specific duty will not prevent the assignment of work that is appropriately related to this position.

Supervise members of the budget services team, continuously providing coaching and mentorship through annual evaluations and identification of growth and training opportunities that center the success of each team member

Collaborate with the Chief Financial Officer and members of senior staff to develop the Department’s annual budget request

Oversee completion of annual finance surveys for external research partners. (e.g., NASSGAP, SHEEO, Hanover)

Serve as primary contact for the Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) and Joint Budget Committee (JBC) staff in partnership with the Chief Financial Officer

Develop the distribution methodology to institutions of higher education of College Opportunity Fund (COF) and Fee for Service (FFS) funds/contracts

Collaborate with the legislative team to respond to fiscal note requests

Collaborate with the Controller, under the direction of the Chief Financial Officer, to build and maintain fiscally sound and responsible internal Department budget

Assists Chief Financial Officer in the creation, maintenance, oversight, and review of the state’s higher education funding formula

Create an annual indirect cost plan in partnership with the Department Controller and institutional Controller representative

Facilitate the CCHE Finance, Performance, and Accountability Committee meetings

Provide oversight of the financial aid functions at the Department, including annual review and approval of financial aid methodology and allocations

Coordinate completion of all OSPB and JBC requests, including Decision Items, Long Range Financial Plan, Requests for Information, Budget Data Books, and other requests

Oversee the completion of all budget and finance annual reports

Provide support to senior staff on finance-related presentations

Represent the budget and finance team at CCHE and other external meetings as needed

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in accounting, finance, economics, public policy, business administration, higher education, management or closely related field

Substitution: Four (4) years of experience in a related field can replace the education requirement of a bachelor’s degree

Experience:

Three (3) plus years of experience in the following areas:

Public policy development and implementation

State government or higher education institutional budget development, preparation, and execution

Supervision, including staff hiring, performance management, staff effectiveness, professional development and building team culture—including the development of personal and team-based long- and short-term goals

Licenses and Certifications:

Knowledge of:

Standard office practices, procedures, software and equipment, including the use of personal computers, telephones, Zoom, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook, and Teams)

State statutes, rules and regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines

Colorado’s budget and legislative process, state finances, administration and allocation of funds, budget planning and management

Higher education institution financial issues, the Department’s statutory authority, policies, standards and constitutional authority as it relates to higher education

Ability to:

Work effectively in both independent and team situations

Manage sensitive issues and confidential information

Think critically and apply reasoning and analysis

Take the initiative to solve problems in an innovative manner

Communicate effectively, both written and verbally

Employ attention to technical detail and accuracy

Apply time management skills to prioritize work

Establish and maintain relationships with internal/external stakeholders

Read and interpret new and existing statutes to identify the impact of proposed legislation on the department

Build effective relationships with other state level partners including institutional Chief Financial Officers

Provide excellent customer service

Supplemental Information

Physical and Mental Standards (Hybrid Setting)

The physical and mental standards described here are representative of those that must typically be met by employees to perform the essential functions of this class successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Frequently sit/stand at a desk for extended periods of time

Frequently move from one area/building to another and sit/stand during the course of a day/week/month for meetings

Occasionally may push or pull an object

Frequently use finger dexterity and operate a keyboard

Regularly lift 10 pounds and occasionally lift 25 pounds

Frequently use vision to read documents, view computer screens, and see close and distant objects

Frequently use speech and hearing to engage in conversation, in person, and over the telephone

If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquires to HR@dhe.state.co.us

Typical Working Conditions

The employee typically works in a standard office environment where the noise level is moderate, and the office has controlled temperatures. Works a 40-hour work week, either remotely, hybrid, or in-office, depending on the arrangement met during employment with the supervisor during normal office hours of Monday– Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Job duties may occasionally require working extended hours or hours outside of the regular schedule.

Notice

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. The duties, expectations, and actions listed for this role may change at any time with or without notice.

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Colorado Department of Higher Education is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our Human Resource Director at HR@dhe.state.co.us or call 720.264.8575.