Description
Position: Supervisor: Division: FLSA Status:
Associate Director of Financial Planning, Budget & Strategy CFO / Vice President of Finance and Administration Finance and Administration
Full-time Exempt
ABOUT CIIS
California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) is an internationally recognized leader in integral education. CIIS strives to embody spirit, intellect, and wisdom in service of individuals, communities, and the earth. CIIS has an enrollment of over 2,000 students pursuing degrees and professional certificates in a variety of academic programs in its schools of Consciousness and Transformation, Professional Psychology and Health, Undergraduate Studies, and our research centers and global initiatives.
CIIS is a mosaic of faces and philosophies, backgrounds, and beliefs. Like our faculty and staff, students are intellectually engaged and socially active. Each day brings new experiences that broaden horizons and hone critical thinking. Programs, both inside the classroom and throughout the University, inspire creativity, nurture community, cultivate curiosity, and foster social good. In addition, CIIS offers a dynamic array of events through its Public Programs, including conversations, workshops, continuing education, and conferences and hosts a vibrant art exhibition series. The University also provides low-cost mental health services to the San Francisco Bay Area through its 6 award-winning community counseling clinics. CIIS is accredited by the Western Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
CIIS strives to cultivate a culture of inclusion and belonging as part of its Seven Commitments. We honor and celebrate diversity of all types. Our diverse and inclusive culture brings us together in ways that empower everyone to connect, belong, and grow.
SUMMARY
This position oversees the institution’s financial planning and analysis (FP&A) functions, serving as both a strategic partner to executive leadership and a hands-on financial practitioner. This role stewards the university’s operating and capital budgets, guides resource allocation to support mission-aligned priorities, and delivers forward-looking analyses that inform decision-making across academic and administrative units. This is a hands-on role that designs and drives CIIS’s financial planning framework; leads annual and multi-year budgeting; develops operating and capital forecasts; builds and refines Key Performance Indicators (KPIs); and delivers succinct, actionable analyses that enable data-driven decisions aligned to CIIS priorities. This Senior Manager also fosters financial literacy, accountability, and technology adoption throughout the organization. There will be direct supervisory responsibility over other personnel.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting
Lead the annual budget cycle and monthly/quarterly reforecasting; ensure alignment of unit plans with institutional goals.
1453 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 415.575.6100 www.ciis.edu
Gather, validate, and consolidate budgetary and resource requirements; prepare trended requirements and multi-year operating forecasts (sources/uses, contribution margin, headcount, and salary modeling).
Create, maintain, and publish KPIs, metrics, and benchmarks across entities, programs, and departments; develop dashboards for executive and Board reporting.
Produce clear budget vs. actual variance analyses (monthly/quarterly/annual) with drivers, insights, and recommendations.
Strategic Analysis & Decision Support
Perform complex modeling and scenario analysis (tuition/revenue, enrollment sensitivity, program P&Ls, pricing, grants/gifts/endowments, user fees, and capital projects).
Exceptional analytical skills with demonstrated ability to interpret complex data, identify trends, and present insights through clear, well-designed charts, dashboards, and visual reports.
Write business plans and financial cases for strategic initiatives; quantify ROI and risk; recommend allocation approaches.
Provide concise executive briefings and “one-page” decision memos; facilitate tough, data-grounded discussions.
Partnering, Training & Governance
Serve as primary financial partner to budget managers: proactive outreach, office hours, and responsive support.
Design and deliver training on forecasting, reports, and enterprise systems to strengthen financial literacy.
Draft and socialize budget/financial policies, practices, and controls; advise on implications of proposed policies.
Reporting & Board Support
Prepare accurate management reports for leadership and as needed for the Board of Trustees and committees.
Create analytical studies and background materials on campus-wide resource topics and permanent budget management.
Data, Systems & Process Improvement
Improve financial data flows and reporting processes; champion automation and integration between enterprise systems for centralized, reliable data.
Define critical data elements, institute quality checks/audits, and maintain historical and consolidated datasets.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Maintain compliance with policies and procedures.
Maintain compliance with all state and federal laws and regulatory requirements.
Engage in and with the CIIS Community events, programs, and other activities as available and appropriate (if remote, participate in virtual hosted activities).
Perform other duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business, or related field (or equivalent
experience).
7–10+ years of progressively responsible experience in financial planning & analysis, budgeting, and/or strategic finance (higher education or mission-driven nonprofit experience a plus).
Demonstrated experience leading organization-wide budget cycles and developing multi-year forecasts and KPIs.
Alternate pathway: Candidates with 10+ years (or 15+ years without a bachelor’s) of directly
related experience in strategic planning/financial analysis/accounting will be considered.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Advanced degree (MBA, MPA, MSF) and/or professional certification (e.g., CPA, CMA) preferred.
Expertise with Higher Education Enterprise Systems, such as Ellucian Colleague and Syntellis Axiom (or comparable ERP/EPM suites).
Advanced Excel skills and strong proficiency in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
Proven ability to communicate complex, technical information to non-finance audiences; excellent writing and presentation skills.
Ability to respectfully challenge the status quo, influence senior leaders, facilitate candid debate, and drive consensus.
Strong organizational skills; ability to prioritize and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment; high attention to detail.
Experience designing financial training and job aids for budget managers.
SCHEDULE
Full time/40 hours week. Some weekend/evening hours will occasionally be required.
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
This position requires attention to detail, ability to work under deadline pressure, oral and written communication, and keyboarding for significant portions of the workday.
LOCATION
On-campus with flexibility. Depending on work-experience, work-ethic, and Ellucian Colleague knowledge, a hybrid work location may be considered.
WAGES AND BENEFITS
Salary based on commensurate experience with comprehensive Benefits. The salary range is $100,000 to $130,000.
NOTES TO CANDIDATE
Working Conditions - Duties are primarily performed in an office environment at a desk or computer terminal, typically Monday through Friday.
Background Check - Due to the sensitivity and requirements of this position, you should expect to undergo and be cleared of an employment background/criminal check, if extended an offer for employment. You may also be asked to provide proof of educational degree(s), licenses, or
credentials pertinent to the position. If your job requires driving on behalf of CIIS you will be required to provide proof of a valid driver's license.
Visa Sponsorship - Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer.
Relocation Assistance - This position is not eligible for relocation assistance.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY
At the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), we are dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging, guided by our Seven Commitments. We value the diverse experiences, perspectives, and identities within our community and strive to create and maintain environments that are inclusive, equitable, accessible, and welcoming for all.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer we are committed to providing an open, fair, and non-discriminatory environment for all individuals, in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. This commitment extends to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, and other terms and conditions of employment.
CIIS actively seeks to recruit and retain individuals who bring a broad range of cultural backgrounds, languages, and life experiences that enhance our institutional mission and values.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Screening begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Using the Apply Now link, please submit a Resume and Cover Letter online.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business, or related field (or equivalent
experience).
7–10+ years of progressively responsible experience in financial planning & analysis, budgeting, and/or strategic finance (higher education or mission-driven nonprofit experience a plus).
Demonstrated experience leading organization-wide budget cycles and developing multi-year forecasts and KPIs.
Alternate pathway: Candidates with 10+ years (or 15+ years without a bachelor’s) of directly
related experience in strategic planning/financial analysis/accounting will be considered.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Advanced degree (MBA, MPA, MSF) and/or professional certification (e.g., CPA, CMA) preferred.
Expertise with Higher Education Enterprise Systems, such as Ellucian Colleague and Syntellis Axiom (or comparable ERP/EPM suites).
Advanced Excel skills and strong proficiency in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
Proven ability to communicate complex, technical information to non-finance audiences; excellent writing and presentation skills.
Ability to respectfully challenge the status quo, influence senior leaders, facilitate candid debate, and drive consensus.
Strong organizational skills; ability to prioritize and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment; high attention to detail.
Experience designing financial training and job aids for budget managers.
