Budget Analyst III

About the role

• Where You Will Work:

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) - Office of the CFO is seeking for a Budget Analyst III. This matrixed position resides within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) and is embedded within UCAR's Community Programs (UCP). The position provides senior-level financial leadership and subject matter expertise in the financial management of sponsored research programs, integrating institutional financial planning and analysis with the specialized requirements of research administration.

Working in partnership with UCP leadership, the UCP Business Shared Services (BSS) team, and OCFO, the position oversees and strengthens financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, award financial management, reporting, and compliance practices across UCP Centers and Programs.

The position applies an understanding of the full sponsored research lifecycle-from proposal development and award acceptance through execution, financial monitoring, reporting, and closeout-to promote effective stewardship of sponsored funds, sound financial decision-making, and compliance with sponsor requirements and institutional policies.

The position serves as a strategic financial partner to UCP leadership and BSS, translating complex financial and award-related information into actionable insights, identifying financial and compliance risks, and developing consistent practices and controls across UCP. It provides leadership in the development and oversight of UCP's indirect cost budget, including forecasting Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC), and supports strategic and annual planning for the UCP Directorate and its Centers and Programs.

Within OCFO, the position partners with Financial Planning and Analysis to develop reliable forecasts of UCP financial performance, indirect spending, and MTDC generation and contributes research portfolio expertise to institutional budgeting, planning, and financial reporting. The position serves as a key connection between institutional financial strategy and the operational realities of sponsored research administration.

The salary range for this position will be $98,190 - $122,740.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a relevant academic discipline, plus eight years related experience, or Masters degree plus six years, or an equivalent combination of education and experience which qualifies the individual to perform the duties as described.

Sponsored Research Financial Management and Compliance

• Provides senior-level financial expertise and strategic guidance on sponsored research throughout the award lifecycle, including proposal budgeting, award financial management, forecasting, financial reporting, and closeout.
• Advises UCP leadership and BSS on sponsor requirements, award terms and conditions, financial risks, and compliance considerations affecting sponsored programs.
• Evaluates the financial health and sustainability of UCP research portfolios and recommends strategies to support effective financial stewardship and program decision-making.
• Develops and strengthens financial management standards, internal controls, and procedures to promote compliance with applicable federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and UCAR policies.
• Provides financial expertise for audits and compliance reviews and partners with institutional offices to resolve complex financial and regulatory issues.

Financial Planning, Analysis, and Reporting

• Leads development, monitoring, and forecasting of the UCP indirect cost budget, including MTDC generation, indirect spending, and resource allocation recommendations.
• Partners with UCP leadership and OCFO Financial Planning and Analysis on strategic and annual planning, financial projections, scenario analysis, and assessment of organizational financial performance.
• Communicates complex financial information to diverse audiences, developing actionable insights that inform leadership decision-making.
• Clearly and effectively develops and interprets financial analyses, forecasts, and key performance metrics to identify trends and anticipate risks.
• Establishes effective financial reporting methodologies and promotes data integrity, consistent reporting, and the effective use of financial systems across UCP and OCFO.

Strategic Partnership and Process Improvement

• Serves as a strategic financial partner to UCP leadership, BSS, and OCFO, translating complex financial and sponsored award information into actionable insights and recommendations.
• Leads improvements to sponsored award financial management practices, reporting, and workflows to promote consistency, accountability, and operational effectiveness across UCP.
• Contributes specialized research finance expertise to institutional budgeting, reporting, and other financial initiatives as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in finance, accounting or business-related discipline preferred.
• Designs and manages complex analysis for the planning and direction of leadership and evaluates budget and strategic risks.
• Exercises independent judgment on complex matters with broad implications. Responsible for making effective recommendations that are supported by UCAR policy. Makes recommendations for new policies.
• Solves complex problems using innovation and in-depth analysis. Requires integrated understanding of program goals and impacts of decisions.
• Receives direction from leadership.
• Defines job goals and objectives and works with considerable independence under broad management direction. Maintains confidentiality.
• Experience supporting a research institution, federally funded research organization, university, nonprofit research organization, or other complex sponsored research environments.
• Experience with federal research awards and contracts, including complex or multi-year agreements, multiple funding streams, and indirect cost recovery.
• Knowledge of indirect cost rate development, Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC), cost allocation, and the relationship between sponsored research activity and institutional financial planning.
• Experience with federal contract vehicles, including indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts, and the associated financial monitoring and reporting requirements.
• Experience with enterprise financial systems, sponsored project management systems, and financial reporting or data analysis tools; advanced knowledge of Excel.
• Experience partnering with central finance, research administration, compliance, contracts, and program leadership teams to resolve complex financial management issues.
• Expert skill in budget development and analysis, cost control and development of relevant statistics.
• Advanced knowledge of the Uniform Guidance and Federal Sponsor guidelines.
• Proven experience in budgeting and forecasting with direct and indirect costs in a complex federal funding environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to communicate complex ideas and information effectively using both oral and written presentations to a wide audience from different technical disciplines and backgrounds; experience working with senior leaders on complex financial planning and reporting issues.

Additional information

Submit all required application materials by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline. Only candidates with complete applications (including questionnaires, when required) will be considered.

We recognize that no candidate will meet 100% of the listed qualifications. If you believe your background has prepared you for success in this role, we encourage you to apply.

Candidates selected for hire will complete background checks and/or federal screenings.

Ucar offers a comprehensive benefits package

health insurance, dental, retirement plan, leave plans, tuition assistance, and employee assistance programs:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Short & Long Term Disability Insurance
• Generous retirement plan - UCAR contributes of 10% of base salary
• Time Off Plans
• Minimum 20 days of annual PTO
• 10 paid holidays
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• FAMLI Leave
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer

Additional Information

Visa Sponsorship: UCAR can sponsor H-1B status only for candidates already in the U.S. who hold H-1B status or another status that allows a change to H-1B within the country. We cannot sponsor new H-1B visas that require consular processing abroad.

• Compliance and Location: All roles must comply with U.S. export control regulations and work location requirements.
• Hybrid staff work on-site 3 days per week or equivalent, based on their flexible work arrangement.
• UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use: AI tools are permitted, but we strongly encourage candidates to submit primarily original work.

Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). We are committed to inclusivity and promoting an equitable environment that values and respects the uniqueness of all members of our organization.