Budget Director

Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University is seeking applications and nominations for a highly motivated and experienced administrator to serve as Budget Director.  The Budget Director reports directly to the Director of Business Services/Treasurer and has primary responsibility for the University’s budget functions.  This position requires strong financial planning and resource management experience and the ability to identify practical implications of new financial strategies. 

Requirements:

• A Bachelors degree in accounting, finance or other business-related field (Master's degree preferred).
• At least 5 years of recent applicable experience in financial management, with at least 3 years in a significant management role, preferably in higher education.
• Significant administrative and budgetary experience preferably in a higher education setting.
• Comprehensive knowledge of budget modeling and forecasting techniques.
• Ability to develop and articulate a strategic resource management plan.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to develop and deliver persuasive presentations to legislators, regulators and other constituencies.
• Creativity, vision, and sensitivity to the multi-faceted nature of a university environment.
• Ability to lead, organize, coordinate and supervise professional staff and impart quality customer service principles into the organization.
• High ethical standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinating and administering all aspects of programs and activities associated with the University’s budget.
• Coordinating the University’s budget process, including preparation and review of operating and capital budget requests, for the Board of Trustees, Illinois Board of Higher Education and the General Assembly.
• Supervising and assisting in the development, preparation and presentation of University budget materials.
• Preparing and analyzing summarizations pertaining to major reporting areas.
• Making recommendations to the Director of Business Services/Treasurer and Vice President for Business Affairs concerning budget related matters.
• Providing leadership in maintaining quality staff through recruitment, development and retention.
• Serving as liaison with faculty, staff and student users.
• Promoting a service oriented environment in the Budget Office.

Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Complete Initial Application: Letter of application, resume, transcript, a short personal statement addressing how the candidate meets the criteria and a list of five persons who can provide recommendations upon request.

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin January 14, 2008, and will continue until position is filled.  Invited on-campus interviews planned for April 21-30, 2008.

Contact: Nominations and expressions of interest should be addressed to:

Office of the Vice President for Business Affairs

Eastern Illinois University

600 Lincoln Avenue

Charleston, IL 61920-3099

Attn: Mr. Monty Bennett, Chairperson

Budget Director Screening Committee

c/o Ms. Julie Griffin

jbgriffin@eiu.edu

Start Date: July 1, 2008 desired; appointment date negotiable.

Affirmative Action: Eastern Illinois University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer committed to achieving a diverse community.

Background and History of Eastern Illinois University:  Eastern Illinois University is one of seven residential public universities in the state of Illinois.  Located in Charleston, rural community of 20,000 in east-central Illinois, the University is 135 miles east of St. Louis, 180 miles south of Chicago and 120 miles west of Indianapolis.  The 320-acre campus consists of 72 buildings, including 12 residence halls and 17 apartment buildings.

In a little more than a century, EIU has emerged as an outstanding academic institution with a growing reputation as a center for excellence in undergraduate and graduate education.  Its admission standards and its graduation and retention rates are the third highest among public universities in Illinois (after the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign).

Chartered as a teacher's college in 1895, the University has developed into a multi-purpose, public university offering superior undergraduate and graduate educational opportunities in liberal arts and professional studies.  At Eastern, all efforts are focused on providing a relatively small number of highly motivated students with quality, affordable educational experiences in a safe, nurturing environment usually found at private liberal arts institutions.  Senior faculty, rather than graduate students, teach the vast majority of freshmen and sophomore courses; and small classes promote student learning and satisfaction with the EIU experience.

The University's academic reputation is nationally recognized.  In 2007, for the eigth consecutive year, Eastern Illinois University was named one of the top Midwestern public universities in its class by U.S. News & World Report.

EIU offers 45 major courses of undergraduate study and a comprehensive range of master's degree programs. Degrees are offered through the Colleges of Business and Applied Sciences; Arts and Humanities; Education and Professional Studies; Sciences; and the Board of Trustees degree program.

Slightly more than 12,000 students, about 90% of whom are full-time undergraduates, attend EIU each fall and spring semester.  Although the University attracts many international and out-of-state students, most EIU students are Illinois residents, with nearly all of the state's 102 counties represented in its student body.  With more than 80,000 alumni, Eastern graduates have made significant contributions to Illinois and the nation in virtually every field of endeavor.  With 21 men's and women's varsity teams, EIU competes at the NCAA Division IAA in football and at level I in all other sports. University athletes provide an immense source of pride and enjoyment for the entire region.  EIU is a major cultural resource for Charleston, Mattoon, and surrounding communities.  A broad range of music, dance and dramatic presentations, art exhibitions and lectures is available on campus.  The Tarble Arts Center attracts more than 25,000 visitors a year. With more than 1,600 full-time employees and a payroll of nearly $106 million, the University is the largest employer in Coles County.

Link to EIU's Home Page

Link to Business Affairs Home Page

Other Helpful Links:

  Learn more about Charleston, Illinois
  EIU's Budget Office Website