Budget analyst ii/iii, center for population health research

The Center for Population Health Research invites applications for a Budget Analyst to support personnel and financial management, accounting, forecasting, and reporting activities. This position works closely with faculty, staff, students, campus administrators, and external partners to support the effective management of personnel and financial resources. The successful candidate will establish and maintain productive working relationships, represent CPHR professionally, and perform assigned responsibilities with a high degree of independence and minimal supervision.

The position requires strong organizational and analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to interpret and apply University of Montana policies and procedures, grant requirements, and sponsor regulations. Depending on the applicant’s qualifications and experience, this position may be filled at the Budget Analyst II or Budget Analyst III level.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate personnel processes, including hiring, onboarding, offboarding, personnel records, and contract administration for staff, faculty, graduate research assistants (GRAs), and non-work-study students.
• Manage payroll activities, including biweekly timesheets, payroll processing, Requests for Personnel Transactions (RPTs), and faculty salary transactions.
• Coordinate with university departments and fiscal staff to maintain personnel budgets, process grant-funded payroll, and manage funding adjustments.
• Coordinate travel arrangements and related authorizations and expense reports; oversee Procard redistributions, purchasing, reimbursements, and other administrative transactions.
• Maintain grant and financial records in accordance with University of Montana and sponsor requirements; process requisitions, invoices, cost transfers, journal vouchers, and related transactions.
• Assist with pre-award activities, including budget development, proposal preparation, Cayuse submissions, and grant applications through sponsor-specific systems.
• Monitor and forecast expenditures for restricted grants; prepare monthly financial reports, track spending, identify discrepancies, and estimate unobligated balances.
• Support award management and compliance, including quarterly and annual reporting, other support documentation, carryover requests, budgeting, and Core Facilities billing and accounts receivable.

Position-Level Responsibilities

Budget Analyst II:

Manage moderately complex departmental budgets with minimal supervision. Maintain working knowledge of multiple administrative and financial functions to provide effective backup support and ensure continuity of operations.

Budget Analyst III:

Independently manage highly complex budgets across multiple departments and oversee an assigned budgeting function. Analyze financial trends, develop forecasting and budget management strategies, resolve complex financial issues, and recommend improvements to financial processes and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, or a related field, with two (2) to four (4) years of relevant experience for Budget Analyst II, four (4) or more years of relevant experience for Budget Analyst III or an equivalent combination of education and experience for both levels.
• Knowledge of accounting principles, standard office practices, and administrative procedures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to interpret and apply financial policies, grant sponsor guidelines, and applicable procedures.
• Ability to monitor grant expenditures, reconcile accounts, analyze financial data, and support budget planning and forecasting.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in financial recordkeeping and reporting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to establish effective working relationships with students, staff, faculty, and administrators.
• Demonstrated organizational, planning, and time-management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, exercise sound judgment, adapt to changing priorities, and learn new systems and processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree with an emphasis in accounting.
• Master’s degree preferred for Budget Analyst III.
• Experience with pre-award and/or post-award grant administration and financial management.
• Experience developing, monitoring, and forecasting budgets, including tracking actual expenditures against budget projections.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including developing and maintaining workbooks for financial tracking, analysis, and forecasting.
• Experience with payroll administration and personnel-related financial processes.
• Demonstrated knowledge of budget management practices, financial reporting, and account reconciliation.
• Experience with University financial systems, policies, and procedures related to grants, travel, purchasing, and contracted services.

Additional Information

Compensation Title: Budget Analyst II or Budget Analyst III Union: FOCUS-MFPE Work Schedule: Full-time, 1.0 FTE (40 Hours a week), Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 12 months/year. Probationary Period: Six (6) months minimum. Benefits Include: Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Screening of applications will begin after the closing date; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established. Complete applications received by the closing date will be guaranteed consideration. A complete application includes: Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable. Detailed Resume – listing education and describing work experience Three (3) Professional References – names and contact information Must be eligible to work in the United States upon hire. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

The University of Montana is interested in receiving applications from people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always”; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

The Affiliation of the University of Montana (UM Affiliation) is an equal opportunity employer. UM Affiliation does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM’s non-discrimination policy and any applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. UM partners with SkillSurvey for reference checking. Applicants may receive emails from SkillSurvey to submit reference information.

Testing: Individual hiring departments within the UM Affiliation may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM and all affiliated campuses, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). The University of Montana will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring. Due to the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation and related guidance from USCIS and the Department of State, the University may be limited in its ability to offer H-1B sponsorship. At this time, we are unable to sponsor new H-1B visas that require payment of the additional fee introduced by the Proclamation.