Budget and Financial Analyst II

Engineering a world of possibilities

Join a Top-Ranked STEM University Driving Innovation

Colorado School of Mines—a prestigious public R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering—is looking for a Budget and Financial Analyst II to join our dynamic team in the Office of Budget and Financial Planning. With over $325 million in operating activity and stewardship of $1 billion in assets, Mines is a leader in educating top-tier talent and advancing real-world solutions for industry and society. As part of the Finance, Administration, and Operations (FA&O) division, you’ll help support our mission while collaborating across campus to ensure the financial health and sustainability of the university.
 

About the Role

In this key role, you’ll provide financial forecasting, reporting, and strategic analysis—primarily for Academic Affairs and select administrative units. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Budget and Financial Planning, you'll be a trusted partner across the university, contributing to high-impact institutional projects and helping improve budgeting systems and practices.
 

You’ll translate complex financial data into clear, high-level summaries, support financial planning for campus units, and help elevate Mines’ budgeting and forecasting capabilities.
 

What We’re Looking For

We're seeking someone with:

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities

• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills

• A detail-oriented mindset with the ability to manage multiple high-profile projects

• Experience in financial planning, forecasting, and reporting

• A collaborative spirit with a drive for continuous improvement
   

This is an exciting opportunity to join a mission-driven team at one of the nation’s most respected STEM institutions. This position may have a hybrid work location (in Colorado) and requires a routine on-campus presence. Mines provides dedicated professional development and training. Onboarding for this position includes training on policies and procedures, and technical training opportunities for systems and technology required for this role.

Responsibilities 

Budget and Financial Forecasting (20%) 

• Develop financial models to forecast future revenues and expenses

• Develop annual and long-term financial funding models for units in their reporting portfolio

• Aids in the development of forecasting procedures and leads reporting initiatives related to multi-year projections 

• Project mandatory costs

• Produce revenue projections for auxiliary areas 

Data Visualizations and Reporting (20%) 

• Draws from available data to develop digestible financial dashboards and reporting 

• Maintain and enhance scheduled reports based on campus feedback and strategic needs 

Financial Analysis (20%) 

• Analyze forecasts and reports to produce summaries for portfolio decision-makers and campus leadership

• Understand financial priorities and develop modeling and reporting to drive strategic decision making

• Develop a deep understanding of the financial data to measure benchmarks and explain the outcomes

• Provide metrics to measure financial performance against industry trends

Institutional and Department Projects (15%) 
Support current strategic initiatives and campus projects, including:

• Investigate and gather pertinent data

• Develop forecasting and modeling

• Develop operational data visualizations and reports 

• Summarize analysis for campus leadership

​Continuous business process improvement, including:  

• Writing and revising documentation

• Recommending and supporting ways to improve business and financial services to campus partners 

Portfolio Development and Support (15%) 

In addition to the forecasting, reporting, analysis, and project needs of a portfolio of both general- and auxiliary-funded departments and offices, this role will: 

• Manage this campus portfolio by meeting regularly and serving as a financial consultant for campus leaders

• Effectively communicate models, reports, and analysis results in writing, presentations, and other methods

Learning and Development (5%) 

• Continuously enhance skills and abilities in data visualization software, such as Tableau

• Continuously enhance skills and abilities in Workday’s Adaptive Planning tool, specifically data modeling and reporting

Other duties as assigned (5%) 

Minimum Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance, or related field. 

• 2 or more years of professional experience

• Experience using the Microsoft Office Suite, specifically advanced abilities in Excel and PowerPoint

• Experience in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, such as Workday and Adaptive Planning 

• Ability to learn and use complex financial, human resources, student, and other information systems  

• Experience working with large complex data sets, such as detailed transactions, employee information, student academic characteristics, and other database fields  

• Ability to learn and use data visualization software like Tableau or similar systems 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills 

• Advanced Microsoft Office Suite, specifically higher abilities in Excel and PowerPoint 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in accounting, business, finance, or related field

• Experience in higher education

• Experience in financial modeling systems like Adaptive Planning, or similar systems 

• Experience in data visualization software like Tableau, or similar systems 

• Experience with higher education budget modeling and financial reporting  

• Experience with higher education fund and cost accounting  

• Advanced foundational skills to master more complex structures, algorithms, and problem-solving techniques 

• Advanced communication skills, display professional presence in meetings and summarize communications at the appropriate level for executive audiences  

• Workday or similar financial system experience  

Total Rewards
 

$72,000 - $82,000 (annual rate)
 

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.
 

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

• Flexible health and dental care options

• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.

• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution

• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)

• Free RTD Ecopass

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

How to Apply

Review of applications will begin October 20, 2025 and continue until filled. Applicants must complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status) and:

• Upload a resume or CV

• Upload a cover letter

Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy based on business needs. References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.

It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at  hr@mines.edu or 303.273.3250 for assistance.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position. Contact recruitment@mines.edu with any questions about this opportunity.

About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 36 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2025).

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

That size – roughly 8,200 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.

And don’t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a community where our individual perspectives and experiences enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons.  Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.
 

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce. Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting