Principal Financial Analyst

Join Our Team and Make a Difference in Higher

Education!

At the System Administration office at the University of Colorado,

we are dedicated to building a workplace where everyone feels

valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our office is committed

to fostering a culture where employees find community, a sense of

belonging, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our

mission and purpose.

By joining our team, you'll have a direct impact on shaping the

future of higher education. In addition to the Office of the Board

of Regents, the University of Colorado's system administration

includes 19 units that provide essential services to CU's campuses

in Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver, as well as the

Office of the President. While not a part of any one campus, we are

proud to serve in the centralized office for the University system.

Together, we ensure CU continues to deliver outstanding education,

groundbreaking research, and valuable service to our

communities.

We believe in creating an environment where the unique experiences

and perspectives of everyone are embraced, enriching the work we do

and the strategic outcomes we pursue. If you're passionate about

making a difference, contributing to a dynamic team, and supporting

a mission that matters, we encourage you to apply and be part of

our journey. Learn more about CU

System Administration .

Position Summary

University Information Systems (UIS) provides technical services

and enterprise applications to the University of Colorado's (CU)

four campuses and the Office of the President. UIS is committed to

excellence in customer service, technical expertise, and the

development of enterprise applications responsible for supporting

CU's students, faculty, human resources employees, finance

employees, and others.

The Principal Financial Analyst supports UIS by providing financial

and operational support to all members of the department. This

position is responsible for working with the Assistant Director of

Business Services to manage IT Governance projects and other

project finances which includes but is not limited to generating

budget reports, providing data analysis, carrying out monthly close

responsibilities, and preparing and delivering budget

presentations. This position works independently and must have a

thorough understanding of the department, its budgets, and various

CU and UIS policies, procedures, and guidelines to be successful.

The Principal Financial Analyst is expected to build high-trust and

collaborative relationships with business partners, key

stakeholders, and take initiative to identify and resolve financial

and procurement challenges.

The Principal Financial Analyst reports to the Assistant Director

of Business Services and is exempt from the State of Colorado

Classified Staff System.

This position is funded through June 30, 2028.

Where You Will Work

Applicants must be Colorado residents or able to relocate to

Colorado within a month of starting employment with University of

Colorado System Administration.

This role is eligible to work remotely within Colorado and is

eligible for a hybrid schedule, working some days from home and

some days in the office at 1800 Grant St, Denver, CO.

Please note, leadership may adjust in-office work requirements

with a minimum of three months' notice before any change can be

implemented.

Equal Opportunity Statement

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all

applicable federal, state, and local laws governing

nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a

workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and

dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to

apply, including protected veterans and individuals with

disabilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not

limited to

Financial & Budget Management & Analysis

• Provide fiscal and operational support to UIS, which includes

purchasing, accounting, and overall financial management

• Generate custom and standardized financial reports and utilize

information to

• Track and monitor consultant progress on projects
• Reconcile financial transactions and balances to check

accuracy

• Ensure all financial transactions are recorded accurately,

timely, and according to UIS and CU policies at monthly close; make

correcting journal entries when needed

• Forward monthly financial data to UIS managers, directors, and

leadership; work with managers, directors, and leadership to

identify shortfalls, issues, and resolve discrepancies

• Consult and collaborate with budget managers to provide fiscal

forecasting and modeling to ensure appropriate and effective budget

usage of UIS funding and resources. Information and visualizations

are delivered to UIS and System Leadership for use in strategic

budgetary and operational decision making.

• Assist and/or lead in managing the budgets and forecast

modeling and report-outs for all UIS-related IT Governance

projects. This includes regular meetings with campus financial

analyst partners to understand and/or communicate updates on the

budget components of these large-spend projects.

• Work in conjunction with the Assistant Director to develop,

prepare, submit, monitor, and close out approximately $55 million

in UIS budgets based on long-term department objectives

• Works with team to develop various monthly and annual budget

presentations utilizing PowerPoint and Visio tools based on budget

and finance initiatives for leadership team

• Track licensing and contract renewals; work with UIS managers

and ADs to correct issues, ensure processes are followed, and track

costs against established budgets

• Assists in creating and supporting UIS chargeback models to

campuses for target programs. This includes but is not limited to

monthly charging, education on invoices, and annual reviews with

campus partners and UIS Leadership.

Purchasing, Travel, & Expense Reimbursement

Management

• Manage and oversee procurement activity for various projects

which includes oversight and compliance through the lifecycle of

the procurement process

• Collects and reviews procurement documents for compliance;

identifies issues and works with UIS employees, vendors, and the

PSC to resolve Coordinate purchases of goods and services from

requisition request through to the invoice payment; utilizes CU

Marketplace for purchasing and research purposes to include

purchase order (PO) creation, maintenance, and invoice

processing

• Work with UIS employees to collect documentation for expense

reimbursements and submit information using the

• Concur Travel & Expense System; reviews documentation for

compliance and works with employees to resolve issues; approves

deviations from UIS policy as necessary

Operational & Miscellaneous Support

• Recommend enhancements and streamline current policies and

procedures, including Business Services Service Catalog.

• Implement process improvements based on analysis and evaluation

of current policies and procedures in comparison to research and/or

finance and procurement best practices.

• Experience using Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven solutions

in support of customers and business processes

• Maintain current knowledge of generative AI technologies and

identify practical applications for improving workflows.

• Independently explore, evaluate and recommend new AI

capabilities to support operational efficiency and innovation.

• Serve as a back-up for the Financial Analyst and Assistant

Director, as needed

• Manage special projects and tasks as assigned

What We Offer

Salary: The anticipated hiring range has been established at

$87,000- $90,000.

CU System Administration takes into consideration a combination of

the selected candidate's education, training and experience as it

relates to the position, as well as the position's scope and

complexity, internal pay equity and external market value when

determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Benefits

With our unparalleled range of benefits, including

top-notch healthcare, comprehensive wellness programs, enriching

professional development, and a dynamic work-life balance, we

ensure your holistic growth and happiness.

• No-cost or low-cost medical & dental plan options, some

inclusive of IVF assistance.

• Disability, Life, Vision Insurance options.
• Multiple retirement planning options including a mandatory

401(a) plan where CU contributes 10% of your gross pay, a 401k or

403b plan and a 457 deferred compensation plan.

• Pre-tax savings plans, such as Health care and Dependent care

flexible spending accounts.

• Embrace a healthy work-life balance with ample sick and

vacation leave, along with at least 12 paid holidays. This includes

a dedicated week off for winter break.

• 6 weeks of parental leave to adjust to the joys of

parenthood.

• A tuition benefit program for you and/or your dependents.
• Free RTD EcoPass and free onsite parking at our 1800 Grant

Street Office.

• Many additional perks & programs with the CU

Advantage.

Additional taxable fringe benefits may be available.

For more information on benefits programs, please review our

Comprehensive Benefits

Guide .

Access our Total Compensation Calculator to see what your

total rewards could be at CU. (This position is a University Staff

position)

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Please include all relevant experience in your resume to be

accurately assessed against these qualifications. You must meet all

minimum requirements at the time of application to be considered

for this role.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher

education, or equivalent professional experience (professional

experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a

year-for-year basis)

• Four (4) years' professional experience in an operations

development, office management, or financial analyst role which

includes

• Developing and analyzing customized and standardized financial

reports

• Using enterprise financial software systems to complete budget

reconciliations, journal entries, and financial research

Experience in an outward facing customer service role

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's or post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited

institution of higher education in the field of finance, non-profit

management, or other related area.

• Six (6) years' professional experience as indicated above.
• General understanding of the University of Colorado, including

its organizational structure.

• Familiarity with University of Colorado systems and procedures

including Concur, CU Marketplace, PeopleSoft Applications, or

similar databases.

• Experience managing a budget(s) and providing financial

analyses is highly desired

• Experience in finance, non-profit management, or higher

education setting is highly desired

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

To be successful in this position a candidate will need the

following

• Knowledge of the business, financial, organizational structure,

and governance at CU

• Knowledge of accounting and financial principles, processes,

and best practices

• Analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to

examine data and trends to produce results

• Ability to prepare and present financial analyses, schedules,

and plans to a variety of audiences (e.g., verbal, written, visual,

etc.)

• Proofreading, grammar, punctuation, and formatting skills,

including the ability maintain consistency and be cognizant of and

address details

• Ability to navigate a complex political environment and to

establish and maintain partnerships with a variety of internal and

external constituencies

• Oral, written, and listening communication skills, including

the ability to accurately interpret what others are saying and

convey messages, information, concepts, and details accurately and

clearly

• Customer service skills, including the ability to actively

listen, address customer needs, defuse tense situations, and

maintain an open, flexible, and friendly demeanor

• Interpersonal and collaboration skills, including the ability

facilitate interaction, communication, and teamwork between

individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and ages

• Computer skills, including the ability to utilize Microsoft

Office programs (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) with

advanced skills in Microsoft Excel to create and maintain complex

calculations and pivot tables, and provide evaluation

• Organizational skills, including the ability to set and meet

goals and deadlines, manage appointments, create schedules,

coordinate, and facilitate meetings, and make decisions

• Ability to learn and experiment with new software and

systems

• Ability to stay current with emerging AI technologies and

assess their potential impact on business processes

• Knowledge of AI ethics and data privacy considerations in the

workplaceAbility to work under pressure, manage concurrent and

competing tasks and responsibilities, and adapt to changing

priorities while maintaining personal effectiveness.

• Ability to focus on activities that have the greatest impact on

meeting work commitments

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and

reliable professional judgment, as well as collaboratively with a

team to achieve desired results

• Ability to maintain a strong work ethic, positive

problem-solving attitude, and enthusiasm for the work

performed

• Ability to self-start and take initiative in completing daily

tasks and special projects

• Ability to handle and maintain sensitive and confidential

material

• Ability to maintain accurate and detailed records and record

keeping systems

How to Apply

For full consideration, please attach the following as separate

documents to your application

• A cover letter identifying the job specific minimum

qualifications you possess and interest in the position.

• A resume including all relevant experience to be accurately

assessed against the qualifications listed in the posting.

Please ensure you check the “Job Specific Attachments” box next to

each document on the “Required Documents” page of the application

for the appropriate documents to be attached.

Per the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, you are not required

to provide your date of birth, dates of school attendance, or dates

of graduation on your resume or cover letter. If an application

requires additional materials, such as a transcript or

certification, you may redact identifying information relating to

your date or birth, dates of school attendance, or dates of

graduation.

When to Apply

For full consideration completed applications must be submitted by

June 22, 2026 . Reference checking is a standard step in our

hiring process. You may be asked to provide contact information,

including email addresses and phone numbers, for up to five

references as part of the search process for this position.

• Please note: All application materials must be submitted through

CU Careers; emailed materials will not be considered. *

Sponsorship Statement

We are unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this

position.

Background Check Statement

The University of Colorado is committed to providing a safe and

productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we

conduct background investigations for all final applicants being

considered for employment. Background investigations include a

criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial

and/or motor vehicle history. The Immigration Reform and Control

Act requires that a verification of employment eligibility be

documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of

work. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and

equality in education and employment.

ADA Statement

We are committed to an inclusive and barrier-free search process.

We provide accommodations for applicants requesting accommodation

through the search process such as alternative formats of this

posting. Individuals with disabilities in need of accommodations

throughout the search process should contact the ADA Coordinator

at: systemhr@cu.edu .