About the role
Single Position
Single Position
View All JobsSr. Associate Strategic Initiatives (Finance and Administration)
Baltimore, MD, United StatesApply NowFind out how well you match with this jobAffiliated Office AddressBaltimore, MD, United StatesRequisition ID122486Date CreatedSeptember 14, 2026Job FamilyFinance & BusinessJob SubfamilyFin Planning & AnalysisJob FunctionStudent ServicesExempt StatusExemptShift TypeFull TimeScheduleMon - Fri / 08:30am - 05:00pmWorksite01-MD:Homewood CampusWork ModalityHybrid: On-site 60-89% of hours worked (Ex: 3-4 out of 5 days/week)University Student Services (USS) is a division of Johns Hopkins University supporting all ten academic divisions. The USS Finance team serves as a strategic partner across the University, leading finance and enterprise reporting for a broad portfolio of student-facing services.
USS manages a complex and highly visible operating and capital portfolio, including major initiatives such as the Housing and Dining Improvement Plan. The division supports a wide range of functions including Student Affairs & Auxiliaries, Admissions and Financial Aid, Student Health and Well-Being, and Enrollment & Registrar services.
We are seeking a Sr. Associate, Strategic Initiatives for a highly visible, high-impact role that serves as a senior advisor and strategic thought partner for USS leadership. This individual will play a critical role in shaping financial strategy and decision support by synthesizing complex financial data into actionable insights. The position requires strong executive presence, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence decisions across a decentralized, multi-entity organization.
A primary focus of this role is developing sophisticated financial models that support enterprise decision-making, long-range planning, capital investment evaluation, and strategic initiatives across USS. The individual will serve as a key resource for scenario modeling, forecasting, and business case development to inform executive-level decisions.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Leadership & Decision Support
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the Sr. Associate Vice Provost, Finance & Administration, and other USS leaders on financial strategy and initiatives.
- Translate financial and operational data into clear, actionable recommendations that influence executive decision-making.
- Lead financial analyses evaluating performance, cost structures, resource allocation, and long-term sustainability across the USS portfolio.
- Provide independent thought leadership on financial trade-offs, opportunities, and emerging risks.
- Represent USS Finance in high-level meetings with Divisional Business Officers, Central Budget Office, and University leadership.
Enterprise Financial Planning & Analysis
- Serve as USS’s lead financial modeling resource, developing complex scenario analyses and decision support frameworks that evaluate strategic alternatives, financial sustainability, and long-term impact.
- Oversee external consultants and third-party partners supporting financial modeling and analytical initiatives.
- Lead the development of integrated, driver-based financial models, multi-year forecasts, and sensitivity analyses to support strategic initiatives, capital investments, program expansion opportunities, operating model changes, and long-range financial planning.
- Evaluate funding strategies, financial risk, return on investment, and long-term sustainability for strategic programs, initiatives, and capital projects.
- Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and consistency of financial data, assumptions, and analyses used to inform strategic decision-making.
Reporting, Analytics & Transformation
- Lead the design and evolution of executive-level financial reporting, dashboards, and analytics, enhancing the quality, accessibility, and strategic value of information provided to senior stakeholders.
- Drive the adoption of automation and reporting enhancements using tools such as Power Automate and Power BI.
- Communicate complex financial and operational analysis into a clear, persuasive, and actionable manner for executive and non-technical audiences.
Data Strategy & Financial Systems
- Leverage enterprise systems for budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning, for advanced financial reporting and data extraction.
- Provide recommendations on data structures, system enhancements, and reporting tools to support complex, multi-dimensional analysis.
- Ensure high standards of data governance, accuracy, and usability across financial outputs.
- Support the development of analytical methods and tools that improve planning and forecasting support across the division.
Leadership & Impact Profile
- Operates with a high degree of independence, managing a portfolio of complex, high-visibility projects.
- Influences decision-making at senior levels without direct authority.
- Builds strong, trusted relationships across finance, operations, and University leadership.
- Demonstrates executive-level communication skills and the ability to distill complexity into clarity.
- Acts as a change agent, driving continuous improvement in financial processes, tools, and insights.
- Brings a forward-looking, strategic mindset to identify risks, opportunities, and emerging trends.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Exceptional analytical skills.
- Expert-level Excel, data analysis, and the development of scalable, auditable reporting solutions that support complex strategic decision-making.
- Ability to independently manage complex, large-scale projects from start to finish; proactively identifies solutions to challenges and gaps in information.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting to senior leadership.
- Advanced proficiency with data and reporting tools (e.g., Power Automate, Power BI) preferred.
- Strong attention to detail with a commitment to data integrity and accuracy.
- Advanced financial modeling expertise, including driver-based planning, scenario planning, sensitivity analysis, forecasting, investment analysis, and business case development.
Preferred Skills
- Demonstrated experience managing large datasets in a multi-entity environment.
- Demonstrated experience in strategic finance, financial analysis, forecasting, financial modeling, and complex strategic finance initiatives.
- Experience conducting scenario, trend, and predictive analyses to support strategic decision-making.
- Experience in higher education or similarly complex institutional environments.
- Strong familiarity with enterprise financial systems (Oracle, Workday, SAP).
- Experience with automation and data visualization tools (Power BI, Power Automate).
- Experience presenting complex financial information to senior leaders and diverse stakeholders.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree.
- Seven years of related progressively responsible experience in financial analysis, project management, and/or consulting.
- Additional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree (MBA, MPP, or related field).
- Seven Plus years of experience with increasing scope and influence.
Classified Title: Sr. Associate Strategic Initiatives
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PG
Starting Salary Range: $102,295 - $179,375 Annually ($165,000 targeted; Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Mon - Fri / 08:30am - 05:00pm
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Hybrid/Homewood Campus
Department name: Student Services Finance & Administratio
Personnel area: University Student Services
Total Rewards
The referenced base salary range represents the low and high end of Johns Hopkins University’s salary range for this position. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. Exact salary will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, market conditions, education/training and other qualifications. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/.
Education and Experience Equivalency
Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines: JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.
Applicants Completing Studies
Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.
Background Checks
The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.
Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
EEO is the Law
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf
Accommodation Information
If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at [email protected]. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit: https://accessibility.jhu.edu/.
Vaccine Requirements
Johns Hopkins University requires all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry.
The following additional provisions may apply, depending upon campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.
The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.
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How to apply
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