Job Details

Assistant Director-Budget Services

Position Number: 6857053
Location: Cheney, WA
Position Type: Business and Financial Management

Assistant Director-Budget Services

About Eastern Washington University:

Eastern Washington University, a regional, comprehensive public university with an enrollment of over 10,000 students, is one of six state-funded four-year institutions of higher education in Washington, each governed by its own board of trustees. As the regions polytechnic, we are recognized for our distinctive approach to hands-on learning that leads to in-demand careers. EWUs 300-acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 12,000 residents 16 miles southwest of Washingtons second largest city, Spokane. Eastern also offers programs in downtown Spokane at the innovative, energy-efficient Catalyst building, the SIERR building which is a hub for research, development and advancement of health sciences, and at Riverpoint, a campus shared with Washington State University. In addition, EWU programs can be found at select locations throughout the state, aligned with the needs of the community. Eastern contributes to the vitality of the region and the state through its wide array of bachelors and masters degrees in over 100 fields of study, as well as applied doctorates in physical therapy and educational leadership, offering accessible pathways to career success and personal development to students of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

Eastern Washington University has been recognized for its commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow and succeed by Colleges of Distinction, a nationally trusted resource guide for college-bound students. The honor recognizes Eastern as a 24-25 College of Distinction (CoD).

Money magazine recently named EWU as one of its Best Colleges in America 2024.

Tribal Land Acknowledgement
At Eastern Washington University, we are proud to recognize the land of the Spokane Tribe and other tribes that shared the land for fishing and trading. The Spokane Tribe, Coeur dAlene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Kalispel Tribe, and the Nez Perce Tribe are integral to the cultural heritage and traditional ethnological knowledge of the land.

Native American heritage is woven into the fabric of our institution, enriching our community through tribal culture, historical teachings, and tribal language, and is embraced daily by students, staff, faculty, and the Eastern Washington community.

At EWU, we are committed to reflecting on and acknowledging the historical injustices of genocide and the forced removal of tribal peoples and all our relatives. EWU recognizes and honors tribal sovereignty and government to government relationships with tribes.

From here forward, EWU will remain committed to supporting, honoring, and recognizing the Native American community and the dynamic contributions that are shared with our university.

Job Summary:

We are currently seeking skilled and team-oriented applicants for the following position:Assistant Director of Budget Services.

Under the general direction of the Director, this position manages daily university budget operations including planning, analyzing financial information, developing, monitoring and controlling budgets, and supervising and training office staff.

EWU is committed to supporting and promoting a workforce that is welcoming to all and encourages applicants of all backgrounds to apply for this position.

The salary for this position is $82,225 minimum salary (minimum) up to $110,251. Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience, and skills.

In addition to salary, the university offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and disability insurance and retirement. In addition, EWU offers generous vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays per year and fringe benefits, such as tuition waiver for employees and eligible family members, discounted EWU sports tickets, full access to our campus workout facilities at a minimum fee and free transportation through STA buses. For additional information regarding insurance benefits please see our Benefits page: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/benefits/insurance/.

Applications are open and accepted until recruitment is closed. Screening of applications will begin on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. A three-day notice will be provided prior to closure of recruitment. All materials will be held in strictest confidence; references will not be contacted until candidates have been notified.

Eastern Washington University provides an inclusive, equitable, and transformative learning experience, driving the pursuit of knowledge with affordable academic excellence.

Required Qualifications:

BA in Accounting or a related field.
At least four (4) years of full-time experience in a higher education or government sector budget, finance or accounting function.
Full-time work experience that demonstrates each of the following:
- Broad understanding of higher education budget and accounting practices
- Ability to use and apply a high level of technology to budget tasks using databases, spreadsheets and mainframe applications
- Superior analyzing, problem-solving and decision making skills
- Excellent oral and written communication
- Ability to maintain a positive working relationship with a wide variety of people
- Positive attitude toward process improvements and change
- Ability to model and provide positive, motivational, and professional leadership
- Willingness to continuously expand knowledge base
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced rapidly changing environment.
Demonstrated ability to apply a responsive and flexible approach that is supportive of the needs including universal access of our students, faculty, staff and the public.

Preferred Qualifications:

At least four (4) years of full-time experience in an agency-wide budget, finance or accounting function in a higher education or government sector position
Experience with internal budget planning and monitoring systems
Experience with large university or governmental ERP systems
Experience with governmental fund accounting or GASB financial reporting requirements
Experience monitoring, reviewing, and interpreting state or federal bill language
Masters degree or professional certification in Accounting or related field

Other Skills and Abilities:

Job Duties:
ANALYZING

Analyzing and resolving budget discrepancies and variances
Computing budget balance available
Estimating financial impact of potential decisions
Providing information to departments on financial issues
Generating reports as requested by Director
Reviewing budget plans submitted by departments for reasonableness and accuracy of assumptions
Analyzing university benchmarks for budget allocations
Preparing and compiling information requested by legislature and other external agencies or groups

Percent of Time: 25

CONTROLLING

Monitoring and enforcing annual budgets as approved by the Board of Trustees
Assisting departments in identifying financial options/alternatives within their approved expenditure level
Determining compliance with university budget procedures
Estimating impact of expenditure and personnel actions
Overseeing management of the position control processes and related budget modifications
Preparing, reconciling and monitoring university allotments
Reconciling budget and expenditure levels with state appropriation schedule.
Ensuring coordination of accurate and understandable external information

Percent of Time: 25

SUPERVISING

Guiding and training permanent staff in cooperation with Director
Assigning work and resolving employee issues in cooperation with Director
Evaluating employee performance in cooperation with Director
Managing daily operation of the office and taking the lead on urgent issues in the absence of the Director

Percent of Time: 25

PLANNING

Preparing revenue stream forecasts including budget and enrollment projections
Estimating budget balance available for year-end expenditures
Participating in preparation of universitys annual operating and capital budget requests
Participating in preparation of universitys biennial operating and capital budget requests for submittal to the state
Assisting in preparation of decision making materials for Board of Trustees and senior management

Percent of Time: 15

DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING

Providing continuous improvement in budget office services, processes and information availability
Increasing accuracy and timeliness of available information
Overseeing support functions provided to academic and administrative departments
Managing and maintaining the budget office Web page and information library

Percent of Time: 10
Conditions of Employment:

This position, during the course of university employment will be involved in the receipt of, or accountability for, university funds or other items of value, as well as the unsupervised access with the developmentally disabled, vulnerable adults or children under the age of 16. The offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion and passing of a background check prior to beginning employment.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa currently. Sponsorship is not available for this position at this time.

All new employees must comply with EWU Immunization Policy 602-02 and provide proof of immunity or vaccination to MMR before beginning work at EWU. Waivers for the immunization requirements are available for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs.

This is an Administrative Exempt position and is covered by EWU Policy 406- 01, Exempt Employment: https://inside.ewu.edu/policies/knowledge-base/ewu-406-01-exempt-employment/

After starting employment, employees will complete the required training via Canvas. The Office of Employee Belonging, Development, and Leadership will reach out to you concerning Workplace Belonging training.

Note: Interviews might be conducted via Zoom (camera must be enabled). If so, candidates must be able to demonstrate competence using Zoom and other technologies.

Salary Information:

The salary for this position is $82,225 (minimum) up to $110,251. Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience, and skills.

Posting Date: 01/15/2026
Open Until Further Notice: Yes
Closing Date:
Screening to Begin: 01/28/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Submit your application materials through our online applications portal provided below. If you are unable to submit through the applicant portal, please contact Human Resources Services at (509) 359-2381.

To apply, visit https://jobs.hr.ewu.edu/postings/14347