Budget Manager

Budget Manager – Institute for the Study of War

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) seeks a Budget Manager to oversee its budget formulation, execution, and accounting. ISW is a dynamic, growing non-profit organization that is assembling a more specialized leadership team. The Budget Manager oversees budgets, financial transactions, develops the Institute’s departmental budgets, builds budgets for fundraising documents and new programs, generates reports, and ensures compliance with audit and business requirements.

The Budget Manager will run a non-profit budget model for a growing and dynamic organization. Responsibilities will begin with improving an internal process to reinforce accountability as we grow. The Budget Manager collaborates with key stakeholders to analyze, recommend, and evolve departmental budgets across the organization.

About ISW:

As the world continues to witness the devastating impact of armed conflict, the need for objective, real-time, unbiased analysis has never been greater. When decision-makers need information—from policymakers to humanitarian aid organizations to military leaders on the ground—time and time again, they turn to the Institute for the Study of War.

ISW has a unique, dual mission: provide real-time intelligence to help leaders make informed decisions in conflict zones around the world and educate the next generation of national security leaders. This work is carried out through the General Jack Keane Center for National Security and the General David H. Petraeus Center for Emerging Leaders.

Job Description

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Salary Grade/Level/Family/Range: Commensurate with experience

Reports to: Director of Operations

Work Schedule: Hybrid

Travel required: N/A

Summary/objectives

• Develop, design, present, and oversee ISW’s departmental, program, and project budgets in ways that enable the CFO and the President to make effective, timely decisions about resource allocation, fundraising requirements, and potential growth.
• Design effective budget models for ISW’s maturing departments and programs.
• Establish Quarterly and Yearly reports in alignment with key stakeholders for Board meetings.
• Analyze financial information (e.g., revenues, expenditures, and cash management) to ensure all operations are within budget and to facilitate decision making for by the CFO and President.
• Ensure all budgets and financial processes align with company goals.
• Collaborate with executives, project managers, and cross-departmental leadership to set budget goals and ensure they’re followed.
• Maintain records and report data in ways that support decision making by the CFO and President
• Evaluate budget proposals and financial requests for viability.
• Track results and comparing them to key financial targets; establish metrics and forecasts based on historical spending trends.
• Prepare cost estimates and plans, while providing necessary reporting, documentation, and financial assessments.
• Explain complex financial data clearly.
• Develop and maintain an accurate record-keeping system consistent with internal controls.
• Identify, flag, and analyze potential financial and budgetary risks.
• Provide financial summaries, reports, and recommendations as needed.
• Ensure all financial decisions and records adhere to legal regulations.
• Create and prepare detailed and accurate budgets to support new grants, gifts, and other fundraising opportunities.
• Assemble necessary supporting material and documents including budget reports.
• Assess Grant type (Restricted, Unrestricted, Time Restriction, or General Contribution) and conduct the initial analysis of the revenue type and allocation.
• Generate project-based budgets for existing, new, and growing programs in accord with President, CFO.
• Work with Management to record the allocation of staff time to ensure budgets are executed properly and reported on accurately, using parameters defined by the President and CFO.
• Assist in creating budgets for grant proposals, gifts, and other fundraising. Oversee reviewing and approving various expense categorizations to support project-based budgets.  

Required education and experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration or related disciplines and 5-7 years of nonprofit budget management experience.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to analyze and convey complex information clearly orally, in writing, and visually.
• Knowledge of fundamental financial management techniques, such as creating and maintaining budgets and financial reporting.
• Familiarity with and maintained awareness of GAAP.
• Demonstrated knowledge of non-profit budgeting and fundraising.
• A strong multitasker with the capacity to work under deadlines and with competing priorities without sacrificing quality.
• Excellent knowledge of the organization’s mission, goals, and overall operational priorities.
• Ability to collaborate successfully in a cross-functional team environment.
• Familiarity with relevant software
• The highest standards of integrity, honesty, and accountability.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.