Budget Performance Analysis, Assistant Manager

About the Role

The Management and Budget Department (“MBD”)—located in the Chief Financial 
Officer’s finance suite—is a collaborative team of approximately 25 team members who: 
1) coordinates the development and consolidation of the agency’s annual $9.4+ billion 
Budget to ensure sound fiscal stewardship of the agency’s resources;

2) leads monthly financial performance reviews and analyses to ensure appropriate use of the agency’s resources;

3) analyzes and reviews resource requests to ensure their highest and best
use; and,

4) manages and operates the agency’s enterprise budgeting system 
BudgetPro, including the associated Smart View Excel-based add-on.

As part of the MBD team you will gain an in-depth knowledge of the agency’s financial structure and processes, as well as knowledge of the operations of various lines of business, ultimately providing you with extensive opportunities for a long-term career at the Port Authority. We value collaboration, innovation, and a continuous improvement mindset to ensure that we provide the agency with a best-in-class Budget and financial reporting.

The Assistant Manager of MBD’s Budget Performance & Analysis (“BPA”) division will be responsible for closely collaborating with BPA’s General Manager in the operations and leadership of the BPA team.

Broadly, BPA is responsible for:

 1)      Serving as the centralized corporate financial resource for each Department across the agency, and particularly for the finance teams in the Line and major Staff Departments;

2)      Leading the review, analysis, and validation of the agency's annual Budget, including both Operating Expenses and Gross Operating Revenues;

3)      Overseeing the analysis and vetting of monthly financial and overtime hour results across the agency and facilitating the development of offset plans as needed;

4)      Coordinating the evaluation of all agency resource requests—including third-party contract authorizations, agency headcount, and vehicle requests—to ensure the optimal use of agency resources; and,

5)      Completing data-driven and cost-benefit analyses of agency operations, headcount, and financial resources to optimize funding and resource allocations to ensure their viability and cost-effectiveness.

The Assistant Manager will directly report to BPA’s General Manager with responsibility for executing these core responsibilities while directly supporting the development, engagement, and management of BPA’s 12-person team with delving into the details to complete analyses and recommendations, problem solve, provide clarity, guidance, and mentorship, and advance their own work products as required. To accomplish this, the Assistant Manager will require exceptional time management and organizational skills, adaptability and flexibility, and a collaborative mindset as they support not only BPA, but both operational and financial staff and leadership across the agency.

Responsibilities

 Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Closely collaborating with BPA’s General Manager and MBD leadership in leading the BPA team and creating an engaged and supported workforce to advance MBD’s ambitions to be a “Department of Choice”;

• Directly supervising assigned staff members, including supporting employee engagement, leadership development, and creating an inclusive work environment;
• Working with the BPA team to meet priorities and deadlines as well as providing coverage for BPA vacancies and leaves as needed;
• Coordinating the analysis, development, and consolidation of monthly financial results and corresponding executive leadership memos;
• Supporting the BPA team in the analysis, review, and validation of Department Budget submissions to ensure compliance with agency goals, Targets, and standards, including coordinating offsets as required;
• Managing MBD’s evaluation of agency resource requests to ensure the optimal use of the agency’s resources;

• In close coordination with the BPA team and required staff across the agency, evaluating requests for incremental funding by completing detailed analyses and facilitating discussions to ultimately make a recommendation to leadership;
• Facilitating continuous improvement and innovation efforts to advance workload efficiencies and provide greater data-driven insights, particularly through technologies including advanced Excel modeling, PowerBI, and Visier; and,

• Working on cross functional teams on RFP Committees, cost benefit analyses, and other assignments as required. 

Minimum Qualifications

Who We’re Looking For You’ll need to have…

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Finance, Accounting, or a related field and 6 years experience in performing complex financial analyses, budgeting and/or accounting or a minimum of 10 years of experience in performing complex financial analysis, budgeting, and/or accounting;
• A minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience directly supervising and leading a team of employees, contractors, and/or consultants;
• Exceptional data analytical skills with an ability to identify and analyze financial issues and ultimately recommend solutions or alternatives, including implementing robust quality controls and ensuring financial accuracy;
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills, with the ability to present and discuss financial information clearly and concisely to department and agency leadership
• Proficiency with using Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and particularly Excel basic analytic skills.

Desired Qualifications

 Even better if you have…

• A Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Finance, Accounting, Business, Public Administration, or a related field;
• Ability to lead, motivate, mentor, develop, and engage staff;
• Experience with the Port Authority’s corporate financial systems, including SAP, PeopleSoft, BudgetPro, and ICMS/Cognos and/or with database and visualization tools like Oracle Hyperion/Essbase, PowerBI, or advanced Excel tools (i.e. PowerQuery and PowerPivot);
• In-depth knowledge of Departmental operations and finances (including Budgeting and financial reporting process and accounting structures) at the Port Authority or similar sized organizations;
• Experience successfully developing and implementing process improvement initiatives for internal or external business processes;
• Proactive mindset with strong time management, multitasking, and organization skills, and a demonstrated ability to prioritize projects, manage time effectively, and work both independently and collaboratively; and,
• A customer experience mindset and curiosity to learn about the operations of the Departments that play a vital role in keeping the agency moving.

Selection Process

The application process varies by position, but typically includes an initial phone interview for qualified candidates, followed by a more in-depth interview(s) and/or assessment(s). Selected candidates who are made a conditional job offer will be asked to undergo a background check.

Compensation & Benefits

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey offers a competitive benefits package and a professional environment that supports development and recognizes achievement.

Click here for more information about benefits, our culture, and career development opportunities.