The University of Arizona’s Athletics Department is dedicated to excellence in collegiate sports, building a modern model of intercollegiate athletics that fosters integrity, innovation, and student-athlete success. This posting is for the Financial Analyst I role within Administration and Athletics, and it has been updated to fill two positions instead of one.
Location: Tucson Campus, 1 National Championship Drive, Tucson, AZ 85721
Employment Type: Full-time, exempt (FLSA), 1.0 FTE
Hours: 40+ hours per week, including nights and weekends as needed
Vacancies: 2
Visa Sponsorship: Not available for this position
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Analyze and prepare recommendations for short-term financial planning and forecasting
- Conduct ad hoc budget analysis to support accurate financial reporting
- Monitor the Athletics Department’s performance against budget and financial targets
- Assist in completing financial reports for Arizona Athletics
- Compile, interpret, and evaluate data from various sources through basic research and data analysis
- Assist in preparing regular financial data for departmental units
- Generate reports on departmental expenses and revenues
- Assist with financial forecasting and the reconciliation of internal accounts
- Accurately record and store financial information
- Assist with completing required financial reporting, including the Federal EADA Report, NCAA/AUP Report, NCAA Bowl Report, and UBIT
- Serve as one of the points of contact during external audits
- Assist in coordinating programs and projects under the guidance of leadership
- Maintain budget accountability
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent advanced learning attained through experience
- One year of relevant work experience
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and travel as needed
- Must pass a name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience working in a college or university athletics department
- Experience developing, managing, and monitoring budgets
SKILLS REQUIRED
- Ability to work independently, take initiative, and stay highly organized
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Ability to collaborate effectively with Athletics Department staff, administrators, and external partners
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive and confidential information
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects with attention to detail while meeting deadlines
- Ability to lead and facilitate group meetings
- Knowledge of accounting principles and financial management practices
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Suite, and other relevant software
- Basic knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations
SALARY & BENEFITS
Pay: Rate of pay is DOE (depends on experience), with compensation set at Grade 7 and salaried at 1.0 full-time equivalency. The University of Arizona considers factors such as role responsibilities, a candidate’s experience, education, skills, and internal equity when determining an offer.
Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance plans
- Life insurance and disability programs
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
- Tuition reduction at U of A, ASU, and NAU for employees and qualified family members
- Retirement plans
- Access to U of A recreation and cultural activities
- Recognition as an institution with innovative work-life programs
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This role sits within the Athletics Department’s Administration division, supporting the financial operations of a major collegiate sports program. The position requires a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and travel, reflecting the operational rhythm of athletics departments around competition schedules. The role also involves close collaboration with departmental leadership, staff, and external partners, and may require acting as a point of contact during external audits.
COMMON DUTIES
- Preparing and reviewing financial reports for departmental and NCAA compliance purposes
- Monitoring departmental spending against approved budgets
- Supporting audits and reconciliations of internal accounts
- Analyzing historical financial data to project trends and inform budgeting decisions
- Coordinating with departmental leaders on assigned programs and projects
- Maintaining accurate financial records in line with university and NCAA standards
APPLICATION TIPS
- Submit a resume, cover letter, and the required additional document answering the application’s specific questions, since all three are mandatory
- Be ready to speak to your understanding of NCAA and Big 12 rules and regulations, particularly around recruitment, as this is directly addressed in the application questions
- Disclose any history of working or volunteering with high school or college student-athletes since 2015, as required
- Review NCAA Bylaws 11.4.2 through 11.4.4.2 before applying, since applicants are asked to affirm they’ve read and understood them
- Answer honestly regarding any personal association with a prospective student-athlete in men’s basketball, women’s basketball, or football, as non-disclosure can make an application ineligible
- Highlight any prior experience in a college or university athletics department, or experience managing and monitoring budgets, since these are preferred qualifications
- Note that this posting is open until filled, so timely application is worthwhile
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How many positions are open for this role?
A: The posting was updated to reflect two vacancies instead of one.
Q: Is visa sponsorship available for this position?
A: No. The posting states that visa sponsorship is not available.
Q: What are the working hours for this role?
A: It’s a full-time position requiring 40 or more hours per week, including nights and weekends as needed, due to the nature of athletics operations.
Q: What salary does this role pay?
A: The rate of pay is listed as DOE (depends on experience), within Grade 7 of the university’s compensation structure.
Q: What qualifications do I need to apply?
A: A bachelor’s degree, or equivalent advanced learning through experience, plus one year of relevant work experience.
Q: Is prior athletics department experience required?
A: No, but experience working in a college or university athletics department, or managing budgets, is preferred.
Q: What documents do I need to submit?
A: A resume, a cover letter, and one additional document containing answers to the application’s specific questions about NCAA rules, student-athlete associations, and related disclosures.
Q: Will I need a background check?
A: Yes. The position requires a name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive).
Q: Who can I contact with questions about this role?
A: William Wheeler, Senior Associate Athletic Director and CFO, at wwheeler@arizona.edu.
Q: Is this job open on a rolling basis or until a set date?
A: The posting is open until filled, with an open date of September 22, 2026.
