Planning & Development Manager – University Finance

About the role

The Budget & Financial Planning Department seeks a Planning & Development Manager to lead institutional development initiatives and long‑range financial and operational planning for the university. Based primarily on the Beirut campus, the role works closely with senior leadership and external partners to align resources with strategic growth objectives.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee financial evaluation and development of new academic programs, research centers, auxiliary enterprises and revenue‑generating ventures.
• Prepare business plans, market studies and feasibility analyses to ensure rigorous financial and operational scrutiny before commitment.
• Manage the pipeline of development projects from concept through approval, coordinating cross‑functional teams.
• Develop and maintain a university‑wide project portfolio dashboard tracking status, financial performance and strategic alignment.
• Lead the creation of a 5‑10‑year diversified financial plan, integrating revenue forecasts, capital requirements and operating cost assumptions.
• Build and maintain comprehensive financial models for scenario planning, stress testing and sensitivity analysis.
• Collaborate with the Budget and Financial Planning Office to align long‑range plans with the annual operating budget.
• Monitor macroeconomic trends, higher‑education policy developments and peer benchmarks to refine planning assumptions.
• Coordinate capital planning activities with Facilities Management, IT and academic units, validating cost estimates and conducting financial analysis of major investments.

Required profile

• Proven experience in financial evaluation and development of institutional initiatives within a higher‑education or similar environment.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare business plans, market studies and feasibility analyses.
• Experience managing project pipelines and coordinating cross‑functional teams.
• Strong background in long‑range financial planning (5–10 year horizon) and capital planning.
• Ability to build and maintain detailed financial models for scenario and sensitivity analysis.
• Familiarity with macroeconomic trends and higher‑education policy impacts.

Required skills