Budget & Project Analyst

Come join Penn National Insurance’s world-class Finance team as a Budget and Project Analyst!

This position supports various divisions budgeting and outlook processes. The scope of the position includes the analysis, gathering, compiling and development of budget information utilizing historical and current data. The incumbent works with departmental/senior management during preparation and monitoring of the division’s budget. This position also compiles and presents data, utilized by others within the various divisions, to base operational or financial decisions upon. Additionally, the incumbent completes a variety of tasks in support of operational and strategic projects.

COMPETENCIES AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE BUDGET AND PROJECT ANALYST

Business Acumen

• Compiles annual budget information for assigned division(s), may include multiple locations or multiple budget centers. Some data is provided by multiple sources (i.e., Field/LOB Managers, Finance, Admin Services, etc.) to be compiled into database/systems for overall division budget.
• Project work may vary in role performed, length of project, and level of complexity. Typically, incumbent serves a contributory role within a larger project. Duties may consist of gathering and reporting on comparison of data to support a decision, such as data required for vendor selection or equipment requisition.
• Conducts analysis of historical data against current data, gathering explanations from others to explain anomalies for senior management review. Explores data to develop both insights and more questions for the business to discuss or for continued research.

Negotiation

• Provides revisions to prior views and assumptions based on new or revised credible data. Analyzes data quality and recommends improvements.
• Applies data to solve common business problems.

Results Oriented

• Maintains and reports on activities for the budget including support of variance reporting and outlook reporting.
• Correctly interpret financial department’s policies to research and resolve significant issues such as errors with chargebacks and accruals, as well as the distribution of assessments. Conduct expense analysis and identify trends for senior management. Develop tools and instructions to facilitate budget creation, monitoring, and creation of outlooks.
• Conducts data analysis in support of strategic projects.
• Compiles, manipulates, and analyzes data of varying complexity.
• Knowledgeable and proficient about what tools are available for data analysis and when they are appropriate to use.

Time & Priority Management

• Provide monitoring, analysis, and oversight on strategic project budgets and trending (i.e., controls and avoidance of overspends).
• Performs assigned tasks and objectives that relate to operational needs.

Decision Making

• Reporting for division results which includes gathering, formatting, and presenting data in an intuitive fashion (e.g., spreadsheets or graphs). Reporting should foster meaningful discussions of results by senior management or division managers.
• Effectively communicates analytical results graphically and via narrative. Follows best practices for visual display of quantitative information.

Embraces Data Analytics

• Applies data to solve common business problems.
• Compiles, manipulates and analyzes data of varying complexity.
• Knowledgeable and proficient about what tools are available for data analysis and when they are appropriate to use.
• Maintains an awareness of industry analytics and data trends.
• Shares insights and resources with team members.

Performs various projects requested or assigned by the Manager, Financial Analysis.

CORPORATE CORE COMPETENCIES OF THE BUDGET AND PROJECT ANALYST

Effectively Communicates and Connects

• Communicates and negotiates effectively with peers regarding work outcomes.
• Influences by making a strong case, bringing other people on the team to understand the presented viewpoint.
• Provides feedback and is clear when disagreeing with an approach; offers suggestions for improvement.
• Attentively listens and asks clarifying questions and paraphrases to enhance understanding.
• Build and nurture positive relationships within the workplace.

Customer Focused

• Identifies explicit and implied customer needs.
• Asks probing questions to fully understand business requirements.
• Develops positive relationships with customers by meeting their needs as well as incorporating their feedback.
• Responds quickly and takes action with high quality solutions that address needs and improve overall customer experience.
• Owns resolution of customer experience outcome.

Talent Development Mindset

• Discusses technical and professional development with peers to gain suggestions for further development.
• Actively seeks and act on opportunities to recognize peers for high performance.
• Stays alert to identify learning opportunities for self.

Demonstrates Adaptability

• Contributes to progressive thinking within the team by posing questions that challenge traditional methods or processes.
• Proposes ideas and suggests new approaches to tackling own work tasks and issues in a better way to drive organization success.
• Participates in and actively supports change initiatives and provide ideas to promote their success.
• Recognizes and manages an ambiguous work environment.
• Demonstrates flexibility in generating alternative solutions and recommendations.

Demonstrates Accountability

• Applies judgment in making decisions about own work and takes responsibility for actions.
• Demonstrates reliability by producing steady work results and delivering on commitments to team members on time.
• Takes responsibility for regularly seeking and applying feedback and actively learning from errors and setbacks.
• Understands the mission of the organization.

SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS FOR THE BUDGET AND PROJECT ANALYST

• Interacts with all levels of employees within their division and the organization.
• May interact with external organizations/vendors such as regulatory agencies and vendors.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE BUDGET AND PROJECT ANALYST

Education/Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, preferred.
• Continuing education in insurance related courses preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience in budget processing, to include expense and/or data analysis.

Technical/Professional Knowledge

• Strong problem solving, oral/written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills required.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, with focused attention to the accuracy and consistency of reported data.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of Oracle budgeting software preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of data systems to assist in obtaining and reporting data.
• Strong knowledge in creating and maintaining spreadsheets and other automated data storage systems, to include proficiency in Excel.

JOB REQUIREMENTS (as required by ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act)

• This position is primarily a sedentary position that requires occasional standing and walking throughout the office environment.
• Must be able to see and effectively use a computer monitor.
• Must be able to operate a computer, keyboard and applicable printers and other general office equipment.
• Must be able to access and enter information accurately using automated systems.
• Must be able to hear and communicate via the telephone and/or monitoring devices to both internal and external clients.
• Must be able to present information to individuals and groups.
• Must be able to interpret and apply concepts that may or may not be based upon established guidelines.
• Must be able to maintain acceptable attendance and adhere to scheduled work hours.

Only candidates from the following states will be considered for opportunities with Penn National Insurance: Alabama, Delaware, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin.