Senior Associate, Finance Policy and Programs

Position: Full-time state position
Location: Frankfort, Kentucky, with a hybrid work arrangement that combines on-site and remote work, subject to agency policy and business needs
Travel: In-state travel and occasional out-of-state travel
Retirement: TIAA
Compensation: $62,000 - $70,000, commensurate with education and experience
Retirement: TIAA
Application Deadline: Open until filled; however, preference will be given to applications received by July 6, 2026

Overview

The Council on Postsecondary Education is leading transformation in our workforce, economy and quality of life by advancing progress in educational attainment across Kentucky. As the state’s higher education coordinating agency, we champion high-quality, accessible, and affordable postsecondary opportunities that prepare students for civic engagement and sustainable careers. That’s why we are undertaking the 60x30 goal, an ambitious effort to raise the percentage of working-age Kentuckians with a postsecondary degree or certificate to 60% by the year 2030. At CPE, we believe that higher education matters – for everyone.

Function of the Position

Reporting to the Director of Finance Policy and Programs, the Senior Associate will support the agency’s financial transparency, accountability, and monitoring efforts across Kentucky’s public postsecondary institutions. The position works closely with Finance Policy staff, CPE executive leadership, and campus officials to monitor institutional expenditures, review financial reports, conduct financial health assessments, and prepare analyses and reports for agency leadership and policymakers.

The Senior Associate also contributes to broader Finance Policy initiatives, including policy research, development of the biennial budget recommendation, legislative fiscal analyses, and other strategic priorities of the unit.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Request, compile, and analyze financial data from postsecondary institutions in support of statutory and policy requirements.
• Oversee financial monitoring and compliance functions for the unit.
• Conduct financial health assessments, calculate Composite Financial Index (CFI) scores, and apply other analytical tools to evaluate institutional fiscal conditions.
• Prepare reports, briefs, and presentations for CPE leadership, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
• Present financial analyses and findings to internal and external audiences.
• Perform ad hoc financial analyses and special studies as needed.
• Collaborate with institutional officials to collect, review, and validate financial information.

Research and Reporting

• Assist with the collection, analysis, and reporting of finance data collected annually and reported to regional and national finance surveys.
• Produce research briefs, environmental scans, policy analyses, and other materials to support the work of the Finance Policy unit.
• Conduct fiscal impact analyses related to proposed legislation and policy initiatives.
• Coordinate with other CPE units and external partners to obtain, validate, and interpret data.

Special Projects

• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the Director of Finance Policy and Programs or the Vice President for Finance Policy and Programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, statistics, finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong analytical, written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex financial information and communicate findings clearly to diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public policy, political science, statistics, finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field.
• Experience working with education finance or public-sector financial data.
• Experience with federal, state, or postsecondary education policy, particularly in budgeting, tuition and fee setting, performance funding, or student financial aid.
• Working knowledge of GASB and FASB standards and financial reporting practices.
• Experience using Tableau or other business intelligence and data visualization tools.

Application Process

Interested applicants should submit:

• A letter of application specifically addressing the responsibilities and qualifications of the position;
• A current resume; and
• The names, titles, and contact information for at least three professional references.

Application materials should be submitted to CPE.HR@ky.gov.