The client is seeking a dynamic and experienced executive leader for the Senior Vice President and Vice President for Finance and Administration/CFO role. This position serves as a key strategic advisor to the President and governing board and leads the Division of Finance and Administration, which includes financial planning, controller and treasury operations, budgeting, business and financial/auxiliary services, procurement services, and human resources. The role is part of the President’s leadership team and is expected to ensure that available resources are aligned to the organization’s mission as a land-grant, research university and a top public HBCU.
Key responsibilities include advising the President and board on financial strategy, multi-year forecasting, revenue generation, debt capacity, liquidity, and enterprise risk, as well as preparing financial materials for board committee review. The leader will coordinate cross-functionally with academic and research-related partners on resource planning, cost policy, compensation strategy, and post-award grant financial compliance. The role also leads the development of annual operating budgets, enhances business processes for efficiency and cost effectiveness, and supports a data-driven culture by leveraging technology; it further focuses on maintaining strong service levels through ongoing monitoring, accountability, and recognition programs.
The Senior Vice President/CFO will oversee university financial management, including fiscal policies and procedures; direct financial planning, forecasting, scenario modeling, performance dashboards, unit budget reviews, and cost containment initiatives; and develop and implement a comprehensive multi-year financial model to guide strategic decision-making. The position manages accounting, financial reporting, and internal control systems consistent with applicable public-sector standards, supports clean external audits, and tracks budget-to-actual performance while identifying lead indicators for potential risks. Additional responsibilities include ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting to relevant governance and state/federal stakeholders, strengthening transparency and internal controls to improve compliance and inform strategy, and managing treasury and cash-related functions, including cash, banking, short-term investments, working capital, and oversight of debt-related responsibilities.