The client invites applications for the Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer (VP/CFO). The VP/CFO serves as the institution’s senior financial leader with broad responsibility for financial health, operational integrity, and administrative effectiveness. Reporting to the President, this executive provides overall leadership for budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, procurement, and related administrative services, aligning institutional resources with the organization’s academic mission and long-term priorities.
As a key member of the President’s cabinet, the VP/CFO will contribute to university-wide strategic planning and policy development. The role includes rigorous stewardship of public funds in compliance with applicable state requirements and federal regulations. Success in this position typically requires demonstrated senior leadership experience in higher education or a comparably complex public-sector environment, strong expertise in governmental accounting and financial management, and the interpersonal skills to build trust across a diverse campus community, including navigation of the regulatory and governance environment and a record of developing high-performing administrative teams.
The successful candidate will be expected to oversee the development and presentation of financial reports, budget proposals, and strategic plans to a governing board or equivalent oversight body. Required qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field, with an advanced degree and/or professional certification preferred. Additional requirements include a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible financial leadership experience, with a significant portion in higher education or the public sector; a track record of successful external audit outcomes; experience managing relationships with independent auditors and state audit agencies; and excellent written and verbal communication skills. This is a full-time, on-site role based in Petersburg, Virginia.