University of Missouri System - Kansas City, MO
posted 16 days ago
About the position
The Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (VCFA) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is a key visionary and innovative leader on the chancellor's executive team, responsible for budgetary and financial accountability, optimizing fiscal and physical resources, and crafting strategies to support the university's institutional priorities. This role oversees or supports all campus finance functions, including budgeting, procurement, accounting, payroll, and financial management, while ensuring fiscal and legal compliance. Additionally, the VCFA leads various administrative and support operations, such as facilities services, environmental health and safety, real estate, and university police, ensuring the smooth functioning of the university. Reporting to the chancellor and accountable to the executive vice president for finance and operations and CFO at the University of Missouri System (UM System), the VCFA not only serves as the chief financial officer but also drives improvements to the university's business model, operational effectiveness, and process efficiency, working collaboratively to meet the university's academic mission.
Responsibilities
- Lead the strategic financial management in support of the university's vision and academic missions, including overseeing the campus budget.
- Help create and implement growth strategies that generate new and enhanced revenue streams, as well as identify opportunities to enhance the efficiency and impact of the institution.
- Direct and participate in acquisition and growth activities to support overall business objectives and plans, including on-campus and off-campus projects.
- Enhance the student experience and support faculty and staff goals through a focus on the physical campus.
- Shape, drive and continually enhance the university business model, as well as an F&A vision and capabilities that meet the university's mission, create stakeholder value, and are sustainable.
- Provide financial leadership to the institution, contributing to the overall strategy and operational goals of the university from a broad business perspective.
- Model, evaluate and advise on the financial impact of proposed decisions, policies and strategies.
- Represent the university on budgetary and administrative matters with state government, UM System administration, the Board of Curators, private sector and the general public.
- Serve on the chancellor's leadership team and as the chancellor's representative on various state, local and community boards and authorities.
- Oversee and direct all campus finance functions, including budgeting and planning, contracts and leases, procurement and contracting, surplus and asset management, operations, accounting, financial management and reporting, cash collections and management, accounts receivable, payroll, purchasing, inventory, risk management, capital budget planning and analysis, and internal control for fiscal and legal compliance.
- Lead the administrative and support operations of the university, including Facilities Services, Environmental Health and Safety, Mail Services, Real Estate, and University Police.
Requirements
- A Master's degree in a relevant area and 10 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired or a Bachelor's degree in a relevant area and 12 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired.
Nice-to-haves
- A master's degree in accounting, finance, economics or similar area of study.
- An active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.
- Successful experience in higher education, but relevant experience outside higher education will also be considered.
- Proven expertise in managing capital projects and real estate development, including comprehensive construction management from planning to completion.
- Strong background in project financing, with a focus on public-private partnerships (P3s) and innovative funding models.
- Deep understanding of real estate complexities, including regulatory compliance, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
- Experience in assessing and managing the maintenance needs of facilities.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in academia, business and government.
- Experience with strategic planning and campus master planning.
- Experience and expertise in strategic, comprehensive, multi-year budget development and implementation.
- Demonstrated ability to motivate staff to provide a high standard of service.
- Knowledge and understanding of a shared governance system.
- Understanding of and commitment to the mission, vision and values of an urban research university.
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses.
