Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Central State University - Wilberforce, OH

Full-time - Executive

Wilberforce, OH

Educational Services

About the position

The Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) plays a critical role in providing strategic direction for the financial health and administrative operations of the University. This position is responsible for overseeing all fiscal planning and fiduciary operations, ensuring that the institution's financial resources are managed effectively and efficiently. Reporting directly to the president, the CFO is a key member of the president's cabinet and is tasked with developing and executing both short- and long-term strategic budgeting and financial planning efforts. This includes managing state appropriated, grant, and land grant funds, as well as developing yearly plans, annual budgets, and periodic forecasts. The CFO will direct the budget development process, allocate fiscal resources, and ensure fiscal accountability across the division. In addition to budget management, the CFO will provide annual budget reports and periodic financial information to the president and the Board of Trustees, assessing the financial impact of policy and operational issues. The role requires leading all financial audits for the university and its affiliated organizations, ensuring compliance and accuracy in financial reporting. The CFO will oversee all university financial operations, including daily payments, student accounts, working capital management, investments, debt issuance, and capital structure. The CFO will represent the institution in discussions with the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Ohio Office of Budget and Management, participating in statewide committees and initiatives. This position also involves providing administrative management to various offices, including Budget, Controller, Human Resources, Purchasing, and Facilities Management. The CFO will lead the centralized financial functions, which encompass monetary asset management, financial accounting, external audits, grants accounting, and financial statements. Furthermore, the CFO will participate in negotiating major contracts, managing the university's risk management framework, and overseeing insurance programs to ensure adequate coverage. The role also includes directing procurement processes to enhance customer service and vendor relationships, as well as providing oversight to human resources operations. The CFO will perform other duties as assigned, contributing to the overall success and sustainability of the university's financial health.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute short- and long-term strategic budgeting and financial planning efforts.
• Develop and maintain yearly plans, annual budgets, and periodic forecasts.
• Direct the development of the budget, allocate fiscal resources, and manage fiscal accountability.
• Provide annual budget and periodic information to the president and Board of Trustees regarding financial matters.
• Assess finance impact of policy, fiscal and operational issues; perform complex budgetary, management and financial analysis.
• Lead all financial audits for university and university affiliated organizations.
• Oversee all University financial operations, including daily payments and student accounts receipts.
• Manage working capital cash position, short-term and long-term investments, debt issuance, and capital structure.
• Represent the institution to the Ohio Department of Higher Education and Ohio Office of Budget and Management on budgetary matters.
• Report on financial results and key metrics against appropriate base comparison.
• Provide administrative management to the Budget, Controller, Human Resources, Purchasing, and Facilities Management offices.
• Lead centralized financial functions, including monetary asset management, financial accounting, and financial reporting.
• Participate in the negotiation of major contracts and key transactions relevant to the fiscal status of the University.
• Lead the evaluation and enhancement of the University's risk management framework.
• Oversee and evaluate current insurance programs for adequate coverage and compliance.
• Direct the assessment and implementation of procurement processes to optimize customer service and cost effectiveness.
• Provide administrative oversight to human resources operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible high level administrative experience or public sector finance and administration.
• Experience in managing fiscal, financial and capital budgets and projects.
• Experience managing Accounting, Facilities, Human Resources, and Purchasing.
• Extensive knowledge of state budget processes.
• Strong budgetary, financial and statistical expertise.

Nice-to-haves

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• MBA desirable.
• Extensive experience in higher education finance and administration as a senior financial officer.

Benefits

• Commensurate salary based on experience.