The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) seeks a collaborative, creative, innovative, and accomplished finance leader to serve as the campus’s next Vice Chancellor for Finance and Chief Financial Officer.
UC Berkeley is internationally renowned for excellence across all disciplines; for the opportunities it affords students of all backgrounds; and for scientific discovery, innovation, and cultural creativity. Ranked as the world’s No. 1 public university in most rankings, the Berkeley campus is home to over 33,000 undergraduate students and more than 12,800 graduate students as well as approximately 1,550 Senate faculty across 15 schools and colleges. Berkeley’s professors are highly distinguished researchers, scholars, and leading experts in their field, as attested by their many Nobel Prizes, other distinguished awards, and memberships in the most prestigious learned societies. The work of the campus is supported by an annual operating budget of $3.2 billion and an endowment of $7.39 billion.
The Office of the Vice Chancellor of Finance and Chief Financial Officer (VCF) provides exceptional financial, analytical, and administrative management to the University and campus partners. The office is comprised of the controller’s office, financial planning and analysis, and university business partnerships and services. Together these teams, along with the Vice Chancellor’s office, oversee university financial services and controls and provide accurate and timely information and analyses to inform campus decision-making in service of UC Berkeley’s mission of teaching, research, and public service.
Reporting jointly to the Chancellor and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost (EVCP), and sitting on the Chancellor’s Cabinet, the next VCF will join UC Berkeley at an exciting and pivotal time as the campus forges its path for the future under the new leadership of Chancellor Rich Lyons, whose appointment began July 1, 2024. Chancellor Lyons brings a spirit of forward-looking optimism and energy to leading Berkeley through its current financial challenges and addressing its abundant opportunities in ways that will transform the University into one that is thriving financially and setting a new standard of leadership in higher-education finance. Berkeley’s next VCF has this rare and exceptional opportunity to partner with the Chancellor and EVCP to make Berkeley financially thriving, by serving as a strategic partner, by bringing creativity and innovation to identify new sources of revenue, and by leading and managing a strong team of finance and budget experts. The VCF will also enhance financial central services to support units across campus and increase efficiencies and build effective partnerships internally and externally.
The ideal candidate for this position should have an exceptional understanding of complex financial operations, supporting both central and decentralized operations, and values continual learning and improvement; experience in conceptualizing, developing, and garnering support for creative financial strategies; experience managing risk effectively; proven success in leading financial teams at an institution with the breadth, scale, and complexities similar to the University of California, Berkeley; and outstanding skill as a communicator and collaborator. A proven commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and a deep resonance with the public mission of the University of California, Berkeley, are essential. The campus community is open to financial leaders from varied sectors; experience in public higher education and/or a research institution will be a plus. A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.
To be considered as candidates, applicants must submit, as separate documents, a resume or CV and a letter of interest addressing the themes outlined in the leadership profile, available at https://wittkieffer.com/positions/200456.
WittKieffer is assisting the University of California, Berkeley in this search. For full consideration, candidate materials should be received by January 17, 2025.
Applications, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to:
Suzanne Teer, Zachary Smith, Ph.D., and Kim Migoya
UCBerkeleyCFO@wittkieffer.com
The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is between $500,000 to $565,000. Actual base salary will be dependent on an individual’s relevant skills, experience, and qualifications. UC Berkeley offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, vision and retirement plans as well as moving, relocation, and housing assistance.
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values at UC Berkeley. Our excellence can only be fully realized by faculty, students, and academic and non-academic staff who share our commitment to these values. Successful candidates for our academic positions will demonstrate evidence of a commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and belonging.
The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct
This position is a sensitive position and is subject to a criminal background check.
Questions may be referred to Kristine Lee Wilby at kristineleewilby@berkeley.edu.
