Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania invites applications for the position of Vice President for Fiscal Affairs & Chief Financial Officer. This role offers a unique opportunity to be a part of a dynamic institution committed to fostering academic excellence, enhancing student success, and driving innovation in higher education.
The university is seeking an experienced fiscal affairs leader with the management qualities to build on the institution’s reputation for innovation and student-focused approaches, leveraging the excellent reputations of its legacy universities to take CU to even higher levels of student success and financial sustainability. The exceptionally qualified and committed faculty and staff take pride in delivering outstanding academic and life experiences to students through personalized attention and small classes, all taught by faculty members. Students also benefit from the flexibility to leverage faculty expertise across CU’s multiple locations through innovative technologies that support hybrid modalities.
The next Vice President for Fiscal Affairs & Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will express a passion for the mission of public education and will understand and embrace the important social, cultural, and economic roles public education plays in the region and state. Equally important is the need for the VP & CFO to uphold the highest standards for intellectual inquiry and be an enterprising and collaborative leader committed not only to the success of Commonwealth University, but also to shaping the future of higher education.
The Vice President for Fiscal Affairs & Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for providing leadership, oversight, strategic planning, and direction for all fiscal affairs for Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, inclusive of the Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield campus locations.
The Vice President for Fiscal Affairs & Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as a key advisor and thought partner to the university President. The VP & CFO plays an integral role with the university senior leadership team and will lead the offices of: Accounting Services, Budget, Organizational Management and Position Budget Management (PBM), and Student Billing. The VP & CFO must be an accomplished strategic finance leader, possess the skill set to lead across multiple financial and administrative areas, possess the ability to communicate effectively in public, implement a broad vision for FA and the comprehensive fiscal plan of the university, handle many competing interests and details, and supervise a large and diverse staff.
Minimum Requirements:
- A master’s degree in accounting, finance, business, public administration, or a related field;
- Extensive executive-level leadership experience in the areas of finance/accounting and/or budget;
- Ten (10) years progressively responsible administrative experience in accounting, budgeting, and strategic planning in a complex organization;
- A minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience;
- A minimum of three (3) years of experience in a unionized environment;
- CPA/CMA is highly preferred;
- Substantial experience with strategic planning, including a readiness to provide leadership for institutional planning, and the ability to articulate a shared leadership vision and engage others in its implementation;
- Experience in effective servant leadership through strong interpersonal skills, including the capacity to actively listen and respond effectively, display eagerness to cultivate robust working relationships with colleagues across all areas of the University, and demonstrate an open communication style that fosters trust and mutual respect
Preferred Qualifications:
- CPA/CMA is highly preferred
- Executive-level accounting and budget experience at a public institution of higher education and knowledge of the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as they apply to higher education, are preferred
For full position requirements and description, including application procedure, please visit https://commonwealthu.peopleadmin.com/postings/2620. For full consideration, applications must be received by August 26, 2024. EEO Employer.
