Vice President for Administration and Finance/Chief Financial Officer

JOB SUMMARY

Central State University is seeking a strategic and visionary leader to serve as the Vice President of Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This executive role is responsible for the financial and administrative operations of the university, ensuring fiscal sustainability, operational excellence, and compliance with financial regulations. The CFO provides leadership in financial planning, budgeting, risk management, and institutional resource allocation. The Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer provides strategic direction of division responsibilities and ensures the financial health of the institution as well as oversight of the fiscal planning and fiduciary operation of the University through proper management, direction, control and coordination for all administrative and financial activities of the Division of Administration and Finance. The position reports directly to the president and is a member of the presidents cabinet.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute short- and long-term strategic budgeting and financial planning efforts related to state appropriated, grant, and land grant funds for the University.
• Develop and maintain yearly plans, annual budgets, and periodic forecasts; direct the development of the budget, allocate fiscal resources, and manage the elements of fiscal accountability.
• Provide annual budget and periodic information as necessary to the president and Board of Trustees regarding all financial matters.
• Assesses 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.
• Overall managerial oversight of all University financial operations, from daily payments and student accounts receipts, to working capital cash position, short-term and long-term investments, to 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 and participates in statewide committees and initiatives.
• Report on financial results and key metrics against appropriate base comparison (prior year budget forecast, in-depth analysis to prepare and present projection and deviations from plan).
• Provide administrative management to the following offices: Budget, Controller, Human Resources, Purchasing, Public Safety and Facilities Management.
• Provide overall leadership and management responsibility for the centralized financial functions, including, but not limited to, monetary asset management (cash management), financial accounting, financial reporting, external audit, grants accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets accounting, capital budgets, and financial statements.
• Lead capital planning process and the development of the campus master plan to ensure long-term sustainability and optimization of campus infrastructure.
• Participate and collaborate in the negotiation of major contracts for services, lease of property or facilities, major construction and renovation projects with diverse vendors, sale or purchase of real estate, and other key transactions relevant to the fiscal status of the University.
• Lead the evaluation and enhancement of the Universitys risk management framework, identify and mitigate financial risks.
• Oversee and evaluate current insurance programs, ensure adequate coverage and compliance.
• Direct the assessment and implementation of procurement processes to optimize customer service, process efficiency, cost effectiveness, and vendor relationships.
• Provide administrative oversight of human resources operations.
• Perform other duties assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Excellent interpersonal relationships with all internal and external stakeholders, staff, faculty, students, professional colleagues and others within the community.
Excellent communication skills both verbal and written Ability to manage several priorities and departments.
Ability to maintain an atmosphere of cooperation, sharing and tolerance.
Ability to define problems and recommend solutions and alternatives.
Extensive knowledge of public finance policies and procedures related to the fiscal
activities of a state university or other public sector institution with complex fiscal and financial responsibilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Masters degree in business administration, public administration, or related field, from an accredited college or university.
Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible high level administrative experience in public sector finance and administration.
Proficiency in financial management software and enterprise resource planning (ERP)
systems. (Banner preferred)
Experience leading enterprise budget, capital projects, and master planning.
Experience managing Accounting, Facilities, Human Resources, and Purchasing.
Strong budgetary and financial data analysis expertise.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Certified Public Accountant
Extensive experience in higher education finance and administration as a senior financial officer.
Extensive knowledge of state budget processes.

recblid 5eurqam44xipulx828g8esyffvd92p