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.
Responsibilities:
Leadership:
- Advise the university President on all university fiscal matters and the financial impact of business issues and decisions;
- Maintain continuous lines of communication, keeping the university President informed of all critical issues related to finance;
- Adhere to, and foster high standards of ethical conduct, compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and appropriate financial oversight and controls; and
- Establish trust, open communication, and the development of shared goals within the university Fiscal Affairs Division and across the broader organizational structure.
Operations:
- Orchestrate a unified finance strategy and its administration across a complex organization to ensure alignment, collaboration, and effective support of the university in both current and future initiatives;
- Partner with university leadership, especially fellow vice presidents, to identify strategic fiscal opportunities;
- Coordinate the development of the university operating budget and Comprehensive Planning Process (CPP) submissions to the Office of the Chancellor in support of long-range financial planning.
- Conduct financial analysis and planning to best position the university for long-term financial sustainability and delivery of programs that optimize student success; and
- Deliver timely and accurate university budget (CPP) and financial statements.
Other:
- Represent all university matters of finance and administration interest to the Office of the Chancellor;
- Serve as administrative liaison to the Council of Trustees Administration and Finance Committee. Effectively communicate and present critical financial matters at Council of Trustees meetings;
- Serve as administrative liaison to the University Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee;
- Support risk assessment and compliance;
- Provide supervision and guidance to direct reports in Accounting Services, Budget, Organizational Management/PBM, and Student Billing. Provide financial guidance to and collaborate with other divisions, including but not limited to Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management & Student Affairs, University Advancement, University Affairs, the President's Office, Facilities, Police & Safety and Auxillary Operations;
- Serve as a member of the campus emergency response staff within, and part of, the University emergency operations center (EOC), a central command responsible for carrying out the principles of emergency preparedness, emergency response, support and emergency or disaster management functions at a strategic level during a high-level planned campus events or emergencies. Role includes participation in trainings and annual exercises related to the assigned incident command (IC) role, and the needs of the University to ensure the continuity of operational capabilities during any significant event;
- Exemplify commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that is visible and actualized;
- Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality; and
- Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, and monitor/evaluate results.
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 For full consideration, applications must be received by March 23, 2025. EEO Employer.
