CFO & VP Administration (9617)

Friends University•Wichita, KS

About The Position

The CFO & VP Administration provides executive leadership and management of the university’s financial operations and serves on the President’s Cabinet. The role directs financial planning, budgeting and budget analysis, accounting operations, financial controls and reporting, investment and endowment oversight, and university audits. The position also guides long-term planning for the university’s 30 buildings on 54 acres, working with architects, engineers, and contractors to protect and improve the campus. The CFO oversees finance, Student Account Services, Information Technology, and Physical Plant, and is accountable to the Board of Trustees for financial reporting. The role provides executive oversight of facilities, grounds, and property functions; manages institutional vendor contracts and property and liability insurance; and supports university policy, objectives, and programs. The position works regularly with university department heads, administrators, and faculty on finance and budget matters.

Requirements

At least 8 to 10 years of experience in finance and/or accounting management with supervisory experience.
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, higher education administration, or a related area.
Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with college faculty, staff, administrators, governing boards, and students.
Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex information to varied audiences.
Working knowledge of property and liability insurance, broker management, and claims.
Ability to read construction documents, evaluate bids, and hold contractors accountable to contract terms.
Strong computer acumen and experience with Microsoft Office applications, Ellucian Banner, and/or other ERP systems that support higher education.
Regular walking across campus and through buildings under construction or repair, including stairs, basements, roofs, and mechanical rooms, as well as periods of prolonged desk work.
Occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds.
Uphold the university’s mission through the active demonstration of Christian faith; maintain high ethical standards, cultivate trust-based relationships, empower staff, and maintain effective administrative support systems.
Work cross-functionally and support campus activities that may occur outside normal business hours.

Nice To Haves

Higher education and nonprofit experience.
Master’s degree and/or CPA.

Responsibilities

Oversee the day-to-day operation of the finance department and develop, maintain, and disseminate forecasting, budgeting, and reporting systems that support strategic objectives.
Facilitate the budget development process and collaborate on annual budget recommendations.
Oversee investment activities and supervise endowment and restricted fund activities, including appropriate use and monitoring.
Oversee university debt and make recommendations.
Manage vendor contracts for global institutional services, including property and risk policies, utilities, housekeeping, campus construction, and food services.
Maintain the integrity of university accounting functions through policies, procedures, and an appropriate audit function.
Provide financial benchmarking tools; interpret, communicate, and present financial data and trends.
Develop and distribute profit and cost models for analysis and evaluation.
Serve as the primary liaison for legal, accounting, audit, and tax services, and ensure compliance with recognized accounting and financial standards.
Support the university’s short- and long-term financial health.
Provide executive oversight of facilities, grounds, and property functions; set standards, priorities, and budgets.
Develop direct reports and build their capacity to manage resources, plan work, and lead teams.
Own the deferred maintenance plan, including the building condition assessment, funding schedule, and annual project list.
Serve as the university’s principal contact with architects, engineers, and contractors on capital projects from scope through closeout.
Review bids, negotiate contracts, and monitor capital project budgets, schedules, and work quality.
Manage property and liability insurance with the broker, including annual renewal, property valuations, and claims.
Present financial results to the Audit & Finance Committee, the Investment Committee, and the full Board of Trustees.
Oversee investment and endowment assets, including policy, manager selection, and due diligence; provide analysis to support Board and university decisions.
Supervise Finance, Student Account Services, Information Technology, and Physical Plant; hire, train, direct, and evaluate employees in those departments.
Assist with formulating and executing university policies, objectives, and programs.
Meet and consult regularly with department heads, administrators, and faculty regarding finance and budget administration.