Vice President for Finance and Administration (CFO) - Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences

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7d•Onsite

About The Position

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) is seeking a strategic and forward-thinking Vice President for Finance and Administration / Chief Financial Officer to join its executive leadership team in Yakima, WA. This is a unique opportunity to step into a highly visible role under a new President and help shape the university’s financial future during a period of growth and transformation. Serving a student population of approximately 1,000 across five core healthcare programs, the Vice President will lead a finance team of 10 and partner closely with the President and Board to drive long-term strategy, modernize financial systems, and support a mission focused on expanding healthcare access in rural and underserved communities. Ideal for a collaborative, innovative finance leader - whether you’re an experienced CFO or a rising leader ready to step into the role - who is energized by building, leading through change, and making meaningful impact.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, or a related field
Significant experience overseeing financial operations, budgeting, and institutional financial strategy in a complex organization
Demonstrated experience leading financial planning, forecasting, and reporting at an enterprise level
Experience partnering with executive leadership teams and governing boards
Strong expertise in financial modeling, resource allocation, and long-range planning

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or a related field
CPA or equivalent financial certification
Experience in higher education, healthcare education, or nonprofit environments
Experience supporting institutional growth, transformation, or capital expansion
Familiarity with endowment management and higher education financial regulations

Responsibilities

Serve as a key member of the President’s Executive Leadership Team, providing financial insight to guide institutional strategy and decision-making
Partner with the President, Board of Trustees, and executive leaders to align financial planning with strategic priorities
Lead long-range financial strategy development to support institutional sustainability and mission impact
Develop financial models incorporating enrollment trends, tuition strategy, and program growth
Guide resource allocation through data-informed analysis and scenario planning
Foster a culture of financial stewardship, transparency, and accountability
Lead the annual budgeting process and long-term financial planning in collaboration with campus leadership
Develop multi-year forecasts and scenario models to support strategic decision-making
Align resource allocation with institutional priorities
Partner on capital planning, infrastructure investments, and long-term campus development
Oversee endowment strategy in collaboration with external advisors
Structure and evaluate financing strategies for capital projects, including debt and public-private partnerships
Oversee accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls
Ensure timely, accurate financial statements and audit readiness
Maintain compliance with GAAP and all federal, state, and regulatory requirements
Oversee payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and system integrity
Lead institutional financial risk management, including insurance and governance practices
Strengthen systems that enhance financial resilience and operational efficiency
Serve as a primary financial advisor to the President and Board of Trustees
Prepare and present financial reports, forecasts, and long-term analyses
Partner with finance, audit, and investment committees
Support board oversight of financial performance and sustainability
Partner with HR leadership to align compensation and benefits strategy with institutional goals
Provide financial modeling for compensation planning, benchmarking, and program evaluation
Oversee retirement plans (403(b) and 457) ensuring compliance and fiscal stewardship
Ensure compensation and benefits are integrated into long-range financial planning
Lead, mentor, and develop finance and budget teams
Build strong relationships with academic and administrative leaders
Partner with operations leadership to align financial and operational strategies
Support cross-functional collaboration on capital planning, risk management, and institutional sustainability
Collaborate with advancement and external partners to support fundraising, grants, and partnerships
Represent the university in external conversations related to higher education finance
Support diversification of revenue streams and long-term financial sustainability
Align financial strategy with PNWU’s mission to expand healthcare access in underserved communities