Vice President of Finance and Administration

Gardner Webb University•Boiling Springs, NC

About The Position

The Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA) serves as Gardner-Webb University's Chief Financial Officer, reports directly to the President, and is a member of the President's Cabinet. The VPFA provides strategic leadership and oversight of the University's financial operations and designated administrative functions, supporting the University's mission, strategic priorities, and long-term financial sustainability. The role advises the President and institutional leadership on financial planning, budgeting, accounting, reporting, compliance, and long-range forecasting, and provides executive leadership for Human Resources, Technology Services, and designated administrative operations and contractual partnerships. The VPFA oversees financial functions including accounting, budgeting, accounts payable, payroll, student accounts, financial reporting, cash flow, banking relationships, debt obligations, liquidity, endowment accounting, and financial audits. The role leads annual budget development and maintains rolling three- to five-year financial forecasts, evaluates the financial feasibility of institutional initiatives, monitors financial performance, and recommends strategies for sustainability, revenue enhancement, cost management, and resource allocation. The position collaborates on capital budgets and improvement plans, assesses physical-asset and capital-renewal needs, and evaluates project affordability and financing options. It provides executive oversight of federal grants and restricted funds, including compliance, expenditure tracking, reporting, reconciliation, and closeout. The VPFA also provides strategic oversight of Human Resources and Technology Services, and executive oversight of the Campus Shop, Campus Post Office, motor vehicle fleet, institutional camp operations and management, and the dining-services partnership with Aramark. Direct supervision and operational management of Plant Operations and facilities are not responsibilities of this position at this time. As a member of the President's Cabinet and principal financial advisor to the President, the VPFA contributes to institutional planning, policy development, and executive decisions; works with the Board of Trustees and relevant committees; and communicates financial information to audiences with varying levels of financial expertise. The role calls for ethical leadership, collaboration, accountability, responsible stewardship, and commitment to Gardner-Webb University's Christian mission and student success.

Requirements

Master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, higher education administration, or a closely related field.
At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in financial management, including substantial leadership responsibility for budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, and organizational financial planning.
Knowledge and understanding of higher education, including institutional financial models, enrollment and tuition revenue dynamics, financial aid, regulatory requirements, and the financial challenges facing private colleges and universities.
Experience with federal grant financial management, compliance, reporting, and reconciliation.
Ability to develop multiyear financial projections, financial models, and long-range financial strategies.
Strong understanding of financial accounting principles, internal controls, audit processes, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance.
Ability to provide executive leadership and strategic oversight of administrative functions, including Human Resources and Technology Services.
Strong analytical, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, and ability to work effectively with executive leadership, governing boards, faculty, and staff.
Commitment to ethical leadership, financial transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship.
Commitment to supporting Gardner-Webb University's Christian mission and values.

Nice To Haves

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation or comparable professional financial credential.
Senior-level financial leadership experience in higher education, particularly at a private, nonprofit college or university.
Experience with endowment management, institutional investments, debt financing, and capital planning.
Experience providing financial and administrative leadership within a complex organization with multiple operating divisions and funding sources.
Experience working directly with a governing board and its finance or investment committees.
Demonstrated success developing financial strategies that strengthen organizational sustainability and support strategic growth.

Responsibilities

Provide executive leadership and oversight of the University's financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, accounts payable, payroll, student accounts, financial reporting, and related functions.
Lead development, implementation, and monitoring of the annual operating budget in collaboration with the President, Cabinet, and institutional leadership.
Ensure accurate financial records and reporting, effective financial policies and internal controls, regulatory compliance, and responsible stewardship of resources.
Oversee cash flow, banking relationships, debt obligations, liquidity, and other institutional financial commitments.
Oversee endowment accounting, investment-related financial reporting, and endowment distribution planning in coordination with Board committees, University Advancement, and external investment advisors.
Coordinate the annual financial audit and other required financial examinations, including timely completion and follow-up.
Develop and implement financial strategies supporting long-term financial sustainability, the University's mission, strategic plan, and institutional priorities.
Develop, maintain, and update a rolling three- to five-year financial forecast incorporating enrollment, tuition revenue, financial aid and discount rates, personnel and operating expenses, capital needs, endowment distributions, debt, and other significant factors.
Evaluate the financial feasibility and sustainability of academic programs, enrollment initiatives, staffing structures, capital investments, and strategic opportunities.
Monitor financial performance indicators, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend strategies for revenue enhancement, cost management, resource allocation, and sustainability.
Provide financial projections, scenario analyses, and actionable recommendations for presidential and institutional decision-making.
Collaborate with the President and institutional leaders on short- and long-term capital budgets and capital improvement plans.
Maintain and analyze financial data on physical assets, including age of plant, depreciation, deferred maintenance, facility condition assessments, and capital renewal needs.
Evaluate affordability and funding options for capital projects, infrastructure improvements, and major equipment investments.
Coordinate with campus operations leadership so capital planning reflects institutional priorities, operational needs, and available resources.
Provide executive oversight of financial administration for federal grants and externally restricted funds, ensuring compliance with regulations, agreements, and institutional policies.
Ensure grant and restricted-fund expenditure tracking, account reconciliation, financial reporting, and timely closeout; establish controls and coordinate audit documentation.
Collaborate with principal investigators, grant administrators, and institutional leaders on grant financial obligations, matching requirements, and institutional commitments.
Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight of Human Resources and Technology Services.
Partner with Human Resources leadership on workforce planning, compensation and benefits, employee relations, talent acquisition and retention, professional development, and employment compliance.
Support human resource policies and initiatives that promote organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, accountability, and a positive workplace culture.
Partner with Technology Services leadership on technology strategy, enterprise systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity, data governance, investments, and long-term planning.
Ensure technology initiatives support academic and administrative operations, security, business continuity, efficiency, and effective use of institutional resources.
Guide and hold departmental directors accountable while fostering collaboration, innovation, service excellence, and continuous improvement.
Provide executive oversight of the University Campus Shop, Campus Post Office, motor vehicle fleet, and institutional camp operations and management.
Oversee the dining-services contractual partnership with Aramark, including contract administration, financial accountability, service quality, and alignment with institutional expectations.
Establish operational and financial accountability for assigned administrative functions, including budget management, vendor relationships, service delivery, and compliance.
Identify opportunities to improve administrative efficiency, contractual partnerships, and services to the University community.
Serve on the President's Cabinet and contribute to institutional strategic planning, policy development, and executive decision-making.
Serve as principal financial advisor to the President and provide counsel on institutional operations and long-term sustainability.
Work with the Board of Trustees and appropriate committees, particularly those responsible for finance, investments, and institutional resources.
Present financial reports, forecasts, budget recommendations, and strategic analyses clearly to audiences with varying financial expertise.
Collaborate across institutional divisions to align financial and administrative decisions with academic, enrollment, operational, and strategic priorities.
Model ethical leadership, accountability, collaboration, and commitment to the University's Christian mission, values, and student success.