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 the Chief Financial Officer of Gardner-Webb University, 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, responsible stewardship of institutional resources, and long-term financial sustainability. As a strategic advisor to the President and institutional leadership, the VPFA leads financial planning, budgeting, accounting, reporting, compliance, and long-range financial forecasting. The role also provides executive leadership for Human Resources, Technology Services, and designated administrative operations and contractual partnerships. The successful candidate demonstrates financial acumen, sound judgment, collaborative leadership, and an understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing private higher education. Gardner-Webb University is a Christian university in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, serving approximately 3,000 students across more than 80 undergraduate and graduate programs. Founded in 1905 and rooted in the Baptist tradition, the University is a Carnegie Doctoral/Professional institution and competes in NCAA Division I athletics.

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 financial management experience, including substantial leadership in 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 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 in 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 financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, accounts payable, payroll, student accounts, and financial reporting.
Lead development, implementation, and monitoring of the annual operating budget with the President, Cabinet, and institutional leadership.
Maintain 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 with appropriate 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 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 expenses, operating costs, capital needs, endowment distributions, debt, and other significant factors.
Collaborate with institutional leaders to assess the financial feasibility and sustainability of academic programs, enrollment initiatives, staffing structures, capital investments, and other strategic opportunities.
Monitor financial indicators, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend strategies for revenue enhancement, cost management, resource allocation, and sustainability.
Provide financial projections, scenario analyses, and 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.
Analyze financial data related to physical assets, including age of plant, depreciation, deferred maintenance, facility condition assessments, and capital renewal needs.
Evaluate the affordability and financial implications of capital projects, infrastructure improvements, and major equipment investments, including potential funding sources.
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, grant agreements, and institutional policies.
Ensure accurate expenditure tracking, reconciliations, financial reporting, and timely financial closeout of grants and restricted funds.
Establish internal controls and coordinate financial documentation for grant audits, reviews, and compliance examinations.
Collaborate with principal investigators, grant administrators, and institutional leaders on grant financial obligations, matching requirements, and ongoing 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-law and policy compliance.
Support human resource policies, practices, and initiatives that promote organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, accountability, and a positive workplace culture.
Partner with Technology Services leadership on technology strategy, including enterprise systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity, data governance, technology investments, and long-term planning.
Ensure technology initiatives support academic and administrative operations, security, business continuity, efficiency, and effective resource use.
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 budgets, vendors, 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 strategic planning, policy development, and executive decision-making.
Serve as principal financial advisor to the President 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 divisions to align financial and administrative decisions with academic, enrollment, operational, and strategic priorities.
Model ethical leadership, accountability, collaboration, and commitment to Gardner-Webb University's Christian mission, institutional values, and student success.