VP, Finance & Accounting

Woodbury University transforms students into innovative professionals who will contribute responsibly to the global community.  Woodbury achieves academic excellence by focusing on purposeful student engagement, establishing external partnerships and ensuring that all processes, services and environment enrich the student experience.

Established in 1884 as a small, private, nonprofit institution, Woodbury University today is located at the heart of the Southern California creative economy, where it is a major draw for students locally and globally, who wish to gain access to a rich ecosystem of expertise and resources.  With 26 undergraduate and graduate majors in the School of Architecture, School of Business, School of Media, Culture & Design, and the College of Liberal Arts, each program is built on a strong, practice-based professional and liberal arts foundation.  Woodbury has three locations across Southern California: a primary campus in Burbank, a small campus in San Diego, and a gallery in Hollywood.  Students learn in an intimate, diverse and engaging setting with a total of 1200 undergraduate and graduate students.  The average class size of 15 and student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 enables students to engage and learn in ways that are generally not possible at larger institutions.  The University currently has an annual operating budget of approximately $39 million.  It is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and recently received two $3 million Title V grants from the Department of Education.

In 2015, seasoned international business leader Dr. David M. Steele-Figueredo became Woodbury University’s 14th President.  The Woodbury University name increasingly is recognized by the likes of The Economist, U.S. News & World Report, Colleges of Distinction, Graphic Design USA, Design Intelligence and Animation Career Review as a leading university that offers top-notch academic programs and prepares students for excellence in their chosen field and in life.  For additional information about Woodbury University, please visit:  https://woodbury.edu.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting to the President, the Vice President for Finance & Accounting (VPFA) serves as a member of the President’s senior cabinet and provides “hands-on” leadership for the management of financial and business affairs.  This position includes overall administration of the budget process in conformity with the University’s strategic plan: maintenance of internal accounting controls; development of financial policies and procedures; procurement of goods and services; management and administration of long-term debt including bonds; and restructuring the institution’s financial and accounting systems.  With a total staff of 22 in Finance, Accounting and Information Technology, the VPFA will directly supervise the Accounting Manager, Finance Reporting Manager, IT Director (vacant), and Financial Aid Director.  The VPFA will interface and present regularly to the University’s leadership and the Board of Trustees.  As the key financial leader advising the President and Board of Trustees, the VPFA will provide collaborative and critical insight and analyses to support strategic planning, goal setting and key policy decision making.

Key Responsibilities for this role include oversight and administration of all financial operations on campus, including hands-on detailed assessment, development and integration of systems, and thorough accounting and financial reporting.  This individual will provide leadership, management and supervision of the college's information technology (IT) infrastructure and enterprise computer applications that support the college's business processes, instruction and services.  The VPFA will also represent the University in off campus community and local business circles, such as the Burbank Chamber of Commerce.

The VPFA will play an active role in the day-to-day management, strategic guidance, and implementation of the following:

• Overall Finance and Accounting
• Budgeting and Financial Projections
• Financial Reporting and Regulatory Compliance
• Information Technology Infrastructure and Applications
• Monitoring Investments

Responsibilities:

• Develop and administer University policies related to business and finance. Analyze and recommend changes in fiscal policies related to business and finance.
• Coordinate preparation and administration of the University budget. Monitor the annual operating budget.
• Provide leadership to the campus budgeting and planning process.
• Participate in general strategic and administrative planning as a member of the President’s Cabinet.
• Act as a liaison and provide accountability to the Finance, Audit, Strategic Planning and Technology Committees of the Board of Trustees.
• Provide analysis and interpretation of the University’s fiscal and business affairs for the President and other officers of the University.
• Supervise the operation and personnel of the Business Office, Financial Aid and Information Technology.
• Manage accounting and other financial services including general ledger, financial reporting, accounts receivable and payable, cashiering, loan collections, investment accounting, fixed asset accounting, etc.
• Manage the purchasing function and procurement of goods and services.
• Work with independent accountants in preparation of the annual audit.
• Oversee the conversion of information technology systems.
• Manage banking relationships regarding short term borrowing and other banking services not related to long term debt financing.

TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS DESIRED:

The ideal candidate will be strategic and results driven, with strong “hands-on” leadership skills and a proven track record.  As a seasoned financial leader of integrity, it is necessary that the VPFA have a commitment to team-based management and possess impeccable verbal and written communication skills; strong relationship building capabilities; an entrepreneurial approach to seeing and analyzing financial opportunities; flexibility and adaptability to shifting priorities or needs, and sound and influential decision making abilities.  The successful candidate will have strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to interact in a collegial manner with faculty, staff and students.  The VPFA will be a forward-thinking executive with strong business acumen, good judgment and an attention to detail.  This person will have strong analytical and perceptive skills with the ability to diagnose accurately organizational needs.

CAREER TRACK LEADING TO THIS POSITION:

Candidates should have a minimum of five years of increasingly responsible senior management experience.  Candidates should have knowledge of fund accounting and the ability to perform financial analysis.  Although experience in nonprofit organizations would be beneficial, candidates from the for profit sector with an interest in higher education are encouraged to apply.  Mastery of automated systems and computer and software applications to financial analysis is expected. 

EDUCATION:                                                                                                       

A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration is required; a Master’s degree or CPA is preferred.

COMPENSATION:

Salary range is $170,000 to $190,000 based on experience.  Relocation assistance, if needed, is negotiable.  A comprehensive benefits package will be provided.