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Senior Vice President of Finance & Administration

Employer
University of North Texas
Location
Texas, United States
Salary
Salary Commensurate with experience
Date posted
Jan 29, 2021

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Position Type
Executive, Other Executive
Employment Level
Executive
Employment Type
Full Time

At the University of North Texas (UNT), our caring and creative community empowers our students to thrive in a rapidly changing world. As one of Texas’ largest universities, UNT is a 500-acre campus located in Denton, Texas, located in the dynamic Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. UNT is home to nearly 41,000 students and employs over 8000 faculty and staff members.

The University of North Texas invites inquiries, applications and nominations for the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Vice President for Finance and Administration. Reporting to the President, the CFO and Vice President is a senior executive position that provides leadership and oversight for the development and execution of a sustainable financial model for the University that anticipates and responds to the opportunities and challenges inherent in the contemporary higher education environment. This position is responsible for supporting the University’s academic and research missions by providing quality financial, business, and administrative services to the University community while preserving its assets and ensuring transparency in planning, budgeting and compliance.

The Vice President serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet and assumes an active and collaborative role in strategic planning, policy development, forecasting, and resource analysis for the University. As the CFO of the University, this position is actively involved in leading strategic planning and budgeting processes with emphasis on human capital as well as operations and physical assets. Additional responsibilities include managing debt financing and cash flows while evaluating and limiting associated business risks and maintaining optimal liquidity. The Vice President monitors and benchmarks institutional financial performance and identifies and reports on productivity and efficiency of departments’ use of capital assets and financial resources and quickly advises regarding effective approaches to capitalize on opportunities or mitigate threats.

The Vice President also oversees and directs the following functions: operating & capital budget development and management, funds management, tuition and fees assessment and collection, student financial services, risk management, emergency management, asset protection, policy development, business process training, youth protection, and facilities and plant operations including police, parking and transportation. Responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

Financial and Administrative Operations:
• Directs all fiscal planning and operations of the university, financial analyses, including partnering with leadership to identify strategic investments and asset mobility opportunities, and demonstrate flexibility to support the University’s long-term goals, ensuring transparency in the process.
• Demonstrates sound knowledge of finance within a public agency and a deep understanding of financial statements, debt management, and bond issues.
• Develops and executes an integrated budget formulation in conjunction with the President and other senior leaders and administers the approved budget, authorizing appropriate budget adjustments as needed to carry out the normal operations of the university.
• Interprets financial data, presents financial facts, and advises fellow administrators about the institution’s financial condition. Advocates the benefits of good management practices such as financial planning and oversight, compliance, and monitoring of internal controls.
• Utilizes strategic budgeting practices to build capacity within the organization and capitalize on development opportunities.
• Coordinates the development of the Legislative Appropriations Request with the President; develops evidence and testimony in support of the request to various state agencies and the Legislature.
• Administers all business and financial aspects of the campus to include development and administration of interagency contracts and financial relationships.
• Recommends ways to link appropriation and operating budget requests to campus planning.
• Integrates major business and related operations, including areas not directly managed, to ensure a transparent and seamless team including areas such as budgeting, controller/accounting activities, purchasing, and human resources.

Compliance and Collaboration
• Assures development, implementation, and oversight of programs, policies, and internal controls for improved efficiency, effectiveness, and performance.
• Ensures that monitoring systems are in place to track compliance with all federal and state laws and regulations, and that all staff have the training necessary to comply with relevant laws and regulations.
• Adheres to and fosters high standards of ethical conduct, compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and appropriate financial oversight and controls.
• Exercises prudent management practices, and authorizes exceptions to purchasing and payment policies when appropriate and within existing laws.
• Works effectively in a collaborative and teaming manner with other key leaders across the institution, the system and external partners and stakeholders.

Leadership and Development

  • Demonstrates effective leadership competencies, managing a team with diverse functions to ensure accountability at high standards, and develops the team to ensure effective succession planning.
    • Develops a culture of employee engagement within the division.
    • Represents UNTin matters related to the business and financial management of the institution.
    • Exemplifies best practices and ensures that they are followed in support of accountability, compliance, customer service, and institutional goals.
    • Provides leadership and oversight of institutional effectiveness efforts including the use of evaluation results and linking results to planning.
    • Promotes diversity within units to support existing campus programs designed to create an inclusive environment.

The successful candidate will possess a Master’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting or other related field and ten (10) years of experience in progressively responsible senior level finance and administrative management positions in higher education or public agency; or equivalent combination of education, experience and training. Must have experience managing large budgets and portfolios in excess of $100M, and experience working in an organization focused on continuous improvement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required for successful performance:
• Ability to plan, develop, implement, direct, and evaluate the university’s fiscal function and performance.
• Strategic financial planning and assessment skills, and ability to evaluate and advise on the impact of long-range planning initiatives. Ability to analyze varied courses of action and actively partner with senior leadership in strategic planning initiatives.
• Experience in planning and budgeting at the organizational level, particularly in higher education or a public agency environment.
• Strong financial management and reporting acumen, and extensive research, analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving skills.
• Exemplary interpersonal, organizational, analytical, and written and oral communication skills.
• Strong leadership and effective management skills to lead diverse departments, organize and direct the work of others, and develop team members.
• Demonstrated successful financial management and negotiation of major projects and contracts in a complex environment to achieve growth with limited resources.
• Experience implementing effective business practices to capitalize on technological resources.
• Keen sense of excellence and execution with a commitment to best practices in developing administrative operating procedures and policies in area of responsibility.
• Ability to make independent judgments and take appropriate actions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships at all levels of the University community.
• Ability to work under considerable pressure, to adjust to constant change, and coordinate the work of others.
• Thorough knowledge of electronic information systems and accounting systems.

The preferred candidate will possess the following additional qualifications:
• Professional certification such as CPA or CMA.
• Significant experience in Texas public higher education and coordination with State agencies.

The University of North Texas System and its component institutions are committed to equal opportunity and comply with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University of North Texas System and its component institutions do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, and employment practices.

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