Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration

The University of Washington Tacoma is an anchor institution that is deeply invested in its local communities and in student success. As one of three campuses of a world-class university, UW Tacoma is dedicated to interdisciplinary and innovative teaching and scholarship and to engaging the community in mutually beneficial partnerships. UW Tacoma’s commitment to access and diversity is central to an environment where students, staff, faculty and South Sound residents find abundant opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth. The campus aspires to establish its own unique UW brand by becoming the premiere mid-sized public university campus in the country. It will accomplish this by operating at the intersection of access and excellence as it provides transformative experiences in a nurturing and inclusive environment that boldly embraces the assets of our diverse student body. In addition to traditional research, the campus champions faculty’s public scholarship that includes our community partners and instills in students, not only a deep sense of belonging, but also inspires them to embrace the civic-minded and social justice principles of their learning experiences into their subsequent lives and careers. More information about UW Tacoma and its strategic plan can be found here UW Tacoma Strategic Plan.

The University of Washington Tacoma values diverse perspectives and experiences and invites candidates from varying backgrounds and cultural identities to apply for the position of Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (VCFA).

See the full job description and apply at https://hr.uw.edu/jobs/ under req 209097.

The VCFA reports to the Chancellor of UW Tacoma and provides leadership in key strategic areas related to administration, campus development, and financial operations in an environment of growth, and with a core focus on students. The VCFA is a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet and is a vital partner with other Vice Chancellors and the Chancellor in centering the work of UW Tacoma in diversity, equity and inclusion and in applying equity-based decision-making aligned with institutional priorities, resources, systems and an evolving strategic plan.

Role of Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration:

As a Vice Chancellor on one of three campuses of the University of Washington, success in this position requires the ability to foster and maintain effective working relationships that reflect an in-depth understanding of the tri-campus university and the importance of our surrounding community. The successful candidate will have the primary responsibility of working in collaboration with counterparts on the other campuses and the central voices of the University of Washington, especially in those areas where there are shared services and responsibilities, including Planning and Budgeting, Capital Planning and Development, Human Resources, Facilities Services, and Real Estate.

The VCFA also collaborates with other campus leaders on critical external relationships in the community. Leadership in guiding UW Tacoma through the Tri- campus Financial Transformation enterprise–level implementation of a new financial system will also be an important component of this position during the next several years. To support the mission and vision of UWT, the VCFA will have superb management skills and business acumen, be adept at facilitating connections and building partnerships, and be able to serve as a trusted and respected member of the leadership team. The VCFA must work and communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff, and external partners, and engage with them regularly to identify creative solutions and help solve problems.

The VCFA leads a high-functioning management team that has responsibility for a multi-unit organization that provides administrative services and business management support to the campus community and is responsible for creating a supportive and welcoming work environment for all Finance and Administration staff. The VCFA plays an important role in the implementation and operationalization of the UW Tacoma strategic plan, leading process improvement efforts that impact all parts of a growing, highly diverse, urban- serving university with over 5,600 students, roughly 400 faculty, 400 staff, and 400 student employees, and an annual operating budget of approximately $86 million.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The VCFA will function in the following major areas:

• Leadership
• Financial Management, Accounting, Budget, and Procurement
• Campus Planning and Development & Facilities Services
• Campus Safety and Security
• Campus Human Resources & Risk Management

Leadership:

• Uses equity-based decision-making to lead, guide, and support critical administrative functions of the campus, including capital and space planning, facilities, human resources, and strategic financial management. Provides direction, sets standards, ensures compliance, and champions initiatives aligned with the campus’s urban-serving mission, strategic plan and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
• Collaborates and partners with the Chancellor and executive leadership in providing campus-wide direction in advancing the University’s interests and addressing its challenges.
• Serves as a designated representative of UW Tacoma, interacting with and serving as liaison with a wide range of UW Seattle standing committees and regularly collaborates with counterparts on the other UW campuses. Represents UW Tacoma with community groups and other government agencies.
• Understands the importance of and is deeply committed to the advancement of students and diversity; to professional development/training of staff; to promoting equity, inclusion, respect, and civility in the workplace and in the University community at-large; and to thoughtfully plan and facilitate positive organizational change.
• Engages a broad range of financial and administrative personnel in discussions around the financial objectives and challenges of the organization, conveying the organizational vision and ensuring that they meet the institution's financial goals to achieve the institution's mission.
• Collaborates with a team-oriented leadership style; demonstrates good judgement in recognizing talent and assessing where improvements are needed; makes appropriate connections and builds synergies; approaches problem-solving with creativity and a willingness to address issues; understands and enables diverse viewpoints and approaches to achieve University goals.

Financial Management, Accounting, Budget, and Procurement:

• Serves as the principal advisor to the Chancellor on major financial policy decisions and assures mechanisms are in place for the biennial budget process.
• Works with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance in monitoring, planning, and forecasting the University’s revenues and expenditures, analyzing, and recommending corrective measures as needed considering experience and anticipated gains and shortfalls, and reporting to campus to ensure transparency.
• Continues effort to look at a new budget model that better aligns with the Seattle campus’s Activity Based Budget (ABB) model and UW Bothell’s Responsibility Centered Management (RCM), with a focus on activities that facilitate growth while meeting market demand signals.
• Monitors and evaluates the University’s debt load and financial reserves in keeping with University of Washington standards and generally accepted prudent financial practices.
• Works with the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs regarding budgetary management for the Academic Affairs units.
• Provides financial oversight of the campus auxiliary enterprises and balances the urgency of short-term budgeting with the intentionality of long-term planning.
• Responsible for the successful implementation of University of Washington Financial Transformation (UWFT) on the Tacoma Campus. https://finance.uw.edu/uwft/

Campus Planning and Development:

• Assures the timely updating and communication of the campus master plan that enhances the University’s urban character, strengthens its connection to the community, anticipates future demand, and fulfills its academic mission.
• Works with campus planning and financial leaders in guiding the planning, financing, negotiation, and development of major capital projects.
• Serves as a key support to the Executive Budget Committee of the campus and leads the space evaluation, renewal, and assignment processes.
• Directly supervises departmental senior leadership in assuring the appropriate staffing, financial support, and operational effectiveness of all F&A services and programs.
• Advocates and promotes implementation of campus-wide initiatives and recognizes staff contributions to strengthen UW Tacoma’s organizational culture, level of employee engagement, and breadth and depth of professional development opportunities.
• Provides oversight for campus real estate, retail, and lease operations and facilities services.
• Participates in and collaborates in all necessary public private housing and dining initiatives which will shape the future of the campus.

Campus Safety and Security

• Provides oversight for Campus Safety and Security
• Responsible for ensuring the development and execution of an annual emergency response and training program.
• Provides executive sponsorship for the UW Tacoma Health Safety Committee (HSC); responsible for executive coordination for HSC initiatives
• Ensures Collaborative coordination between Campus Safety Security and external community partners
• Participates in both UWT and Tri-Campus Re-imagining Safety and Security forums and actively works to resolve constituency issues.
• Ensures efficacy of the annual Workplace safety plan.

Campus Risk Management

•      Oversee all campus human resources operations for staff.
• Represents UW Tacoma on the Tri-Campus Risk Management Committee.
• Responsible for assessing UWT Enterprise Risks and identifying and prioritizing risk mitigation measures with fellow campus leaders.
• Provide executive coordination with main campus compliance and risk services.
•   Minimize threats to our leadership role in research and teaching.
• Protect our decentralized, collaborative, and entrepreneurial culture.
• Ensure a high level of stewardship over resources.
• Mitigate problems that may have campus-wide impacts on reputation and resources.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

The most successful candidate will have a career that reflects being a systems thinker with a strong track record in managing change, along with proven experience as an organizational and financial leader who upholds principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Typically, candidates are qualified to perform the responsibilities of this position by obtaining technical expertise and knowledge through the attainment of a Master’s degree in Accounting, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field, and at least 10 years of experience in leadership and financial management. However, we acknowledge there are other career paths in which a candidate may gain the expertise and ability to perform this work. Education, experience, and training that demonstrates proficiency and the ability to perform the job responsibilities will be evaluated for equivalency to the required education and experience qualifications listed below.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Master’s degree. Ten years progressively responsible experience in leadership and management accountabilities preferably in a higher education system, with an emphasis on financial management and/or capital project development.
• Solid knowledge of accounting and budgeting with an ability to communicate budget information in an understandable way.
• Experience in managing organization-wide financial and project management systems.
• Experience in collaborating with executive-level counterparts in providing strategic direction in a multi- dimensional organization or higher education system.
• Demonstrated ability to implement positive change in a complex organizational environment.
• Values Diversity & Inclusiveness:  Respects, values and contributes to the UW’s commitment to inclusiveness and diversity.
• Skill in directing and supervising senior-level managers who are accountable for key operational functions serving the enterprise.
• Skill in working collaboratively and assertively with a wide range of senior officials representing business partners, community groups, and government agencies.
• Capable of balancing the need for both collaborative engagement and timely decision-making.
• Demonstrated respect for and ability to work effectively in a shared governance environment.
• Demonstrated valuing of, and ability to work and communicate effectively with individuals with varying racial, ethnic, religious, gender, cultural, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic, and other intersecting identities, and backgrounds.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.