Vice President, Business Operations & CFO

Seminole State College of Florida has been changing lives in Central Florida for over 50 years. We were honored to be name a semifinalist for the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence which honors colleges that show outstanding performance in teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment, workforce success, equitable access, and equitable outcomes for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds. 

A great college is made so by its faculty and staff, and Seminole State has been recognized as one of the best colleges to work for in the country by the Chronicle of Higher Education. The Seminole State culture is known for engaging faculty and staff in all facets of the college to create a workplace that is collaborative and provides a healthy work-life balance.

If you are a highly motivated finance professional with strong leadership skills and experience in leading financial management and general operations, then we have an excellent executive level opportunity for you to join our team of dedicated Faculty and Staff as our next Vice President of Business Operations and Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

We offer competitive pay with a beginning salary of $151,622 commensurate with education and experience plus an attractive total rewards package including:

• Flexible work options with a 37.5 hour work week and generous paid time off (holidays, annual and sick leave, and College Breaks)
• A variety of paid health, dental, and life insurance coverages
• Wellness incentives and free gym membership at the Raider Fitness Center
• FRS retirement and other options
• Professional Development and Paid Tuition
• Free on campus parking, Lynx bus service

DESCRIPTION: The Vice President, Business Operations and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is an experienced and innovative leader responsible for the fiscal management of the institution.  Serves as the chief business and financial officer of the college. Supports the learning mission of the college through effective leadership, supervision, analysis, and planning of college finances, business operations, auxiliary enterprises, facilities and property, and safety and security. The Vice President serves as a member of the Executive Team and reports directly to the president.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Leads the college in transparent enterprise resource planning, including revenue modeling, strategic budget development, facilities and property strategy, cost management strategies, and stewardship of resources.
• Develops and oversees the management of financial policies, procedures, systems, and operations that adhere to state and federal regulations. Aligns to the college’s strategic initiatives and finds innovative ways to leverage resources in support of the college’s learning-centered mission. 
• Provides strategic analysis and counsel on all aspects of the college’s business operations, supporting multi-year business planning. Oversees the development of annual and long-range financial plans (operating and capital).  Identifies and implements continuous process improvement initiatives in a collaborative nature to increase college operations and business efficiency. 
• Develops strategic partnerships and enterprises to enhance revenue generation within the mission of the college, including oversight of auxiliary enterprises, public-private partnerships, and other business models. 
• Actively participates in the labor management process to provide information regarding funds available for collaborative bargaining and the financial impact of potential decisions.
• Oversees external audits and reviews to ensure process efficiency and effective follow-up on findings.
• Supervises leaders responsible for reporting, budget planning, development and monitoring services, finance and accounting services, purchasing services, payroll services, student accounting services, auxiliary services, facilities planning & construction services, facilities maintenance services, custodial services, and safety & security. 
• Serves as a member of the executive team, shaping the strategy and operations of the college.  Partners collaboratively with internal senior leadership and external stakeholders.  
• Executes contracts, drafts, and agreements that provide for the effective operation of the College.  
• Develops and implements college-wide long-range and short-range capital facilities surveys and plans. 
• Oversees Safety & Security to develop and implement college-wide safety, emergency, and disaster preparedness programs. Oversees the accurate and timely preparation of all security logs and required reports, such as the Clery Report.
• Monitors legislative process and works with the college’s legislative advocates to influence and determine the financial and operational impact of proposed legislation.
• Participates with state and national professional organizations, as well as other colleges and universities to remain current with fiscal responsibilities, educational development, theory, research, and programming.
• Prepares, participates, and presents agenda items and other information items at District Board of Trustees meetings and workshops.
• Participates in the accreditation process.
• Performs other duties as may be required or assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution in accounting, business administration, finance, higher education administration, or related field and a CPA (Certified Public Accountant license) OR Master’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution in accounting, business administration, finance, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Seven years of significant and progressively more responsible experience in leading financial management and general operations that includes in-depth understanding of accounting practices, managerial finance, budgeting, and financial analysis.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• Experience in financial management at public higher education or other public entity.
• Experience with a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Willingness to work as a team member, ability to manage conflict, and dedicated to the success of the College, our employees, and the students we serve.
• Thorough knowledge of accounting and business principles, and strategic planning and budgeting procedures.
• Strong technical skills in finance, accounting, analysis, planning, and forecasting.
• Knowledge of capital facilities planning and construction processes.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws; Florida State Board of Education rules and regulations; and the policies of the District Board of Trustees.
• Ability to effectively articulate financial matters to the academic and business communities, and to address college-wide operational issues.
• Excellent Microsoft Office 365 skills (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and the ability to become proficient in Teams/Zoom.
• A leadership style and service orientation consistent with the mission of the College. 
• Demonstrated ability to successfully develop and manage relationships at all levels of the organization and the ability to influence a variety of stakeholders. 
• Commitment and demonstrated ability to work effectively with all faculty, staff, and students in an inclusive, respectful manner. 
• Strong verbal, written, active listening, interpersonal, and presentation skills with the ability to effectively articulate financial matters to the academic and business communities and to address college wide operational issues.
• The ability to inspire, lead, coach and motivate others to achieve objectives.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, as well as critical thinking ability.
• Demonstrates a professional, courteous demeanor and operate with ethics and integrity.
• Committed to working in a multicultural environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT and SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

• Works inside an office environment.
• Frequently travels between campuses and to off-site events to represent the college, including out of state events such as conferences, seminars, and workshops.
• Works flexible days and hours including evenings and weekends as needed.

COLLEGE CELL PHONE USE: The College anticipates that the position incumbent must be available throughout the workday and, on some occasions, after regular work hours. Therefore, as a condition of employment, the incumbent is expected to be available by cell phone and is required to provide their current cell phone number to the Office of Human Resources and to their immediate supervisor.

This description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. The employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.

This position is not eligible for Veteran’s Preference.

Conditions of Employment

Finalists and individuals recommended for employment at Seminole State College must reside in the State of Florida at the time of hire and may be subject to background investigations and fingerprinting in compliance with Florida Statute 1001.64; and Seminole State College Policy 1.020; 2.020. Criminal background checks and fingerprinting will be conducted for all new employees, and for rehired employees who have had a break in service for one year or more. The Office of Human Resources will determine which background checks shall be conducted for each position, based upon its review of job descriptions and the responsibilities of the position. These include, but are not limited to, positions that have access to money, master keys, security-sensitive areas and confidential information; positions that have the capability to create, delete, and alter records; and positions that are responsible for the care and instruction of children. The College will conduct various types of background checks which may include, but are not limited to: criminal background, credit check, driver's license check, previous employment and references.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete the entire online application and include work history even if attaching a resume.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (To ensure full consideration all of the following documents must be attached to the application prior to the closing date):   

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Transcripts showing the date of degree conferral; this applies to Seminole State College employees as well as external candidates (unofficial copies accepted for application purposes). Please note: Official Transcripts are REQUIRED upon hire.
• Letters of recommendation are strongly encouraged.

Other Information

HOLDERS OF DEGREES FROM INSTITUTIONS OUTSIDE THE USA: Individuals who have completed college or university course work at an institution in a country other than the United States are required to obtain a complete evaluation of foreign transcripts and degrees. Foreign transcripts should be evaluated by one of the organizations approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.

This evaluation must be submitted at the time of application. We recommend World Education Services at P.O. Box 5087, Bowling Green Station, New York, NY 10274-5087, telephone (212) 966-6311 or email address www.wes.org. The interview process may be delayed until such a review has been completed.