Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs

Position description: Reporting directly to the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs serves as the University’s Chief Financial Officer and oversees the business functions of the university, including management oversight of a growing portfolio of capital projects and facilities, across multiple sites. This person serves as a vitally important senior member of the administration and is expected to provide proactive, strategic advice to the Chancellor regarding the achievement of the mission of the University through sophisticated financial and administrative policies and procedures. This responsibility includes the preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and the ability to provide additional accurate analytical, financial, and accounting information that will allow the Chancellor and members of the administration to make informed decisions and select appropriate courses of action. 

The position is responsible for a staff of 530 employees in the areas of finance and administration, facilities, design & construction, campus services (dining, bookstore, parking, postal, transportation, conference services) and New River Light and Power. The position is also responsible for an annual divisional revenue budget of $49 million, a divisional expenditure budget of $84 million, and oversight responsibility for the entire state appropriated budget of $150 million. University’s total net assets for FY2021 was $1.2 billion, net position $377 million, total operating and nonoperating revenues of $533 million and total expenditures of $432 million. In addition, the position has financial oversight for the University’s laboratory school(s), funded via Federal, State, and local funding allocations, in addition to supplemental funding provided by the University and the UNC System Office.

The position requires a person of high integrity who is a strategically focused, visionary leader with meaningful senior leadership experience in financial management in higher education, including the management of complex budgets and integrating budget decisions and strategic planning that will ensure institutional efficiency. 

Required Qualifications for this position are as follows:

• An advanced degree (Master’s degree or equivalent).  
• Progressively responsible leadership experience and familiarity with emerging issues and trends in financial management in higher education.
• Experience engaging in public-private partnerships. 
• Experience developing, sustaining and successfully leading a sophisticated financial organization through recruitment and retention of a highly qualified, diverse staff.
• Demonstrated compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and financial standards established by GASB, as well as other applicable and externally mandated governance, policies, guidelines, and laws. 
• Experience managing a complex budget, integrating budget decisions with strategic planning, and ensuring institutional efficiency. 
• Demonstrated understanding of complex research budget portfolios composed of state funds, extramural funding from sponsored grants and contracts, facilities and administration costs, and licensing fees.
• Successful leadership experience in making tactical, strategic, and transparent decisions, and in leading others toward strategic outcomes. 
• The ability and commitment to safeguard all fiscal, human, technological and physical assets with ethical practices, strong internal controls, and corrective action to address audit findings.
• The ability to represent the University to external audiences including the Board of Trustees, Board of Governors, UNC System Office, and the local community. 
• The ability and commitment to build and maintain collaborative and consultative partnerships across organizational units and divisions.
• An understanding and strong appreciation of the mission, values, and principles of Appalachian State University. 
• Effective communication and excellent supervisory and management skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment 

Institution name:*  Appalachian State University

Institution web site:*  https://www.appstate.edu/

Additional information: https://vcbasearch.appstate.edu/

Employment Level:*

Executive

Employment Type:*  Full-Time

Candidates Should Apply *

Online: https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/31128