Chief Financial Officer

Job no: 522497
Work type: Staff Full Time
Categories: Executive Positions

OFFICIAL JOB TITLE: Chief Financial Officer

DIVISION: Budget & Finance

DEPARTMENT: Budget & Finance

LOCATION: On-Site at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS: Non-Unit

EEO STATUS: 1.1

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Chancellor

SUPERVISES: Provides direct supervision to assigned administrative staff including the Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance and the Controller.

SUMMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet with responsibility for overall fiscal and budgetary planning and oversight, financial data analytics, forecasting, periodic and annual reporting, audit functions, and strategic alignment of financial activities with campus goals. Works closely with and leads or coordinates assigned activities with the Chancellor, Provost, Chief of Staff, Vice Chancellor for Administration & Facilities, Vice Chancellor for Human Resources, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, and other members of the Chancellor’s Cabinet.

A crucial part of those responsibilities is to continually improve financial and other reporting functions, with the goal of providing university leadership with most accurate and informative data possible to support strategic decision-making and fostering a climate of financial accountability and transparency. The CFO is responsible for developing a comprehensive picture of the university’s financial health, and will work collaboratively with all areas of the university to gather, assess and integrate information about key revenue and expense drivers, including admissions, student retention, housing, dining, staffing, payroll and other considerations. The CFO also will work closely with the Chancellor, Chief of Staff, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Administration & Facilities to plan for and prioritize capital projects at UMass Dartmouth, from ongoing critical repair projects to major renovations and the construction of new facilities. The CFO, in collaboration with the Chancellor, the Provost and other senior leaders, plays a critical role in future strategic planning, is an active participant in policy decision making of the campus, and is a key communicator about the university’s finances and business model with both internal and external constituencies. The CFO is responsible for auditing current budgetary practices and recommending an implementation plan to provide solutions to identified areas of concern.

The CFO will work closely and effectively with the UMass System’s Senior VP for Administration & Finance and Treasurer and their team on a regular basis to affirm the accuracy of the university’s financial information, assess progress against stated targets, and working with the Chief of Staff will prepare the Chancellor and other Cabinet members for Board of Trustees meetings, and respond to any informational needs of the UMass President’s Office. The CFO represents the campus at the UMass System meetings of campus Vice Chancellors for Administrative and Fiscal Services and with all other relevant external administrative and financial organizations and state agencies, and as assigned by the Chancellor. The CFO may also participate on community boards and organizations that enhance the campus’s public service mission.

EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as a strategic partner to the Chancellor and senior leadership in aligning operational and financial resources with overarching campus goals and vision.
• Has oversight and responsibility for effective fiscal operations and reporting, administrative and procurement services.
• Proactively advises and educates the Cabinet and other key stakeholders on all aspects that financially impact campus operations, including financial planning, budgeting and analysis, controllership, and revenue cycle functions.
• Develops an executive summary dashboard that gives a comprehensive overview of the university’s key revenue and expense drivers, and provides effective management information to support strategic decision-making on a wide range of issues.
• Develops, interprets, and communicates campus policies on finance, accounting, budgeting, insurance, financial and accounting systems, internal controls and auditing.
• Develops and communicates annual operating and capital budgets and leads the campus annual budget process.
• Develops and maintains systems of internal controls to safeguard the financial integrity of the campus, monitors campus contracts, and ensures compliance with government regulations and higher education peer standards.
• Ensures customer service and work quality expectations are defined and met, as well as implements best practices and innovations.
• Chairs UMass Dartmouth’s Budget Review Board and serves as the campus financial liaison to appropriate University committees, community task forces, and external agencies, as well as the University President’s Office, the UMass Dartmouth Foundation, etc.
• Other duties as needed and assigned by the Chancellor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION:

Master’s Degree or higher in a relevant field or an equivalent record of professional achievement and qualification with increasing levels of demonstrated success.

EXPERIENCE:

Experience as a Senior Administrator with a track record of leadership and management accomplishments and an energetic, collaborative, and entrepreneurial style. Thorough knowledge or extensive experience in public sector budget development and management, government and business accounting theory and practice and other fiscal operations. A record of demonstrated leadership with progressively greater responsibility for the management and administration of the fiscal affairs of a large organization or institution.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Demonstrated technical knowledge and skill and expertise in financial management.
• Demonstrated ability to be an active participant in planning and policy decision making of the campus.
• Excellent knowledge of data analysis and forecasting methods.
• Proficient in the use of MS Office and financial management software.
• Ability to strategize and solve problems.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of large organizations with the ability to establish good working relations with faculty, staff, students, alumni and other University groups.
• Familiarity with or ability to acquire familiarity with the rules, regulations, policies and laws governing receipt, expenditure and other management activities of state, federal, endowment and other funds.
• Familiarity with or ability to integrate current technology and best practices into all of the functional areas of the Division.

Salary to commensurate with experience.

UMass Dartmouth offers exciting benefits such as:

75% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Life Insurance
Long Term Disability
State Pension Retirement Plan
Optional Retirement Savings Plans
Tuition Credit (Employee, Spouse, & Dependents)
Twelve (12) paid holidays.
Paid personal, vacation, and sick time.
And more!

Benefits for Non-Unit Professional: Non-Unit Professional

Applicants must be authorized for employment in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship not available.

To apply please submit a letter of interest, current resume and the contact information for three professional references.

Advertised: 11 Mar 2024 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: