Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration - Society for College and University Planning

Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration

Posted: 9/18/24
Deadline: 11/4/24

About This Organization

University of Missouri- Kansas City

Job Duties

The Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (VCFA) at the University of Missouri- Kansas City (UMKC) is a key visionary and innovative leader on the chancellor’s executive team, responsible for budgetary and financial accountability, optimizing fiscal and physical resources, and crafting strategies to support the university’s institutional priorities. This role oversees or supports all campus finance functions, including budgeting, procurement, accounting, payroll, and financial management, while ensuring fiscal and legal compliance. Additionally, the VCFA leads various administrative and support operations, such as facilities services, environmental health and safety, real estate, and university police, ensuring the smooth functioning of the university. Reporting to the chancellor and accountable to the executive vice president for finance and operations and CFO at the University of Missouri System (UM System), the VCFA not only serves as the chief financial officer but also drives improvements to the university’s business model, operational effectiveness, and process efficiency, working collaboratively to meet the university’s academic mission.

Job Functions
• Lead the strategic financial management in support of the university’s vision and academic missions, including overseeing the campus budget.
• Help create and implement growth strategies that generate new and enhanced revenue streams, as well as identify opportunities to enhance the efficiency and impact of the institution.
• Direct and participate in acquisition and growth activities to support overall business objectives and plans, including on-campus and off-campus projects.
• A core focus area is the physical campus, to enhance the student experience, and support faculty and staff goals.
• Help shape, drive and continually enhance the university business model, as well as an F&A vision and capabilities that meet the university’s mission, create stakeholder value, and are sustainable. Provides financial leadership to the institution, contributing to the overall strategy and operational goals of the university from a broad business perspective and with a focus on both influencing change and most effectively deploying the university’s financial resources.
• Model, evaluate and advise on the financial impact of proposed decisions, policies and strategies. Provide recommendations to strategically enhance financial performance and business opportunities. Translate the university’s strategic and tactical business plans into financial plans. Develop and continually evaluate the university’s short and long-term strategic financial objectives.
• Represent the university on budgetary and administrative matters with state government, UM System administration, the Board of Curators, private sector and the general public.
• Serve on the chancellor’s leadership team and as the chancellor’s representative on various state, local and community boards and authorities.
• Oversee and direct all campus finance functions, including budgeting and planning, contracts and leases, procurement and contracting, surplus and asset management, operations, accounting, financial management and reporting, cash collections and management, accounts receivable, payroll, purchasing, inventory, risk management, capital budget planning and analysis, and internal control for fiscal and legal compliance.
• Lead the administrative and support operations of the university:
o Facilities Services including Facilities Operations (Maintenance, Grounds and Custodial),
Capital Planning, Design, Construction and Space Management
o Environmental Health and Safety
o Mail Services
o Real Estate
o University Police, including Safety and Security and Parking
o Fiscal Services, including Budget and Accounting, Fiscal Managers, and Cashier’s Office, and
Student Loans
• Fulfill other responsibilities as assigned.

Supervision Exercised
Administrative and general supervision may be exercised over managerial, professional, paraprofessional, temporary or student staff and contractors. Direct reports include: director of facility operations; director of facilities planning design and construction; finance operations manager; director of budget and planning; director of cashiers, student loans; director of environmental health and safety; university police chief; and senior executive assistant.

Opportunities and Expectations for Leadership
The next VCFA will play a key leadership role in addressing the following priorities, among others:
• Cultivate, evaluate and implement new ideas and strategies.
• Advance the objectives of the university’s Master Plan.
• Work collaboratively with key partners.
• Build a strong team and empower them to succeed.

Required Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications
• A Master’s degree in a relevant area and 10 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and
skills can be acquired or a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area and 12 years of experience from which
comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications
• A master’s degree in accounting, finance, economics or similar area of study.
• An active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.
• Successful experience in higher education, but relevant experience outside higher education will also be
considered.
• Proven expertise in managing capital projects and real estate development, including comprehensive
construction management from planning to completion. Strong background in project financing, with a
focus on public-private partnerships (P3s) and innovative funding models. Deep understanding of real
estate complexities, including regulatory compliance, risk management, and stakeholder engagement,
ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Experienced in assessing and managing the maintenance needs of facilities, ensuring that critical
projects are identified and addressed promptly to maintain optimal operational efficiency and safety.
• Personal attributes should include strategic vision, energy, innovative problem-solving approach, and
the highest professional integrity and commitment to ethical decision-making.
• Successful candidates will have strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work
effectively with a wide range of constituencies in academia, business and government, as well as
strategic planning and advanced, forward thinking leadership skills.
• Candidates must have a strong commitment to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for
all individuals.
• Experience with strategic planning and campus master planning, and the ability to apply critical,
conceptual and strategic thinking to important financial, academic and administrative issues across
the university.
• Experience and expertise in strategic, comprehensive, multi-year budget development and
implementation, in-depth knowledge of a wide variety of financing techniques, financial and ratio
analysis and data systems and policies.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate staff to provide a high standard of service.
• Knowledge and understanding of a shared governance system.
• Understanding of and commitment to the mission, vision and values of an urban research university and
a willingness to play an active role in the life of the university.
• Previous participation in related professional organizations.

Other Info

Procedure for Candidacy
All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile and a CV or resume. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by November 4, 2024.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to UM System Executive Recruitment Team, umhrexecutivesearch@umsystem.edu

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeo.

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