Chief Financial Services Officer & Deputy Chief Financial Officer, SF Bay Area Region Network

The California State University; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 203,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading higher education institution in California seeks a Chief Financial Services Officer to provide strategic leadership for financial operations across several campuses. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in financial services and leadership within higher education. This position offers hybrid work arrangements and a competitive salary range of $270,000 to $285,000 annually.

Benefits

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits

Generous vacation plan and paid holidays

Tuition waiver program for employees and family members

Qualifications

• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in financial services required.
• Eight years of leadership experience required.
• Higher education, multi-campus system, or public-sector experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for financial service operations across the Network.
• Serve as the principal financial liaison between Network Financial Services and campus leadership.
• Lead and mentor the Financial Services team.

Skills

Analytical skills

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Master’s degree

Tools

PeopleSoft Financial Systems

Job description

Are you an accomplished financial leader ready to reimagine how higher education delivers financial services at scale? Join the San Francisco Bay Region Network (SFBRN) as the Chief Financial Services Officer and Deputy Chief Financial Officer, providing visionary leadership for a unified financial organization serving three universities. This is a rare opportunity to guide enterprise-level shared services while also serving as the Deputy CFO for your home campus, advising campus executives on financial planning, budget strategy, and resource stewardship.

This position is open to current CSU employees only and will be located at one of the three participating campuses : San Francisco State University, Sonoma State University, or California State University East Bay.

Chancellor's Office Statement

The CSU Chancellor's Office is the headquarters for the nation's largest and most diverse system of higher education.

Organization Statement

The San Francisco Bay Region Network (SFBRN) provides integrated, cost-efficient administrative and transactional services to California State University, East Bay (CSUEB), San Francisco State University (SFSU), and Sonoma State University (SSU). By delivering shared services across three campuses, the Network enables collaboration, efficiency, and innovation that supports student success and operational excellence across the region.

Salary

The anticipated salary range is between $270,000 and $285,000 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Classification

Administrator IV>

Work Arrangements

This position is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and includes flexibility for hybrid work with regular travel across the three Network universities to support operational and collaborative needs.

Premium Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits
• Generous vacation plan and paid holidays
• Tuition waiver program for employees and eligible family members

Membership in CalPERS

Professional development support and opportunities for regional and systemwide collaboration

Position Information

The SFBRN is seeking a dynamic and forward‑thinking Chief Financial Services Officer and Deputy Chief Financial Officer to provide senior‑level strategic and operational leadership for the Network’s Financial Services unit. This role leads shared financial operations—including procurement, accounts payable, and additional financial functions as they are integrated—across CSUEB, SFSU, and SSU.

Dual Role : Network Leadership and Campus Leadership

In addition to serving as the senior financial leader for Network Financial Services, this position simultaneously serves as the Deputy Chief Financial Officer for the university at which the incumbent is based. Responsibilities include :

• Serving as the principal financial liaison between Network Financial Services and campus executive leadership.
• Leading campus‑level budgeting, financial planning, accounting, and fiscal policy strategy.
• Advising the President’s Cabinet and senior leadership on fiscal integrity and long‑term sustainability.
• Ensuring campus‑specific financial needs and priorities are reflected in Network service delivery.
• Supporting transparent governance, equity‑minded resource allocation, and student‑centered decision making.

Network Responsibilities

Reporting to the Network Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the incumbent provides executive leadership for shared financial services across the three universities—ensuring excellence, accountability, compliance, and innovation. The role includes serving as the final point of escalation for Network‑wide financial issues and as a strategic advisor on fiscal operations, technology‑enabled transformation, and risk mitigation.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Oversight & Operational Management (40%) : Provide leadership for financial service operations across the Network; establish performance metrics; ensure compliance, high‑quality service delivery, and technology‑enabled innovation; guide the evolution of the shared services model.
• Leadership & Supervision (30%) : Lead and mentor the Financial Services team; foster a culture of inclusion, collaboration, transparency, and accountability; align financial resources, staffing, and service portfolios with strategic priorities.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement (10%) : Champion digital transformation, improved analytics, automation, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Project Planning & Management (10%) : Oversee large‑scale financial projects and cross‑campus initiatives to ensure timely, cost‑effective implementation.
• Communications & Training (5%) : Ensure clarity, consistency, and accessibility of financial documentation, training resources, and communications.
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (5%) : Advance the Network’s values of service, accountability, equity, belonging, and ethical stewardship.

Qualifications

3>Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• In lieu of a degree, ten years of relevant leadership experience required.

Experience

• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in financial services required.
• Eight years of leadership experience required.
• Higher education, multi‑campus system, or public‑sector experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep understanding of financial laws and compliance.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and communication skills.
• Experience leading digital transformation.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Knowledge of PeopleSoft Financial Systems preferred.

Professional Credentials

• CPA, CMA, or CFA preferred.

Application Period

Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by November 30, 2025 . Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.

How to Apply

Please click 'Apply Now' to complete the CSU Chancellor's Office online application.

For questions regarding this search, please contact :

• Dale, Assistant Director, Systemwide Talent Acquisition at

E-Verify

This position requires new hire employment verification to be processed through the E-Verify program administered by the Department of Homeland Security, . Citizenship and Immigration Services (DHSUSCIS)' in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

If hired, you will be required to furnish proof that you are legally authorized to work in the United States. The CSU Chancellor’s Office is not a sponsoring agency for staff and Management positions (., H1‑B VISAS).

COVID19 Vaccination Policy

Per the , it is strongly recommended that all Chancellor’s Office employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID‑19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications.

Mandated Reporter Per CANRA

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Conflict of Interest

The duties of this position will include participation in decisions that may have a material financial benefit to the incumbent. Therefore, the selected candidate will be required to file Conflict of Interest Form 700 : Statement of Economic Interest when they first occupy the position, and on an annual basis, complete ethics training within 6 months of appointment, and attend this training every other year thereafter.

CSU Out of State Employment Policy

California State University, Office of the Chancellor, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022, the prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU‑related work outside the state of California.

Background

The Chancellor's Office policy requires that the selected candidate successfully complete a full background check (including a criminal records check) prior to assuming this position.