Chief Financial Officer

Northeastern University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 376,000 - 560,000; Full time

Job summary

Northeastern University in Boston seeks a Chief Financial Officer to serve as the senior financial leader, driving the institution's financial strategy and long-term sustainability in support of its academic, research, and student missions.

The CFO will oversee budgeting, forecasting, accounting, treasury, debt and capital planning, endowment leadership, tax compliance, procurement, payroll, and internal controls, while advising the President and Board on financial strategy and risk.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, economics, or related field.
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible financial management experience, including at least five (5) years at senior executive level.
• Experience in budgeting, financial planning and analysis, accounting, financial reporting, treasury and debt management, capital planning, endowment management, and financial risk management.
• Ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable guidance for non-financial audiences.
• Experience managing significant budgets and resources within a decentralized, multi-unit organization.
• Experience with higher education financial models, including tuition revenue, endowment resources, F&A cost recovery, and financial aid discounting.
• Experience with institutional transformation or significant organizational change.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the University's financial strategy and long-range plans.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, FP&A, accounting, reporting, treasury, and debt management.
• Lead endowment leadership and capital planning activities.
• Ensure internal controls and financial risk management across units.
• Advise the President and Board on complex financial matters and long-term implications.
• Represent the University to external constituencies, including rating agencies and donors.

Skills

Financial leadership

Budgeting & forecasting

Strategic planning

Executive communication

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Job description

About the Opportunity

About the Role

The University seeks a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to serve as its senior financial executive and to provide strategic and operational leadership for the institution's financial affairs. Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Finance & Administration, the CFO is responsible for the University's long-term financial sustainability, financial integrity, regulatory compliance, and prudent stewardship of resources in support of its academic, research, student, and institutional mission.

Responsibilities

The CFO oversees the development and execution of the University's financial strategy, including:

• Budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning and analysis
• Accounting and financial reporting
• Treasury and cash management
• Debt and capital planning
• Endowment leadership
• Tax compliance and reporting
• Procurement and payroll
• Internal controls and financial risk management

The CFO partners closely with the President, the Board of Trustees and its Finance, Audit and Risk, and Investment Committees, and academic and administrative leaders to translate institutional priorities into sustainable financial strategies and decisions. The CFO serves as a strategic advisor to the President and University leadership, providing clear, timely, and actionable analysis of financial performance, risks, opportunities, and the long-term implications of institutional decisions.

The CFO is also a principal representative of the University to external constituencies, including credit rating agencies, bondholders and the municipal securities market, external and federal auditors, banking and investment partners, donors, and regulatory agencies.

Leadership Expectations

The CFO fosters a culture of accountability, transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement, and ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, accounting standards, and University policies. The successful candidate will model inclusive, collegial leadership and build a finance organization recognized across the institution for analytical rigor, service orientation, and integrity.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, economics, or a related field
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible financial management experience, including at least five (5) years leading a complex finance organization at a senior executive level
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting, financial planning and analysis, accounting, financial reporting, treasury and debt management, capital planning, endowment management, and financial risk management
• Experience advising senior executives and governing boards on complex financial matters, with the ability to translate technical financial information into clear, actionable guidance for non-financial audiences
• Experience managing significant budgets, financial resources, and organizational complexity within a decentralized, multi-unit enterprise
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute long-term financial strategies, including multi-year financial modeling, scenario planning, and sensitivity analysis
• Experience with higher education financial models, including tuition revenue, enrollment forecasting, restricted funds, endowment resources and spending policy, sponsored research and facilities and administrative (F&A) cost recovery, financial aid discounting, auxiliaries, and capital financing
• Experience with institutional transformation, financial restructuring, or significant organizational change
• Senior financial leadership experience in higher education or another complex, mission-driven organization

Position Type

Finance

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type: 119S

Expected Hiring Range: $376,385.00 - $559,872.50

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.