Deputy Chief Financial Officer

Colorado School of Mines; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 240,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible health and dental

Retirement plan

Tuition benefits

RTD Ecopass

On-campus daycare

Job summary

Colorado School of Mines is seeking a Deputy Chief Financial Officer to lead financial planning, risk management, and administrative operations in Colorado. The role partners with the CFO and COO to advance fiscal health and institutional priorities aligning with academic and research growth.

The Deputy CFO will supervise core financial functions, develop long-term financial forecasts, optimize processes, and promote data-driven decision support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or business is required.
• CPA license OR a Master's degree in accounting or MBA is strongly preferred.
• Minimum 15 years in financial operations with broad leadership responsibilities.
• Experience managing multi-portfolio finances and complex positions ≥ $500M.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial leadership for planning, forecasting, and reserves.
• Oversee Accounting, Research Administration, Procure-to-Pay, Treasury, and systems.
• Align financial and operational performance with institutional priorities.
• Represent the university externally and partner with stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial planning

Risk management

Communication

Data analytics

Education

Bachelor's in accounting/finance/business

CPA or MBA/Master in accounting

Tools

Workday

ERP systems

Job description

Engineering a world of possibilitiesReporting to the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer, the Deputy Chief Financial Officer (Deputy CFO) is a strategic leader responsible for advancing the University's financial sustainability, operational effectiveness, and administration capabilities. The role provides leadership for financial planning, resource stewardship, business process improvement, risk management, and organizational performance, ensuring financial and administrative operations align with institutional priorities and support the University's academic, research, and growth objectives.The areas of oversight for the Deputy CFO are Accounting, Research Administration, Procure to Pay, Financial Planning and Analysis, Treasury, and the Business Systems Functional Team. Specific to those areas, the functions are financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management and reserve levels, debt capacity, student accounts, purchasing and payments, and administrative systems.Strategic Financial LeadershipThe Deputy CFO serves as a strategic partner to the CFO and executive leadership team, providing leadership and guidance on matters affecting the University's financial health, sustainability, and growth. The Deputy CFO helps develop and implement financial strategies that align resources with institutional priorities, support academic and research excellence, and ensure the University's continued ability to achieve its mission. The position also evaluates the financial impact of new initiatives, enrollment trends, legislative changes, and economic conditions, while ensuring compliance with applicable policies and regulations.The Deputy CFO is responsible for monitoring and assessing the University's overall financial condition, including operating performance, liquidity, reserves, debt capacity, and long-term financial forecasts. The position develops recommendations and strategies to maintain fiscal strength, financial resilience, and an appropriate balance between current operational needs and future investment opportunities.The Deputy CFO will also represent the institution externally, partnering closely with business and financial leaders to incorporate best practices in all areas reporting to the Deputy CFO, working with outside higher education research companies, relevant trade organizations, the State of Colorado on funding and compliance, and interfacing with other university or industry partners.Operational ExcellenceThe Deputy CFO will lead financial, administrative, and research operations, ensuring that key University business processes are streamlined, effective, efficient, stable, and mature. The position is responsible for advancing a culture of continuous improvement through business process re-engineering initiatives that simplify workflows, eliminate redundancies, strengthen internal controls, improve service delivery, and optimize the use of technology. The Deputy CFO will ensure that operational processes are scalable, sustainable, and aligned with institutional goals while providing the leadership and resources necessary to support organizational success.Data Analytics, Financial Modeling, and Decision SupportThe Deputy CFO will establish and advance financial analytics, forecasting, and modeling capabilities that support strategic and operational decision-making across the University. The position ensures leaders have access to timely, accurate, and actionable information to evaluate opportunities, assess risks, allocate resources, and measure performance against institutional objectives.Risk Management and ComplianceThe Deputy CFO partners with university leadership to identify, assess, and mitigate financial and operational risks that may impact the institution's ability to achieve its strategic objectives. The position ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and sponsor requirements while promoting a strong culture of accountability, transparency, and stewardship.Service Excellence and Stakeholder PartnershipThe Deputy CFO partners closely with academic and administrative departments to understand their needs and provide responsive, value-added financial, administrative, and research administration services. The position fosters a culture of customer service excellence, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement, ensuring that financial and operational processes effectively support the University's teaching, research, and public service missions.Minimum QualificationsAt least a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university in accounting, finance, or businessCertified Public Accountant (CPA) license OR a Master’s Degree in Accounting, Master’s Degree in Business Administration or related degreeAt least 15 years experience in financial operations and progressive leadership across a complex and broad portfolio that must have included at least:12 years of experience leading multi-portfolio teams10 years accounting, financial planning and analysis, treasury management experience and financial systemsDocumented experience managing complex financial positions, $500 million or greaterDemonstrated track record of success building relationships and collaborating broad range of stakeholders both internally and externallyPreferred QualificationsPrior experience higher educationExperience in an R1 research setting is highly preferredCPA license and Master’s Degree in Accounting, or MBA preferredPrior experience working in Workday, or similar complex enterprise level systemPrevious experience collaborating with state, local and Federal partners highly desiredCompetenciesVisionary leadership with the ability to drive institutional changeDeep understanding of higher education operations and governanceStrong financial, analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skillsAbility to balance strategic priorities with day-to-day operational demandsDemonstrated experience effectively communicating mission, vision and strategy at all organizational levelsTotal RewardsSalary: Rate of $240,000.00 - $280,000 annuallyMines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.BenefitsColorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:Flexible health and dental care optionsGenerous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for the entire campus.Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contributionTuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)Free RTD EcopassAll Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state-of-the-art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on-campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.How to ApplyComplete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status)Upload a resume or CV (REQUIRED)Upload a cover letter (REQUIRED)Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy based on business needs.Please note: References will not be contacted until later in the selection process, and you will be informed before that contact is made.This posting will remain open until filled but may close without notice or be extended as needed. For best consideration, apply soon.Conditions of EmploymentSuccessful completion of a background investigation, including a credit check is required for this position.Additional Information and Reasonable Accommodation RequestsIt is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at [e-mail] or 303.273.3250 for assistance.Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.Equal OpportunityColorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce.Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting