Strategic CFO & VP, Higher Education Finance

Ashland University Bookstore; Ashland (OH); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Ashland University seeks a strategic and collaborative Chief Financial Officer to align financial resources with institutional priorities and position the University for long-term resilience. Reporting to the President, the CFO will serve on the Executive Leadership Team and advise on strategy, performance, and capital priorities.

The CFO will oversee budgeting, cash and debt management, financial planning, audits, and compliance, while partnering with Enrollment Management and Financial Aid to

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in business or finance is required.
• Five or more years of executive level financial management experience.
• Strong budgeting, planning, forecasting, reporting, audits, internal controls, and regulatory compliance expertise.
• Solid knowledge of higher education finance, financial systems, and risk management.
• Strong strategic, analytical, leadership and communication skills for clear financial messaging.
• Commitment to the university’s mission, values, and student-centered culture.

Responsibilities

• Advise the President and Executive Leadership Team on financial strategy, performance, risk, capital priorities, and major investments.
• Update and work with the Board on financial health and status, including Finance, Investment and Audit, and Compliance subcommittees.
• Develop long-range forecasts to preserve financial flexibility amid enrollment and economic changes.
• Lead and implement short- and long-term financial, operational, and capital plans.
• Oversee cash management, debt management, budgeting, accounting services, student accounts, and payroll.
• Provide executive leadership to the Business Office.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, accreditation, and bondholder requirements; oversee audits.
• Partner with Enrollment Management and Financial Aid for tuition pricing and net-tuition-revenue planning.
• Analyze enrollment trends and program-level financial performance to strengthen resilience.
• Support development of diversified revenue streams beyond tuition.

Skills

Executive leadership

Financial management

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial reporting

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Strategic communication

Higher education finance

Education

Graduate degree in business or finance

Tools

Ellucian Colleague

Job description

Ashland University seeks a strategic and collaborative Chief Financial Officer to align financial resources with institutional priorities and position the University for long-term resilience. Reporting to the President, the CFO will serve on the Executive Leadership Team and advise on strategy, performance, and capital priorities.

The CFO will oversee budgeting, cash and debt management, financial planning, audits, and compliance, while partnering with Enrollment Management and Financial Aid to