Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

Rice University; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Rice University in Houston, Texas seeks a strategic, innovative CFO & Treasurer to lead the financial future of a major private research university. This executive will oversee a broad portfolio and guide financial planning, capital investment, and risk management, contributing to Rice's Momentous10-year plan and growth initiatives.

The CFO will partner with the President and Board, drive resources allocation, and expand the university's endowment and revenue options through disciplined

Qualifications

Responsibilities

• Oversee a broad portfolio including the Controller's Office, Budget Office, Office of Research Administration, Procurement, and Risk Management.
• Manage the $1.2 billion budget and serve as a strategic partner to senior leadership.
• Guide institutional decision-making related to financial planning, resource allocation, capital investment, debt strategy, and risk management.

Skills

Financial leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder collaboration

Job description

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
Rice University
Houston, Texas

THE SEARCH

Rice University, among the nation’s most ambitious and renowned private research universities, seeks a strategic, innovative, and collaborative leader to serve as its Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer (CFO). Reporting to the Executive Vice President for Operations, Finance & Support (EVP-OF&S) and sitting on the President’s Cabinet, the CFO will join Rice at an exciting inflection point in its history. As the University makes significant strides towards realizing its bold Momentous10-year strategic plan, the CFO will play a central role in stewarding resources, evaluating opportunities, and translating the University’s ambitions into sustainable financial plans.

Rice is in a remarkable period of evolution, pursuing growth across research, enrollment, academic programs, and faculty hiring, while simultaneously investing in new facilities, interdisciplinary initiatives, student experiences, and emerging areas such as artificial intelligence. Rice’s position of considerable financial strength has enabled this transformation, supported by a growing endowment, strong philanthropic momentum, and strong leadership. Entering Rice at this exciting moment, the CFO will be tasked with addressing how best to harness the University’s resources, manage competing priorities, and make disciplined investments that support continued growth and amplify impact.

The CFO will oversee a broad portfolio that includes the Controller's Office, Budget Office, Office of Research Administration, Procurement, and Risk Management. The CFO will manage the $1.2 billion budget and serve as a strategic partner to the President, Provost, EVP-Operations, Finance, & Support, and Board of Trustees. Through a combination of financial expertise, creativity, sound judgement, and collaboration, the CFO will guide institutional decision-making related to financial planning, resource allocation, capital investment, debt strategy, research growth, operational effectiveness, and risk management.

The ideal candidate will be a forward-looking leader who embraces innovation and continuous improvement. The incoming CFO will bring an exceptional financial depth across the full balance sheet, including capital structure and debt capacity, endowment and long-range financial planning, and the economics of a major research enterprise. Equally this leader will be a resource and enterprising in expanding Rice’s resource base, with the judgment to structure novel financing approaches, develop new sources of revenue, and convert institutional ambition into fundable plans. The CFO will bring a deep appreciation for the academic mission, a demonstrated ability to lead through growth and change, and a track record of supporting major capital projects and leveraging emerging technologies to support sophisticated decision-making. Equally important, the CFO will thrive within Rice's relationship-driven culture, building trust across the University while helping leaders navigate tradeoffs and seize opportunities that advance Rice's mission and ambitions.

Rice University has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist with this important search. Confidential applications, inquiries, and nominations should be directed to the search firm as indicated below:

https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/rice-university/vice-president-chief-financial-officer-and-treasurer

Daniel Rodas, Partner
Amble Ryan, Managing Associate
Nicole Sancilio, Associate
Tiffany Hendren, Senior Search Coordinator
Isaacson, Miller

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at [e-mail] for support.