Vice President of Finance

McMurry University; Abilene (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

McMurry University is seeking a Vice President for Finance and Administration to serve as CFO, providing strategic leadership and oversight of the university’s financial health and administration. The role reports to the President and participates in the President’s Cabinet to ensure fiscal integrity and operational efficiency.

The position requires deep experience in budgeting, capital planning, ERP systems, and data-driven forecasting to support the university’s mission and strategic goals.

Qualifications

• Requires CPA certification and a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years in financial operations with at least 5 in leadership in higher education or nonprofit.
• Strong GAAP/FASB knowledge and endowment management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting, financial reporting, investment management, and long-term planning.
• Oversee capital planning, multi-fund accounting, and debt infrastructure.
• Collaborate with Board committees on financial strategy and governance.
• Provide data-driven insights to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Represent the university in external engagements with auditors and regulators.

Skills

Financial leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Team leadership

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA certification

Tools

Jenzabar

Banner

Workday

ERP data visualization tools

Job description

Position Summary

The Vice President for Finance and Administration serves as McMurry University’s Chief Financial Officer, providing strategic leadership and oversight of the university’s financial health and administrative operations. Reporting directly to the President and serving as a key member of the President’s Cabinet, this role supports the institution's mission, vision, and strategic goals by ensuring fiscal integrity, operational efficiency, and a robust infrastructure to support the university community.

Major/Essential Duties:

Financial Leadership

• Lead all financial operations, including budgeting, financial reporting, investment management, and long-term financial planning.
• Collaborate with the Board of Trustees’ Finance, Endowment, and Audit Committees to establish financial goals and strategies.
• Develop, monitor, and report on the university’s annual operating and capital budgets, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Oversee the management and performance of the university’s invested financial assets in partnership with the Endowment Committee.
• Foster collaborative relationships with external financial advisors, including auditors, investment managers, and banking institutions.
• Provide transparent, data-driven financial insights to stakeholders, including senior leadership, faculty, and staff.

Administrative Leadership

• Supervise key leadership roles, such as the Controller Accountants and Grant Accountants.
• Develop and implement long-term campus master planning, property acquisition, and infrastructure development strategies.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations and standards.

Institutional Leadership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the President and Cabinet on resource allocation and operational strategies to achieve institutional goals.
• Represent the university in interactions with external stakeholders, including auditors, legal advisors, and government agencies.
• Provide leadership for Board of Trustees presentations and updates, including preparation for committee meetings.

Fund Accounting & Capital Planning:

• Deep technical knowledge of multi-fund accounting (GAAP). They must understand how to manage restricted vs. unrestricted funding and oversee long-term capital bonds or campus facility debt infrastructure.

Enterprise ERP Management:

• Practical experience overseeing or upgrading complex Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (such as Jenzabar, Banner, or Workday) and utilizing data visualization tools for campus-wide forecasting.

Relational Leadership & Shared Governance

Mission Alignment:

• Private, faith-based institutions require leaders who support the university's holistic mission, viewing financial health as a means to enhance student persistence and success.

Collaborative Change Management:

• The capacity to break down silos and communicate transparently with academic deans, faculty senates, and student affairs. They must be able to translate complex financial realities into accessible narratives for non-financial campus stakeholders

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• CPA certification (active licensure).
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in financial operations, with at least five years in higher education or a comparable non-profit setting.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, FASB standards, and endowment management principles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
• Proven track record of leading successful strategic planning and financial initiatives in a complex organization.
• Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and financial technologies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expertise in financial forecasting, budget management, and compliance reporting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across diverse constituencies.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to analyze complex financial data and provide actionable recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teams, fostering a culture of accountability and innovation.
• Familiarity with the unique financial and operational challenges facing higher education institutions.

EEO Statement

McMurry University is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the university community and prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, disability or veteran status, in employment or the provision of services, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is also prohibited pursuant to University policy.