VP for Finance & Administration

Bluefield University; Bluefield (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Bluefield University seeks an experienced Vice President for Finance & Administration/Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to oversee financial operations, planning, and strategy. Reporting to the President, the CFO will shape the university's financial future while upholding a Christian mission.

Responsibilities include budgeting, five-year planning, endowment monitoring, and coordinating financial statements for audits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; an advanced degree or CPA preferred.
• Experience in university/non-profit accounting and GAAP financial statements.
• Proven leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage through a complex organization with multiple constituencies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the university-wide budgeting process and a five-year financial plan.
• Monitor endowment statements and coordinate GAAP financial statements for audits.
• Lead purchasing, accounts receivable/payable, payroll, and financial reporting.
• Direct staff management, evaluations, and staff/manual updates.
• Coordinate facilities, housing, outsourced services, and risk management.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Decision making

Negotiation

Collaboration

Financial systems

Multi-tasking

Transparency in management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree or CPA

Tools

Jenzabar

GAAP knowledge

Job description

PRIMARY PURPOSE/SCOPE

Bluefield University seeks an experienced and strategic Vice President for Finance & Administration/Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to oversee the university’s financial operations, planning, and strategy. Reporting directly to the President and serving on the Executive Leadership Team, the CFO will play a critical role in shaping the institution’s financial future, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and supporting the university’s mission of providing high-quality education in a Christian environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND FUNCTIONS

The essential duties, responsibilities, and functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

To oversee the financial administration of the University:

• Develop and manage a systematic University-wide annual budgeting process that projects expenditures and revenues and utilizes input from all appropriate areas of the University.
• Analyze, project, and monitor budget allocations and expenditures based on a five-year financial plan, including revenues, expenditures, and investments.
• Communicate consistent financial information to departmental budget managers to keep them constantly informed and within annual budget constraints.
• Prepare monthly managerial financial summary statements to be presented to the President and prepare a detailed quarterly financial statement to be presented to the President and Trustee Finance Committee. Prepare quarterly GAAP financial statements to be provided to financial institutions to which the University is obligated.
• Monitor monthly financial statements of the endowment investments and forward copies to the President and to the Chair of the Trustee Finance Committee.
• Manage and direct the university’s insurance and retirement programs, including risk management assessment.

To coordinate the personnel management of the institution:

• Manage the recruiting and hiring processes of the University to insure the quality of candidates and compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Coordinate and oversee an annual, systematic process of personnel evaluations to ensure the quality and professional growth of the administration, staff, and faculty.
• Manage the ongoing evaluation, revision, and production of a staff manual to ensure that it is accurate, current, and relevant to the University.
• Oversee staff development, training, and proficiency in areas such as customer service.

To manage and direct the financial and business services of the University:

• Oversee the operation of the University’s business services, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, and payroll.
• Manage the University’s accounting and reporting systems and procedures, including preparing detailed analyses and assisting with preparing financial statements for the annual audit.
• Develop and monitor an effective system of purchasing to ensure cost-effectiveness.

To oversee the management of the auxiliary services of the University:

• Develop and monitor a contract management system and negotiation with outsourced services on a three-year cycle to ensure cost containment and quality service.
• Coordinate the management of all facilities, including existing buildings and grounds, with the University’s outsourced service and develop and maintain a five-year facility management plan for the maintenance and renovation of the university’s facilities.
• Manage the University’s faculty/staff housing to ensure the upkeep and quality of the facilities (or buildings).
• Work cooperatively with the University’s outsourced service to provide students with the highest quality of food service.

To oversee and manage the computer services of the University:

• Evaluate, recommend, and monitor the appropriate University-wide administrative and academic software that will provide an efficient and effective, well-integrated, and documented computer system.
• Oversee the operation and personnel responsible for the University’s academic and administrative computer systems.

MARGINAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Serve as a non-voting member of the Trustee Finance Committee.

• Comply with all rules, policies, and procedures as established by Bluefield University.

• Perform such other duties as assigned by the President.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree and an advanced degree or CPA.
• Multiple years of accounting or business-related experience is required.
• Work experience in a university or university environment with an understanding of non-profit accounting, including preparation of General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) financial statements and the fiscal operations of an institution of higher education.
• Demonstrated leadership ability.
• Well-developed communication skills.
• Skilled decision-maker with transparency in decision-making and management.
• Strong negotiation, facilitation, and organizational skills.
• A history of successful collaboration with multiple constituencies.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Experience in financial systems is essential (knowledge of or experience with Jenzabar would be ideal).
• The ability to maintain collaborative working relations with students, faculty, staff, parents and other University constituencies, as well as the general public.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

• Profess Christian faith.
• Have a commitment to the Christian mission of the University, as well as a commitment to actively promote its vision, mission, and values.
• Professional appearance and presentation in the working environment (including business casual attire).

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

The VPFA/CFO is subject to an annual evaluation based on the job functions as set forth above.

Bluefield University is a Christ-centered learning community developing servant leaders to transform the world. We are looking to hire employees who will embrace this mission.

Bluefield University is a private, not-for-profit institution affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Bluefield University shall not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other basis on which the University is prohibited from discrimination under local, state, or federal law, in its employment or in the provision of its services, including but not limited to its programs and activities, admissions, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other University-administered programs. This institution encourages women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply.