Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Clemson University invites nominations and applications for the role of Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The CFO provides leadership, management, and oversight of the University's Division of Finance, an enterprise portfolio that includes financial operations, budget and financial planning, capital planning, facilities, university real estate, insurance and risk services, environmental health and safety, and the municipal court, among other areas.

The CFO plays a vital role in safeguarding Clemson's financial health and positioning the University for long-term success. Core responsibilities include setting financial policies, accounting standards, and internal controls; providing executive oversight of audited financial statements, the annual budget, and required federal and state submissions; and ensuring the efficient operation of the University’s accounting, budgeting, and procurement systems. The CFO also leads the strategy for long-range operating and capital financial planning across the enterprise, ensuring financial strategies align with institutional strategic plans and guide strategic decision-making by the President and senior administrators.

The CFO reports to the President and serves as a key member of the senior leadership team. The CFO is the financial executive liaison to the Board of Trustees and its relevant committees, serves on key University committees at the President's direction, and represents the University as a financial spokesperson with internal and external stakeholders, including rating agencies, financial advisors, and the University's related organizations.

• Formulate and implement enterprise financial policies and procedures, accounting standards, and a strong system of internal controls.
• Hold responsibility for all University financings.
• Monitor the enterprise’s financial health, including the University and its related organizations, and keep the President informed of challenges and opportunities.
• Provide executive oversight of annual financial reports, including audited financial statements, the annual budget documentation, and required federal and state submissions, prepared by the University Controller and financial operations teams.
• Ensure the efficient and accurate operation of the University's accounting, budgeting, and procurement systems.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, applicable laws and regulations, and University financial policies.
• Provide executive-level oversight of student financial services and associated systems, which are managed within the Office of the University Controller.

• Lead the strategy for long-range operating and capital financial planning, coordinating the collective work of the budget, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), and business intelligence (BI) teams.
• Evaluate and analyze partnerships and strategic initiatives, including those involving related organizations.
• Guide the development of analytical frameworks and models that inform decision-making by the President and senior administrators.
• Lead comprehensive, efficient resource planning to effectively maximize the University's financial resources across all fund types.
• Direct the analysis of metrics and financial indicators, assess their impact on the enterprise balance sheet, and make recommendations to the President.

• Provide leadership and a comprehensive understanding of the full enterprise financial portfolio, including Education and General (E&G), auxiliary, restricted, grants, contracts, philanthropic, and other related-organization finances.
• Engage with the boards and leadership of the University's…