Cleary University - Chief Financial Officer

Cleary University Chief Financial Officer

Cleary University seeks a strategic and entrepreneurial Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to guide the financial strategy of a growing and rapidly evolving private university based in Howell, Michigan. In recent years, Cleary has strengthened its financial foundation, doubled enrollment, and developed a distinctive reputation for accelerated degree pathways serving working adults. These offerings have generated thousands of incremental enrollments with a 78% retention rate and a strong job placement rate, reflecting the strength of Cleary’s workforce‑aligned model and its growing regional reputation.

Reporting directly to President Alan Drimmer and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, the CFO will work closely with the President to guide financial strategy, strengthen institutional planning and investments in financial systems, and support the university’s continued growth and innovation. The successful candidate will join a nimble leadership team and help build the financial frameworks needed to support program expansion, national initiatives, and new strategic ventures, while ensuring that financial strategy remains closely aligned with Cleary’s mission of preparing career‑ready graduates.

This role offers the chance to build sophisticated segment‑level economics, optimize pricing and discount strategies across diverse student populations, and deploy capital in ways that directly fuel enrollment growth, program innovation, and long‑term financial sustainability.

• National expansion of accelerated programs in several major metropolitan cities and consideration of a for‑profit entity to support growth.
• Development of new schools and academic programs aligned with labor market trends.
• Rollout of an innovative career development pathway model.
• New philanthropy initiatives, including the development of a capital campaign.
• Expansion of campus footprint.

• Serve as a strategic partner to the President and executive leadership team in aligning financial planning with institutional priorities, program innovation, and long‑term growth initiatives.
• Develop and monitor financial models, analyses, and interpretation of statistical and accounting information to assess operating results.
• Oversee the University’s system of accounts and records on all University transactions and assets.
• Coordinate and direct the preparation of the budget and financial forecasts.
• Establish major financial objectives and policies for the institution and prepare reports that outline the University’s financial position in the areas of income, expenses and earnings based on past, present and future operations.
• Collaborate with advancement leadership to support evolving philanthropic efforts and ensure strong financial infrastructure for future fundraising initiatives.

• Knowledge of university administration and the principles and practices of financial management.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and complex tasks simultaneously.
• Experience with automated accounting systems and financial reporting tools.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders across the university.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, including supervising staff, delegating responsibilities, and fostering a collaborative team environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain a high level of confidentiality, and uphold institutional policies and priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to connect financial strategy with institutional mission and student outcomes.

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, accounting, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in accounting or financial management in progressively responsible positions within a higher education institution.

OR

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in financial planning, budgeting, and financial operations.

• Master’s degree in finance, business, accounting, or a related field.
• CPA certification.

Cleary University is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. Cleary strongly believes that workforce diversity creates an environment in which its employees can thrive. Cleary understands and embraces the variety through which people gain experiences whether through professional, personal, educational, or volunteer opportunities. Cleary University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.