Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Howell, Michigan | Full-Time | Exempt

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.

Cleary enters this search during a period of continued strategic investment and institutional progress. The University generates approximately $35 million in tuition revenue and is advancing a set of mission‑aligned initiatives designed to expand access, improve outcomes, and strengthen its financial position, including:

• National expansion of Cleary’s 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

These initiatives reflect the university’s commitment to disciplined growth and long‑term financial strength.

As the institution scales its nationally expanding adult and online programs—already demonstrating strong revenue generation and retention—while reinvesting in a vibrant residential campus, the CFO will shape a dynamic financial architecture that balances growth, margin, and mission. 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.

• 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.
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