Vice President, Administration & Finance ​/ Chief Financial Officer

Mission of the Role

Applicants are encouraged to review the Vice President, Administration & Finance / Chief Financial Officer Prospectus linked here. CBU Executive Search Profile - VPAF / CFO p
rofile for comprehensive details on the position, institutional context, leadership expectations, and application requirements.

The Vice President for Administration & Finance / Chief Financial Officer serves as the University's chief administrative officer and ensures effective, efficient, and mission-aligned delivery of administrative services including financial stewardship, facilities, information technology, human resources, and institutional risk management supporting the long-term sustainability of Christian Brothers University.

Position Summary

The VPAF/CFO provides strategic and operational leadership for the University's financial and administrative enterprise. This role is responsible for:

• the integrity of CBU's financial systems, reporting, controls, budgeting, and long-range financial planning,
• the leadership and performance of key administrative divisions (Finance/Accounting, Financial Aid, Facilities, Information Technology, and Human Resources),
• the contractual oversight of key outsourced services (including dining/food service and bookstore), ensuring service quality, compliance, value, and alignment with institutional priorities, and
• stewardship support for institutional financial assets, including endowment and investment governance in partnership with University leadership and the Board.
• The VPAF/CFO is a principal advisor to the President and Board on financial strategy, risk, and operational performance, and serves as a Cabinet-level leader who strengthens cross-functional alignment and disciplined execution.

Operating Philosophy:
Vision, Traction, Healthy (VTH)

CBU expects the VPAF/CFO to strengthen the institution through three leadership disciplines:

• Vision: ensuring leadership alignment on the financial and operational destination, the few priorities that matter most, and the plan/assumptions to reach sustainability.
• Traction: ensuring disciplined execution clear ownership, measurable scorecards, meeting cadence, issue-resolution, and accountability that turns plans into results.
• Healthy: building a cohesive leadership environment marked by trust, candor, and cross-functional collaboration (solving real issues quickly and reducing silos).
  “Integrator + Strategist” Expectations

1)
Integrator (Traction Leader for Administration & Finance)

The VPAF/CFO creates alignment across administrative functions, drives a consistent operating cadence, and ensures follow-through on priorities?so financial and operational plans become measurable outcomes and reliable service delivery.

2)
Institutional Strategist (Long-Range Financial & Operating Model Leader)

The VPAF/CFO is a principal architect of CBU's long-range financial model, scenario planning, and institutional resource strategy anticipating risks, identifying options, and guiding sustainable decisions that protect mission, academic strength, and student success.

Key Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

A. Financial Strategy, Planning, Controls, and Stewardship

• Lead comprehensive annual budgeting and multi-year financial planning, including scenario modeling, enrollment sensitivity analysis, cash forecasting, margin improvement planning, and capital funding strategy.
• Ensure strong internal controls, audit readiness, regulatory compliance, and accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Provide decision support and clear financial narratives to the President, Cabinet, and Board: risks, tradeoffs, options, and recommendations.

B. Finance & Accounting Leadership (Direct Report Area)

• Provide executive leadership for Finance/Accounting, including controller functions, accounting operations, purchasing/procurement practices, treasury/cash management, and financial systems integrity.
• Establish service standards and performance metrics for Finance operations (close calendars, reporting SLAs, procurement cycle time, compliance measures, etc.).

C. Financial Aid Leadership (Direct Report Area)

• Provide executive oversight of Financial Aid to ensure compliance,…