Chief Financial Officer

* Job Type: Officer of Administration

* Regular/Temporary:
Regular

* Hours Per Week: 35

* Standard

Work Schedule:

Hybrid Schedule (3 Days On-site)

* Salary Range: $160,000-$178,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Dean of the Columbia School of Social Work (CSSW), the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for strategically planning, leading, and managing the School's financial operations. CSSW hosts two graduate programs (the MS and PhD in Social Work), robust community and global initiatives, and an extensive portfolio of research programs.

The CFO will oversee strategic financial planning and forecasting, synthesizing and analyzing financial data to inform decision-making and resource allocation. This role will lead the development of a sustainable financial model that supports growth, innovation, and long-term agility for the School.

The CFO will manage a team of finance professionals responsible for budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and compliance; build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including central University finance offices and external partners; and ensure transparent and effective financial management practices.

As a key member of the School's senior leadership team, the CFO will translate the Dean's strategic vision into actionable financial strategies that advance CSSW's mission, goals, and priorities.

Leadership Competencies

The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional strategic and analytical thinking, strong collaboration and communication skills, and the ability to influence and build trust across diverse stakeholder groups. They will be a proactive leader who inspires high performance within their team, promotes accountability and continuous improvement, and fosters a culture of inclusion, transparency, and service excellence. The CFO will bring both a strategic mindset and hands-on expertise to balance financial stewardship with innovation and long-term institutional sustainability.

Responsibilities

Financial Modeling, Forecasting, and Decision Support

The CFO will:

* Drive financial strategy and performance as an active member of the Dean's senior leadership team, participating in meetings of the Dean's Direct Reports (DDR) and the Council of Deans (COD) to align financial goals with academic and operational priorities.

* Lead financial performance management in partnership with the Dean, Vice Dean, and School leadership-identifying revenue growth opportunities, optimizing resource allocation, and implementing cost-efficiency initiatives to strengthen the School's fiscal health.

* Design and implement dynamic budgeting and forecasting models that inform strategic decisions, anticipate financial risks, and promote long-term sustainability and diversification of revenue streams.

* Develop and refine business plans and financial models to evaluate program viability, optimize operations, and support data-driven financial decision-making across the School.

* Advance financial literacy and accountability among School leaders by creating and disseminating clear, actionable financial dashboards and reports that highlight key performance indicators and trends. Facilitate regular discussions to interpret results and guide decision-making.

* Represent CSSW on University finance committees, contributing strategic insights and ensuring alignment with institutional financial planning and compliance standards.

Effective Leadership of Budget, Payroll, and Accounting Operations for CSSW

The CFO will:

* Lead the development and continuous refinement of a transparent, comprehensive budget that serves as a core management tool for the School-encompassing the five-year forecast, annual and quarterly reports, and detailed monthly expense analyses.

* Drive proactive financial performance monitoring by analyzing revenues, expenses, and variances; evaluating new funding proposals; and managing institutional cost components such as internal taxes, fringe rates, and government overheads to ensure fiscal integrity and informed decision-making.

* Direct and optimize personnel budgeting and work collaboratively with the CSSW Office of Human Resources payroll management, ensuring accurate forecasting, efficient resource utilization, and alignment with organizational goals.

* Collaborate with the Office of Financial Aid on tuition, financial aid, and student financing operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and fiscal accountability.

* Partner with the Offices of Sponsored Projects and Development to strengthen financial management of grants, contracts, gifts, and endowments, ensuring compliance and maximum impact of funds.

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