Senior Controller and Director of Finance

Job Description:

Who We Are Founded in 1891, Seattle Pacific University has a long and distinguished history in Christian higher education. Located just minutes from downtown Seattle, SPU seeks to be a premier Christian university fully committed to engaging the culture and changing the world by graduating people of competence and character, becoming people of wisdom, and modeling grace-filled community.

What We Need Seattle Pacific University is seeking an experienced, mission-driven financial leader to serve as its Senior Controller and Director of Finance . Reporting to the Vice President for Business and Finance/CFO, this on-campus position provides strategic and operational leadership for the University’s Finance, Accounting, Treasury, Budget, and Business Development functions.

As a key member of the University’s leadership team, the Senior Controller and Director of Finance partners closely with the President, Cabinet, Board of Trustees, and campus leaders to strengthen SPU’s long-term financial health and institutional sustainability. This leader will oversee financial planning and analysis, accounting and reporting, treasury operations, audit and compliance, business operations, and enterprise financial systems while helping the University make thoughtful, data-informed decisions about its resources and priorities.

The successful candidate will bring strong financial and technical expertise, strategic perspective, sound judgment, and a collaborative leadership style. This is an opportunity for an accomplished financial professional to have broad institutional impact while developing people, modernizing systems and processes, and advancing the mission of Christian higher education.

The Senior Controller and Director of Finance supports Seattle Pacific University’s mission by contributing to a Christ‑centered learning and working community committed to academic excellence, service, and engagement with the world. In this role, the employee brings their skills, gifts, and professional expertise to work that matters—serving students, colleagues, and the broader University community in ways that reflect SPU’s values and purpose.

To that end, all University employees are required to be aligned with and supportive of SPU's Statement of Faith and its derivative policies and lifestyle expectations.

What You’ll Do Financial Strategy & Stewardship Lead University-wide financial planning and analysis, including multi-year budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, management reporting, and variance analysis

Advise senior leadership and the Board of Trustees on financial performance, emerging risks, capital planning, resource allocation, and strategic investment opportunities

Develop financial models and scenario analyses that support institutional planning and long-term sustainability

Lead financial stewardship and cost-management initiatives while strengthening budget accountability and transparency across the University Accounting, Treasury & Compliance Oversee accounting and financial operations, including general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, grants accounting, asset management, treasury, liquidity, cash forecasting, debt service, and internal controls

Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting in accordance with GAAP, higher education requirements, and applicable federal and state regulations

Lead the annual external audit and oversee tax, bond, NCAA, and other regulatory and compliance reporting

Support banking and treasury functions for Seattle Pacific University and the Seattle Pacific Foundation Systems & Operational Leadership Serve as executive sponsor and functional owner for Workday Financials, leading governance, optimization, reporting, and future enhancements

Develop…