Briar Cliff University - VP of Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Vice President of Finance & Chief Financial Officer

Briar Cliff University seeks a strategic and entrepreneurial financial leader to serve as Vice President of Finance & Chief Financial Officer (VPF/CFO). Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the President’s Cabinet, the VPF/CFO will play a central role in advancing the University’s continued recovery and long-term sustainability.

Financial Strategy and Planning

• Develops and implements a comprehensive financial strategy aligned with the University’s mission, enrollment trajectory, and long-term sustainability goals.
• Leads annual operating and capital budget development in collaboration with the President, Cabinet, and division heads; monitors budget performance and recommends corrective action as needed.
• Provides revenue forecasting and multi‑year financial modeling to support institutional planning, scenario analysis, and strategic decision–making.
• Advises the President and Cabinet on the financial implications of institutional initiatives, program investments, enrollment strategies, and capital commitments.
• Monitors peer institution financial benchmarks and higher education financial health indicators to inform institutional positioning and long‑term planning.

Financial Reporting, Audit, and Compliance

• Oversees preparation of accurate and timely financial statements in accordance with GAAP and applicable higher education accounting standards, including fund accounting.
• Manages the annual external audit process; serves as the primary institutional contact for external auditors and ensures timely completion and distribution of audited financial statements.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable federal and state financial regulations, including Title IV financial responsibility standards, IPEDS financial reporting requirements, and other regulatory obligations.
• Develops, implements, and maintains financial policies and internal controls that safeguard institutional assets and ensure the integrity of financial data.
• Oversees procurement policies and procedures to ensure efficient, economical, and compliant delivery and payment of goods and services.

Board Relations and Governance

• Serves as Treasurer to the Board of Trustees; prepares and presents financial reports, budget summaries, and financial health analyses to the full Board and its committees.
• Serves as an administrative liaison to the Finance and Audit Committee chairs; prepares meeting materials, supports committee deliberations, and ensures timely follow‑through on committee directives.
• Provides the Finance and Audit Committee with comprehensive quarterly reporting on institutional financial health, including detailed budget‑to‑actual analysis, cash flow position, revenue and expense variance explanations, and forward‑looking projections.
• Maintains and strengthens relationships with external financial partners including banking institutions, investment advisors, bond counsel, and insurance providers.
• Supports the President in financial communications to trustees, donors, accreditors, and other external stakeholders.

Cash Management and Treasury

• Manages the University’s cash flow, liquidity position, and banking relationships to ensure adequate operating reserves and financial flexibility.
• Oversees investment of institutional funds in accordance with Board‑approved investment policies.
• Manages debt obligations, lines of credit, and financing arrangements; advises the President and Board on debt strategy and capacity.
• Monitors and manages institutional risk exposure; oversees the University’s comprehensive insurance program.

Enterprise Analytics and Financial Intelligence

• Leads the development and stewardship of the University’s enterprise financial analytics infrastructure, including dashboards, reporting tools, and data integration with the University’s ERP system.
• Builds and maintains financial models and analytical tools that support enrollment‑driven revenue planning, net tuition revenue optimization, and institutional performance monitoring.
• Partners with institutional research, enrollment management, and academic affairs to ensure financial data informs…