Vice Chancellor, Finance & Administration ~ UMKC

The Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (VCFA) is a key visionary and innovative leader on the chancellor’s executive team, responsible for budgetary and financial accountability, optimizing fiscal and physical resources, and crafting strategies to support the university's institutional priorities. This role oversees or supports all campus finance functions, including budgeting, procurement, accounting, payroll, and financial management, while ensuring fiscal and legal compliance. Additionally, the VCFA leads various administrative and support operations, such as facilities services, environmental health and safety, real estate, and university police, ensuring the smooth functioning of the university. Reporting to the chancellor and accountable to the executive vice president for finance and operations and CFO at the University of Missouri System (UM System), the VCFA not only serves as the chief financial officer but also drives improvements to the university's business model, operational effectiveness, and process efficiency, working collaboratively to meet the university’s academic mission.

Job Functions:

1. Lead the strategic financial management in support of the university's vision and academic missions, including overseeing the campus budget.
2. Help create and implement growth strategies that generate new and enhanced revenue streams, as well as identify opportunities to enhance the efficiency and impact of the institution.
3. Direct and participate in acquisition and growth activities to support overall business objectives and plans, including on-campus and off-campus projects.
4. A core focus area is the physical campus, to enhance the student experience, and support faculty and staff goals.
5. Help shape, drive and continually enhance the university business model, as well as an F&A vision and capabilities that meet the university's mission, create stakeholder value, and are sustainable.
6. Model, evaluate and advise on the financial impact of proposed decisions, policies and strategies. Provide recommendations to strategically enhance financial performance and business opportunities.
7. Represent the university on budgetary and administrative matters with state government, UM System administration, the Board of Curators, private sector and the general public.
8. Serve on the chancellor’s leadership team and as the chancellor’s representative on various state, local and community boards and authorities.
9. Oversee and direct all campus finance functions, including budgeting and planning, contracts and leases, procurement and contracting, surplus and asset management, operations, accounting, financial management and reporting, cash collections and management, accounts receivable, payroll, purchasing, inventory, risk management, capital budget planning and analysis, and internal control for fiscal and legal compliance.
10. Lead the administrative and support operations of the university:
    • Facilities Services including Facilities Operations (Maintenance, Grounds and Custodial), Capital Planning, Design, Construction and Space Management
    • Environmental Health and Safety
    • Mail Services
    • Real Estate
    • University Police, including Safety and Security and Parking
    • Fiscal Services, including Budget and Accounting, Fiscal Managers, and Cashier’s Office, and Student Loans
11. Fulfill other responsibilities as assigned.

Supervision Exercised:

Administrative and general supervision may be exercised over managerial, professional, paraprofessional, temporary or student staff and contractors. Direct reports include: director of facility operations; director of facilities planning design and construction; finance operations manager; director of budget and planning; director of cashiers, student loans; director of environmental health and safety; university police chief; and senior executive assistant.

Opportunities and Expectations for Leadership

The next VCFA will play a key leadership role in addressing the following priorities, among others:

• Cultivate, evaluate and implement new ideas and strategies.
• Advance the objectives of the university's Master Plan.
• Work collaboratively with key partners.
• Build a strong team and empower them to succeed.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Master's degree in a relevant area and 10 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired or a Bachelor's degree in a relevant area and 12 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• A master’s degree in accounting, finance, economics or similar area of study.
• An active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.
• Successful experience in higher education, but relevant experience outside higher education will also be considered.
• Proven expertise in managing capital projects and real estate development, including comprehensive construction management from planning to completion.
• Experienced in assessing and managing the maintenance needs of facilities, ensuring that critical projects are identified and addressed promptly.
• Personal attributes should include strategic vision, energy, innovative problem-solving approach, and the highest professional integrity.
• Successful candidates will have strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies.
• Candidates must have a strong commitment to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for all individuals.
• Experience with strategic planning and campus master planning.
• Experience and expertise in strategic, comprehensive, multi-year budget development and implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate staff to provide a high standard of service.
• Knowledge and understanding of a shared governance system.
• Understanding of and commitment to the mission, vision and values of an urban research university.
• Previous participation in related professional organizations.

Procedure for Candidacy: All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile and a CV or resume. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by October 18th, 2024.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to UM System Executive Recruitment Team, umhrexecutivesearch@umsystem.edu.

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties and functions of this job.