The University of Alabama (UA) invites applications and nominations for the position of Vice President for Finance and Operations, and Treasurer (VPF&O).

Located in the heart of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, UA is one of the nation’s premier universities, offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in nearly 200 fields of study. With more than 1,000 acres of tree-lined academic core campus and over 300 state-of-the-art facilities, UA is among the most beautiful and most inspiring college campuses in the nation. In fall 2023, UA set a new enrollment record of 39,623 students, including the largest first-year student class to ever enroll. UA is also a leader among public universities in the enrollment of National Merit Scholars, with a record 1,142 enrolled. As the state’s flagship university, UA is among the top doctoral research universities in the United States and is classified as an R1 (Very High Research Activity) university in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Since 2015, UA has invested over $1.1 billion in the physical campus, adding more than 2.55 million gross square feet of space, over 150 new research-intensive faculty, signature research areas (e.g., the Alabama Research Institutes), and a growing number of partnerships with industry and with state and federal agencies.

The VPF&O is the chief business officer for UA and reports directly to, and serves at the pleasure of, the President. In support and collaboration with the President and his executive team, the VPF&O advances the mission and vision of UA and provides executive level leadership, strategic direction, and management oversight for all aspects of the University’s financial and operational resources. The VPF&O is engaged in all aspects of capital, operational, and financial planning, including developing and sustaining a long-term economic model that ensures the viability of UA. As CFO, she or he is responsible for risk management and compliance with audit, legal, and donor requirements and Internal Revenue Service, federal, and state regulations, stewarding and controlling the flow of funds though the organization and maintaining their integrity. The VPF&O also represents UA on financial and capital matters to The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees. For more information on UA’s financial reports, see https://finance.ua.edu/.

The VPF&O leads UA’s Division of Finance and Operations, an administrative organizational structure that includes more than 1,300 team members across nine departments, including all aspects of finance, business analytics and process improvement, compliance and risk services, campus development, enterprise operations, facilities and grounds, human resources, public safety, and shared administrative services. Further information about the Finance and Operations division and these responsibilities may be found at https://financeandoperations.ua.edu.

The VPF&O is expected to play a significant role in advancing the mission and strategic direction of the University.

Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree is required. An advanced degree is preferred. Substantial progressive financial and operational leadership experience is required, with some experience at a college or university strongly preferred.

The successful candidate for VPF&O will demonstrate:

• A clear vision for the role of a comprehensive public university in teaching, research, and economic development for the 21st century.
• Evidence of commitment to the concept for a student-centered university and to a tier one faculty research environment.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills including evidence of the ability to facilitate collaboration with and among various groups of faculty, staff, administrators, and students from wide ranging backgrounds across the University.
• A record of using wide-ranging and collaborative perspectives.
• The ability to develop and lead a highly effective finance and administrative leadership team.
• A proven record of leading a team of excellent colleagues to foster collaboration and engagement between the campus and the broader community.
• Thorough understanding of and commitment to maintenance of an effective system of internal control.

Responsibilities and Leadership Agenda: The VPF&O at UA will be expected to:

• Provide for current and long-term financial and administrative planning and programs consistent with the goals and objectives established by the President and the Board of Trustees.
• Provide effective leadership, direction, and oversight to the areas within the Division of Finance and Operations.
• Lead the annual operating and capital budget development process.
• Provide investment direction and oversight.
• Ensure the accurate and timely reporting of financial data to the Board, administration, and internal and external constituencies.
• Oversee the development of financial, human resource, and administrative systems with comprehensive policies and procedures that are in accordance with applicable laws and regulations while providing efficient service to University constituents.
• Operate as chief conduit for the external auditor and support independent, objective internal auditing functions designed to add value and improve operations.
• Advise the President on matters of policy vision, strategic planning, and long-range budgeting applicable to the University’s financial and administrative matters.
• Work with the executive leadership team to proactively identify and address enterprise-level risk.
• Maintain awareness of political activities, current and proposed legislation, changing economic and demographic environment, and overall business climate affecting the University and relate the insight to the changing needs of the University consistent with its mission.
• Exercise exemplary ethical conduct and demonstrate fiscal responsibility by developing financial forecasts and annual budgets and performing complex analyses and projections.
• Provide effective leadership in ensuring a culture of ethics, compliance, and adherence to established internal control principles across all financial and administrative operations.

How to Apply:

The University of Alabama is being assisted by Academic Search. Applications should consist of a substantive cover letter, a current resume, and a list of at least five professional references with full contact information. No references will be contacted without explicit permission of the candidate. Applications, nominations, and expressions of interest can be submitted electronically, and in confidence, to:

UAVPFO@academicsearch.org

The position is open until filled but only applications received by Thursday, May 9, 2024, can be assured full consideration. Confidential discussions about this opportunity may be arranged by contacting consultants Ann Die Hasselmo at ann.hasselmo@academicsearch.org and Chris Butler at chris.butler@academicsearch.org.

Further information about UA may be found at www.ua.edu and an institutional opportunity profile may be found at https://stories.ua.edu/opportunity-profile/.

Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, genetic or family medical history information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. "EEO is the Law" Poster