Vice President of Administration & Finance

Vice President of Administration & Finance

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice President of Administration and Finance is the University’s chief business and financial officer and the principal steward of its financial, and physical resources and provider of services in support of the mission.  Principal responsibilities the Vice President of Administration and Finance include providing leadership and direction to the offices of Business Affairs, Facilities management and other initiatives pursued to strengthen the University’s administrative and fiscal operations; serves as support to board of trustees committees related to the aforementioned offices; participates on the Budget and Planning Committee; and coordinates with the President and other cabinet members to exercise general stewardship of the University’s assets, including significant fiduciary and signatory authorities.

TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities for the financial health of the University.   

• Advises the President in all fiscal matters. Provides strong leadership for the continued development and implementation of sound operational policies and practices throughout the University, which safeguard and expand the fiscal integrity of the University.
• Manages effective business operations.  Maintains oversight of all Business Office functions of budgeting, bursar, student accounts, financial reporting, audit, cash management, internal controls, endowment accounting, payroll, payables and receivables.
• Monitors budget expenditures, purchasing, University assets, the endowment and investment portfolio.
• Ensures both internal and external audits are performed regularly and timely and that corrective action is taken as required.
• Makes weekly reports to the President on the financial state of the University and ensures accurate financial and budgetary reports are prepared and available to the board of trustees, accrediting agencies, the Budget and Planning committee and other agencies as necessary.  

Responsibilities for the physical plant of the University.

• Advises the President on maintenance and preventive maintenance programs for all of the University’s structures and equipment.
• Maintains oversight of the Facilities Management Office functions of plant and facilities management, capital construction, custodial services, and grounds maintenance.
• Ensures compliance with federal and state laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as well as city safety codes.
• Makes weekly reports to the President on the physical facilities of the University and ensures reports on the state of the University are prepared and available to the board of trustees, accrediting agencies, the Budget and Planning committee and other agencies as necessary.

Responsibilities for initiating efforts to strengthen the University’s administrative and fiscal acumen.

• Maintains membership and participation in organizations, both locally and nationally that promote the health and growth of higher education and increases the University’s presence in the community.  
• Actively participates with the National Association of University and University Business Officers (NACUBO), the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), and the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Must be an incredible leader with the capacity to manage multiple components of finance
• Must have impeccable soft skills with a focus on team building, time management, and adaptability;
• Must have a background and an understanding in investments and creative strategies for money management;  
• Oversees and provides strategic leadership to University-wide business operations, systems, and processes, including budget development and administration, short-term and long-term strategic financial planning, fiscal analysis and projections, fiscal and accounting services, banking and payroll, grant budget management and purchasing; Ensures fiscal control & oversight of University finances.
• Oversees and provides strategic leadership to University-wide Information Technology (IT) operations including network and database management, network and database security, hardware upgrade and replacement, software management, programming, and telecommunications services;
• Oversees and provides strategic leadership to University-wide Facilities and Risk Management operations including deferred maintenance, preventive maintenance, master planning, facilities upkeep and maintenance, and mechanical systems maintenance;
• Oversees and provides strategic leadership to campus-wide operations of the University's Campus Safety and Security, including safety and security planning, crime statistics monitoring and reporting, community policing, and routine patrolling;
• In conjunction with the President and VPs, confers and consults with legislative auditors in the performance of a variety of fiscal and operational audits, and addresses related issues, findings, and concerns;
• Identify potential local, state and/or federal funding sources, assessing impact and requirements, and facilitating system efforts to secure these resources;
• Develop and update the University's Financial, Facilities, Information Technology and Campus Safety and Security Strategic Plans and assures their integration with other major planning efforts within the University;
• Develops and manages the budget for Finance and Administration;
• Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel; coordinate the work assignments of assigned personnel; review work to assure compliance with established standards, requirements and procedures;
• Develop and implement measures and methodology for determining the effectiveness and efficiency of the Finance and Administration Division;
• Ensure Finance and Administration functions are leading edge and adhere to the highest quality standards;
• Builds and strengthens an environment that fosters creativity, innovation, and professional development among staff;
• In coordination with the President and CEO and the Executive Team, participate in the development of rules, regulations, procedures, and policies applicable to Finance and Administration;
• Assure all financial, facilities, information technology, and campus policing/security practices and records of the University comply with local, state, federal and accrediting body (i.e., SACSCOC, etc.) regulations;
• Maintains current knowledge on Finance and Administration (Facilities, IT, Campus Safety and Security) laws, regulations, policies and best practices on national, state, and local levels;
• Monitor Finance and Administration website pages and forms to remain current and ensure accuracy;
• Establishes procedures for financial and administration record retention and disposal;
• Establishes procedures for property management and disposal;
• Evening and weekend work and overnight travel are required;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
 

• Master’s degree in Finance, Business Management, Accounting or other related fields required.  Certified Public Accountant preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible accounting and/or finance and administration experience, preferably in an institution of higher education.  Background should emphasize areas of budget preparation, reporting and control, financial and purchasing administration principles, and development of recommendations to ensure fiscal stability and growth.
• Minimum of 5 years management experience with demonstrated management and team building skills.
• Experience in investments
• HBCU experience is a plus
• Impeccable soft skills
• Great leadership ability

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• In-depth knowledge facilities management.
• Proficiency in oral and written communications.
• Excellent knowledge of contemporary information technology and management systems.
• Commitment to the mission of the University, the leadership of the President, and to the effective management of the fiscal operations of the University.

SUPERVISION  

MAXIMUM SALARY 

POSITION STATUS 

SETTING

Founded in 1875, Huston-Tillotson University is Austin's first institution of higher education. The University is an independent, liberal arts, church-related, historically black institution located on a 23-acre tree-lined campus near downtown Austin, Texas. The University is affiliated with United Methodist Church, the United Church of Christ, and the United Negro College Fund. Undergraduate, four-year degrees in business, education, the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences are awarded. Huston-Tillotson University is multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-faith, and welcomes students of all ages, races, and religions. All faculty are engaged in a range of activities, their primary focus is teaching. The student-teacher ratio is 15 to one, which allows an environment of personalized attention to students.