PRIMARY PURPOSE/SCOPE
Bluefield University seeks an experienced and strategic Vice President for Finance & Administration/Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to oversee the university’s financial operations, planning, and strategy. Reporting directly to the President and serving on the Executive Leadership Team, the CFO will play a critical role in shaping the institution’s financial future, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and supporting the university’s mission of providing high-quality education in a Christian environment.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND FUNCTIONS
The essential duties, responsibilities, and functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
To oversee the financial administration of the University:
- Develop and manage a systematic University-wide annual budgeting process that projects expenditures and revenues and utilizes input from all appropriate areas of the University.
- Analyze, project, and monitor budget allocations and expenditures based on a five-year financial plan, including revenues, expenditures, and investments.
- Communicate consistent financial information to departmental budget managers to keep them constantly informed and within annual budget constraints.
- Prepare monthly managerial financial summary statements to be presented to the President and prepare a detailed quarterly financial statement to be presented to the President and Trustee Finance Committee. Prepare quarterly GAAP financial statements to be provided to financial institutions to which the University is obligated.
- Monitor monthly financial statements of the endowment investments and forward copies to the President and to the Chair of the Trustee Finance Committee.
- Manage and direct the university’s insurance and retirement programs, including risk management assessment.
To coordinate the personnel management of the institution:
- Manage the recruiting and hiring processes of the University to insure the quality of candidates and compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Coordinate and oversee an annual, systematic process of personnel evaluations to ensure the quality and professional growth of the administration, staff, and faculty.
- Manage the ongoing evaluation, revision, and production of a staff manual to ensure that it is accurate, current, and relevant to the University.
- Oversee staff development, training, and proficiency in areas such as customer service.
To manage and direct the financial and business services of the University:
- Oversee the operation of the University’s business services, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, and payroll.
- Manage the University’s accounting and reporting systems and procedures, including preparing detailed analyses and assisting with preparing financial statements for the annual audit.
- Develop and monitor an effective system of purchasing to ensure cost-effectiveness.
To oversee the management of the auxiliary services of the University:
- Develop and monitor a contract management system and negotiation with outsourced services on a three-year cycle to ensure cost containment and quality service.
- Coordinate the management of all facilities, including existing buildings and grounds, with the University’s outsourced service and develop and maintain a five-year facility management plan for the maintenance and renovation of the university’s facilities.
- Manage the University’s faculty/staff housing to ensure the upkeep and quality of the facilities (or buildings).
- Work cooperatively with the University’s outsourced service to provide students with the highest quality of food service.
To oversee and manage the computer services of the University:
- Evaluate, recommend, and monitor the appropriate University-wide administrative and academic software that will provide an efficient and effective, well-integrated, and documented computer system.
- Oversee the operation and personnel responsible for the University’s academic and administrative computer systems.
MARGINAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Serve as a non-voting member of the Trustee Finance Committee.
- Comply with all rules, policies, and procedures as established by Bluefield University.
- Perform such other duties as assigned by the President.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
The VPFA/CFO must possess the knowledge, skill, and ability to demonstrate, explain, and perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some combination of the following skills and abilities:
- A minimum of a bachelor’s degree and an advanced degree or CPA.
- Multiple years of accounting or business-related experience is required.
- Work experience in a university or university environment with an understanding of non-profit accounting, including preparation of General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) financial statements and the fiscal operations of an institution of higher education.
- Demonstrated leadership ability.
- Well-developed communication skills.
- Skilled decision-maker with transparency in decision-making and management.
- Strong negotiation, facilitation, and organizational skills.
- A history of successful collaboration with multiple constituencies.
- Ability to multi-task.
- Experience in financial systems is essential (knowledge of or experience with Jenzabar would be ideal).
- The ability to maintain collaborative working relations with students, faculty, staff, parents and other University constituencies, as well as the general public.
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:
- Profess Christian faith.
- Have a commitment to the Christian mission of the University, as well as a commitment to actively promote its vision, mission, and values.
- Professional appearance and presentation in the working environment (including business casual attire).
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:
The VPFA/CFO is subject to an annual evaluation based on the job functions as set forth above.
ERGONOMIC REQUIREMENTS
- Physical Demands
The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. This position is not necessarily a physically demanding job. Generally, it requires no specific physical demands other than those typical in a modern office environment. Normal responsibilities should not afford risks of accidental injury.
- Specialized Equipment Requirements
The use of specialized equipment listed here is representative of equipment an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. This position requires equipment typically used in a modern office environment, including personal computers, calculators, copiers, and fax machines.
- Working Conditions and Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the duties, responsibilities, and functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties, responsibilities, and functions. This position has no specific working conditions; the work environment is typical to that of a small private residential institution of higher education, with physical remote site locations within 500 miles of the main campus in Bluefield, Virginia.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
This position is subject to at least an annual evaluation based upon the job duties, responsibilities, and functions as set forth above.
APPROVALS
The job duties, responsibilities, functions, and requirements delineated above should not be interpreted as an all-inclusive list of same. Additional duties, responsibilities, functions, and requirements may be assigned as deemed appropriate. The University reserves the right to change or reassign job duties, responsibilities, and functions, or combine positions at any time. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on the University. Position descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The University maintains its status as an at-will employer.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
To apply for this position, please visit https://www.bluefield.edu/employment/ to complete the electronic staff employment application and upload the following:
- Letter of interest
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Names and full contact information for at least three professional references
- Statement of Christian Faith
Hard copy application materials may be sent to Judy Pedneau, Director of Human Resources at Bluefield University, 3000 College Avenue, Bluefield, VA 24605, [email protected].
Additional information about Bluefield University is available at www.bluefield.edu.
To be considered for this position, all application requirements listed above must be completed.
Bluefield University is a Christ-centered, multicultural learning community that values and seeks faculty and staff who represent diverse backgrounds and perspectives, are committed to diversity, work effectively with diverse populations, and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation.
Bluefield University is a private, not-for-profit institution affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Bluefield University shall not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, religion, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other basis on which the University is prohibited from discrimination under local, state, or federal law, in its employment or in the provision of its services, including but not limited to its programs and activities, admissions, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other University-administered programs. This institution encourages women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply.
