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Vice President of Finance and Operations

Washington, DC

Position Overview

The Vice President for Finance & Operations and Treasurer serves as the Financial and Operating Officer, a key member of the President's Cabinet, and is responsible for developing the university's financial strategy, ensuring operational excellence, and maintaining institutional sustainability. Reporting directly to the President, the VPFO offers executive leadership and strategic oversight of the university's financial affairs, facilities, human resources, and auxiliary services.  

 

The VPFO collaborates with campus leaders, the Board of Trustees, and senior administrators to develop innovative financial strategies, optimize operations, and ensure fiscal stability while advancing the university’s mission to prepare workforce-ready students. This senior leader will steward the university's resources with integrity and vision, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and strategic investment that supports institutional growth and student success.  

  

The university’s finance and operations enterprise includes multiple functional areas:  

  • Finance & Treasury – encompassing budgeting, accounting, audit, investments, purchasing, real estate, insurance, and treasury operations
  • Human Resources – led by the Associate Vice President for Human Resources, supporting faculty and staff recruitment, development, benefits, and organizational culture
  • Facilities, Planning & Operations – including campus facilities management, planning, public safety, and transportation services 
  • Auxiliary Services – comprising culinary and retail operations, dining services, and related campus amenities  

  

Direct reports to the VPFO include: Associate Vice President, Finance; Associate Vice President, Human Resources; Associate Vice President, Facilities, Planning and Operations; Assistant Vice President, Culinary and Retail Operations; and an Executive Assistant.  

The successful candidate must possess the highest caliber of character, integrity, and trustworthiness, combined with vision, initiative, and energy to promote financial stewardship and operational excellence. Serving as a strategic advisor to the President and a collaborative partner across the institution, the VPFO will help guide the university through a period of significant growth—leading with purpose, innovation, and a steadfast dedication to institutional sustainability and mission fulfillment.  

  

Key Attractors:

  • Transformational Leadership Opportunity: An influential role to lead, strengthen, and optimize the financial and operational foundation of a top private university in the Washington, D.C., area—an institution with record enrollment, nationwide recognition, and historic momentum.
  • Strategic Influence & Impact: As the Chief Financial and Operating Officer, the VPFO will play a crucial role in shaping the future of a dynamic, mission-driven university, whose fiscal health and operational excellence enable its faculty, staff, students, and alumni to make a significant impact locally, nationally, and globally. 
  • Financial Innovation & Sustainability: Lead institutional efforts to assess and enhance existing revenue streams, identify and develop new sources of revenue, and stabilize finances through strategic debt management. Collaborate with enrollment management, advancement, and academic leadership on initiatives related to student recruitment, retention, fundraising, external partnerships, and innovative programming. 
  • Empowered Leadership & Strategic Partnerships: Ability to develop and mentor high-performing teams while identifying nontraditional financing approaches built on strategic partnerships, including Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). Work closely with the Board of Trustees’ Investment Committee to ensure the appropriate stewardship of the university's financial assets, and with the Office of Sponsored Programs to maximize grant opportunities. 
  • Operational Excellence & Compliance: Oversee treasury, budgeting, audit, investments, accounting, purchasing, real estate, insurance, facilities operations, auxiliary services, and human resources. Maintain robust procedures and systems that ensure adequate financial controls, accurate reporting, and regulatory compliance while supporting the university's academic mission. 
  • A Community and a Place to Thrive: We offer the ideal blend of professional opportunities and quality of life. The region's exceptional schools, cultural vitality, and diverse neighborhoods create an outstanding environment for both professional and personal growth. The VPFO will join a collaborative leadership team and a warm, inclusive community where ideas are heard, innovation is encouraged, and purpose drives progress.  

  

Qualifications/Competencies/Skills  

  • A minimum of a master’s degree or MBA from an accredited institution is required, along with at least 7 years of senior-level experience in negotiating, finance, and operations. Non-profit experience is preferred. Necessary skills include: strength in fund accounting, debt structuring, contract management, internal controls, project management, financial forecasting and planning, financial analysis, change management, negotiations, and operating efficiencies. 
  • A strong track record of success in financial administration. Extensive experience in and knowledge of financial management practices. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) preferred.  (The university uses Workday.) 
  • Current and knowledgeable on changing and emerging trends in higher education and finances, including financial aid leveraging and net-tuition revenue enhancement. 
  • Decisive, able to make difficult decisions, and execute them effectively. 
  • A forward-thinking, positive nature with an entrepreneurial and strategic mindset. 
  • Demonstrated ability to develop trust and to operate with fairness, integrity, and diplomacy. 
  • Experience in supporting governing boards and in staffing committees or subgroups on matters of a financial, capital investment, or administrative nature. 
  • A capacity to manage a diverse portfolio and represent and balance the needs of multiple constituencies. 
  • Ability to synthesize and use data to make informed decisions. 
  • Experience recruiting, managing, leading, developing, retaining, and empowering a talented and diverse staff.  

 

 

Additional Information

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a cover letter addressing their qualifications related to the responsibilities and competencies, along with a CV.

Attain Talent is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. Individual base salary for this position is unique to each candidate and will be commensurate with experience, education, and skills, ranging from $240,000 - $275,000. The offered salary is only one aspect of an employee’s total compensation. Benefits include comprehensive health insurance, a tuition remission program, a generous contribution to the University’s 403B retirement plan, and a generous time off plan. Employment is contingent upon successful completion and clearance of a background check and employment verification. 

 

Attain Talent is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. For more Information visit EEO, EEO Poster Supplement, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA). 

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process. 

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