Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer

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Job description

Phoenix, AZ

Ottawa Universityinvites applications from, and nominations of, dynamic and inspiring leaders for the position of Vice Chancellor & Chief Financial Officer.

Ottawa University is an institution with a proud 160 year heritage of educating adults and students of traditional ages for lifetimes of faith, service, leadership and significance. From its founding in 1865 in Ottawa, Kansas, the university has grown to an institution today that serves nearly 5,000 students through its residential campuses, adult and graduate studies campuses, and online. Ottawa University offers exceptional breadth and depth in its curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate levels which is constantly being updated and enhanced to make the greatest possible impact on the lives of its students.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice Chancellor & Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the senior financial leader for the Ottawa University System and all of its campuses. As such, the CFO may select to work and lead primarily from the Surprise, Overland Park, or Ottawa campus locations.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This leader is the senior business and finance officer of the University responsible for accounting, budget management, fiscal operations, financial aid administration and information technology. This position is expected to facilitate business process improvement, oversee contract negotiations, develop strategic financial plans and advise the Chancellor regarding organization and investment opportunities. The CFO is a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet (reports to the Chancellor) and works collaboratively with the other senior officers. She or he will also work closely with, and act as a staff liaison to, the Board Budget and Finance, and Audit committees. The CFO manages finance, accounting, receivables, payables, payroll, tax, treasury, banking, financial aid, and IT departments on behalf of the entire university system. S/he interfaces heavily with compliance, HR, academics, and advancement as well as each of the operating and enrollment units.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Oversee every aspect of budget preparation including operating and capital budgets and cash planning ensuring plans are challenging, balanced across units and achievable. Provide accurate and timely information and analysis throughout the year presented in formats that facilitate decision making. Develop long range financial plans, evaluate alternative scenarios, and recommend/implement actions to enhance University operations. Analyze trends, evaluate programs and recommend changes.
  • Manage all fiscal operations of the University. Implement sound treasury procedures to facilitate cash planning and liquidity. Utilize long term and short term debt to minimize the University’s cash flow expenses and maintain credit flexibility. Support the Board’s Investment Committee in its oversight of investment management. Assure that the University has in place effective risk management programs and all appropriate insurance.
  • Oversee financial aid administration ensuring that the University meets or exceeds government compliance standards for eligibility for Title IV funds and that the University is able to respond to student needs. Implement strategies to streamline operations and reduce the cost of administration as a percentage of student tuition revenues.
  • Develop and enhance programs to educate and monitor compliance with University policies. Assure the internal control and compliance programs are effective. Monitor potential conflict of interest situations to assure fair and sound decision making. Assure all relevant accounting standards and regulatory requirements are met and changes are anticipated to minimize any negative impacts.
  • Support the University’s strategies through the use of information technology. Assure that appropriate plans and programs are in place to increase the effectiveness of the academic, student services and administrative support systems. Provide operational management that supports the University’s processing requirements, minimizes unscheduled disruptions, and provides effective systems security. Assure that technological investments are consistent with strategic priorities while optimizing the use of University’s resources.
  • Serve as staff support for Board of Trustee Committees including Budget & Finance and Audit, Compliance, and Legal. Regularly report to the Executive Committee and the Board regarding the financial health of the University and provide additional support as requested.
  • Manage and lead staff in a manner consistent with University personnel policies. Encourage collaboration among staff of supervised departments and with other university staff organizations, provide regular feedback and evaluation, and facilitate developmental opportunities.
  • Provide leadership to those with whom you work through appropriate conduct, attitude and professionalism. Represent the University to students, faculty, staff, trustees and external groups in a way that reflects well on OU.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

  • Bachelor’s Degree required. CPA/MBA or other master’s degree preferred.
  • Five years or more of top line financial executive experience, preferably in the higher education or regulated industry.
  • Experience with executive level financial responsibilities in multiple operational areas.
  • Experience in strategic planning, new business markets, and financial analysis.
  • Proven planning, forecasting, cash management, and budgeting skills.
  • Experience and track record of success in dealing with auditors, regulators, and legal firms.
  • Proven experience in negotiating and securing financial facilities with banks, bond offerings, and others.
  • Awareness of and sensitivity to IT systems, reporting, and compliance requirements in multiple states.
  • Experience in the management of significant business process improvement activities as well as compliance and controls.
  • Understanding of accounting standards and control/compliance cultures.
  • Ability to guide and work closely with Chancellor and Board of Trustees.
  • Ability to work with top line executives in a complex, multi-site system.
  • Collaborative and sensitive, yet firm, leadership and management skills. Someone who is able to elicit participation and support from individuals and groups.
  • A high level of oral and written communications skills.
  • A strategic and creative thinker with strong analytical skills.
  • The ability to work collaboratively and collegially with diverse groups of individuals.
  • While this position may be based primarily in either Ottawa, KS, Overland Park, KS, or Surprise, AZ travel and regular interaction with each residential and all adult campuses is expected.

OTTAWA UNIVERSITY EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

  • Ottawa University is a comprehensive, private, non-profit University, with a historic residential campus in Ottawa, Kansas. The University was founded in 1865 through a collaboration with the Ottawa Indian Tribe and the American Baptist Churches, USA.
  • The Ottawa, Kansas residential campus is in its 160th year of service.
  • The University is a pioneer in adult higher education, with over 50 years of serving the unique needs of adult learners in the Kansas City, Phoenix and Milwaukee metropolitan areas, as well as through a robust online education division.
  • Ottawa opened its highly successful Surprise, Arizona residential campus in 2017, setting new records for enrollment growth and immediate sustainability.
  • The University has been continuously accredited since 1914 by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and is one of the oldest continuously accredited higher educational systems in America.
  • The University operates with 455 full and part-time faculty, and an additional 400 adjunct faculty. Approximately 84% of the full-time teaching faculty at Ottawa University hold a doctorate and the remaining 16% have a minimum of a master’s degree as the highest degree earned.
  • The University benefits from its Flex-Term academic schedule, designed to meet the demands of the particular course and related student learning patterns.
  • Ottawa is a highly successful member of the NAIA, the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, the Sooner Conference, the Great Southwest Athletic Conference, and the National Christian College Athletics Association. OU offers 33 varsity sports at its Kansas campus and 31 varsity sports at its Arizona campus, and enrolls more NAIA varsity athletes at its two residential campuses than any college in America.
  • The University has produced a track record of organic growth from within a solid and respected 160 year old higher educational institution by growing its gross revenues and net tuition revenues by 86% and 69%, respectively since 2016.
  • Ottawa has been successful in its fundraising activities since 2008 and has enjoyed outstanding results in its capital campaigns with strong support from the board and friends of the institution.
  • Ottawa benefits from an unusually well-diversified strategic business model with three lines of business operating nationally and internationally, and is strongly positioned to sustain its growth and success well into the future.
  • The newer Arizona residential campus located in Surprise achieved critical mass in just four years. OUAZ benefits from its location in the 5th largest and fastest growing state in the United States and in the fastest growing county (Maricopa) in the United States–a market with very little private higher education.
  • The school has been built on the foundation of its resurgent historical campus in Kansas which is enjoying the highest enrollment in its history.
  • Augmenting the two residential campuses is a powerful and profitable online and adult site distribution model with physical locations in Kansas City (Overland Park, KS), Phoenix (Surprise, AZ), and Milwaukee (Brookfield, WI).
  • A commitment to the development of the whole person is deeply embedded in the University’s cultural and operational DNA.

How to apply

CBIZ EFL Associates (https://eflassociates.cbiz.com), an executive search firm, is assisting Ottawa University with its search for this important leadership position. All calls and inquiries should be made through the search firm. Nominations and applications will be held in strict confidence and candidates will remain confidential until the final stage of the search, at which time the express permission of finalists will be obtained before making their candidacy public.

Application Process

STEP 1: Complete a brief online application (2-3 minutes):

STEP 2: Send us your letter of interest and résumé or curriculum vitae:

  • Send in PDF format
  • Send to[email protected]
  • Email subject line should read – “OU CFO Application”

Key Dates

  • Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
  • Interested candidates are encouraged to apply promptly.
  • The position may be filled prior to the March 31, 2025 application deadline.

Confidential Inquiries

Steve Waldron, JD
VP & Managing Director, Higher Education Practice
816-945-5423 (direct) Email: [email protected]

Nominations & Application Questions

If you would like to provide a nomination, please email all pertinent information (including an email address and phone number of the nominee) to:

Edith Ketay
Program Manager, Higher Education Practice
816-841-4001 (direct) Email: [email protected]