Vice President for Administration and Finance

Department
Executive Group

Job Posting Title
Vice President for Administration and Finance

Job Description

Leadership Profile

Fort Hays State University (FHSU), a regional comprehensive public university where determined, innovative and caring faculty and staff share a deep commitment to teaching and mentoring students, seeks applications and nominations for the position of Vice President for Administration and Finance (VPAF). FHSU is fiscally strong and healthy, and is well-respected for its low debt-to-income ratio. Sources of educational revenue are diverse: international, online, and on campus – with an enrollment of about 15,000 students.  FHSU exists to improve lives through a high quality, accessible university. A successful candidate will be a seasoned executive who desires the complexity and challenges of working for a dynamic university and values a team-oriented leadership ethos to advance FHSU’s 119-year legacy of success.

Key Attractors

Key points the organization believes will be strong attractors to top candidates:

• This is a career-enhancing opportunity to serve as the chief financial officer for a forward-thinking, nationally prominent, higher-education institution.
• The institution is fiscally strong and healthy, and is well-respected for its low debt-to-income ratio. Sources of educational revenue are diverse: international, online, and on campus.
• Beautiful campus buildings include newly constructed student success center and a fine arts building. Other recent new construction includes residential life and themed Greek Life housing, a 48,000-ft2 applied technology and sculpture building, and a track & field complex. The majority of existing buildings have been renovated. A dynamic energy center directs campus-wide efficiencies, and two wind generators have reduced purchased power needs by approximately 55%, resulting in annual savings on energy costs of about $700,000.
• FHSU promotes intellectual life and cultural experiences for the community and the region through university programs and services, including theatre, music, art, and library programs throughout the year.
• Faculty are collegial and cooperative, are personally invested in the institution and community, often know their students by name, and create opportunities for engagement where they can have a positive impact on the lives of students.

The Role of the Vice President for Administration and Finance

The Vice President of Administration and Finance functions as the CFO for Fort Hays State University. Reporting directly to the president, the VPAF works across the university to optimize the university’s decision-making capabilities and inspire the highest standards of financial performance. As a key member of the university’s executive leadership team, the VPAF develops and implements strategies and procedures to ensure the financial viability of the university, enabling FHSU to advance its educational mission. The VPAF will oversee a team of approximately 190 talented employees. Functional areas include budgeting and planning, accounting, business office, central purchasing, facilities planning, human resources, physical plant, printing services, purchasing, student fiscal services, technology services, and university police.

The VPAF provides a range of financial services and operations to support the fiscal integrity of the university. Through strong stewardship of the university’s financial resources, enforcement of effective policy, procedures, and internal controls, and through accurate financial reporting, the team strives to serve the university’s diverse customer base and safeguard the public trust through responsive and reliable financial management.

The successful candidate will be a confident and innovative leader with strong knowledge of strategic planning, process improvement, fund accounting, and project management. The new leader will also understand and respect shared governance and promote an environment that encourages teamwork, inclusive decision-making, and a sense of community.

Responsibilities of the Vice President for Administration and Finance

• Provide leadership for the division of administration and finance as aligned with our planning processes:  campus strategic plan, strategic enrollment plan, and master plan.
• Hire, develop, and retain high quality administration and finance staff and build a team-oriented environment.
• Establish, approve and implement operating procedures to control and account for the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the institution in accordance with applicable regulations and generally accepted accounting principles for both public and private funds.  To oversee audits of the financial operation, to discharge the finance functions in accordance with state statutes and to report to the president as appropriate.
• Establish, approve and implement operational procedures to purchase on behalf of the University in the most economical way, interest in real property, contractual services, rentals of all types, supplies and materials, equipment and services in accord with state of Kansas procedures.
• Establish, approve and implement operating procedures to manage and maintain the fixed and plant assets; the inventory of movable equipment of the institution, and the disposal, salvage or demolition thereof; and to administer and supervise all capital construction contracts and renovation projects.
• Establish, approve and implement internal budget procedures in compliance with the policies and guidelines of the Board of Regents, the Governor’s Budget Division and the Legislative Research Department.
• Establish, approve and implement operating procedures to provide specific centralized support services (postal, telecommunications, risk management and specific auxiliary services and enterprises) common to the efficient administration of the institution.
• Establish, approve and implement operating procedures for the administration of all human capital policies and employment benefits.
• Review and sign contracts pursuant to delegated authority and recommend or negotiate all early retirement or other agreements concerning staff personnel.
• Establish, approve and implement procedures to ensure the prudent administration and coordination of the authority granted to the University, including reimbursement procedures for travel, entertainment and recruitment expenses and compliance with the applicable policies and regulations approved by the Board of Regents.
• Establish, approve and implement operating procedures addressing risk management and to secure and protect the assets and personnel of the institution, including assurance of safe working places, control of parking, traffic and emergency procedures.
• Manage the investments of university funds and the assurance and retirement of long-and short-term obligations in accordance with the policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Regents and the state of Kansas.
• Act as the University’s fiscal liaison with the Board of Regents and the Fort Hays State University Foundation.
• Act as the President’s liaison to the USS/UPS Staff Senate and to act for the President as appropriate in the day-to-day management of operations and communications with the USS/UPS Senate.
• Manage the buildings and grounds of the University and establish, approve and implement operating procedures to control and account for these assets.
• Participate in facilities planning and assure that a university-wide perspective is appropriately represented in the space and renovation discussions.
• Establish, approve and implement operating procedures to manage effectively campus security.  To oversee positive working relationships with local and state law enforcement emergency officials.
• Oversee the following processes and committees: the athletics advisory board, employee tuition assistance, residence classification appeals, staff development committee, traffic committee.

Minimum Qualifications

• A master’s degree in higher education leadership/administration, business administration, operations management, accounting, finance, or a relevant discipline
• A minimum of 10 years of successful financial management at the executive level

Preferred Qualifications

• Experienced in public higher education and has demonstrated ability to work in a diverse academic community
• Understanding of, and respect for, shared governance
• Knowledge of strategic planning, process improvement, fund accounting, and project management
• Demonstrated accomplishments developing and attaining strategic goals and objectives within a complex organizational setting/preferably higher education
• Demonstrated competencies in fiscal management, financial accounting and reporting, business management and administrative management practices
• Skillful in accounting, budget management, investment management, and project management
• Proven experience in planning and developing comprehensive capital and operating budgets for a wide-ranging portfolio of accounts
• Knowledgeable about institutional financial planning to include budget forecasting, debt, investments and risk management
• Strong analytical and organizations skills; detail-oriented
• Works fluently with financial data
• Supports a collaborative and deliberative decision-making process
• Possesses excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experienced supervising others and with general office management; creating and prompting an environment that encourages teamwork, inclusive decision-making, and a sense of community
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment
• Enduring commitment to learning; growth mindset
• Demonstrated a high degree of integrity, credibility, and discretion

Appointment Date:  January 2022

Priority Application Date: Review of applications will commence on September 26, 2021 and will continue until the position is filled.

Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience.

Benefits: Competitive benefit package http://www.fhsu.edu/humanresourceoffice/Prospective-Employees/

Application Process:  To apply for this position, please visit https://fhsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CAREERS .  Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.

Required Application Documents:  Letters of application, including a resume or vitae, transcripts, (official transcripts are required at the time of employment), and the names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses for four current professional references should be submitted. Applicant documents should be submitted in one PDF.

If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:

Shannon Lindsey, Human Resource Director

[email protected]

785-628-4462

ABOUT HAYS, KS

Candidates will discover a locale where professional satisfaction and career achievement are paired with an optimal quality of life. Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, Kansas, a vibrant, growing community of over 20,000 that takes great pride in the University's presence. Hays is a celebration of historic and contemporary contrasts, evidenced in its frontier roots highlighted throughout the city and local museums and in its redeveloped downtown area where residents enjoy one-of-a-kind restaurants, unique shopping, and a vibrant arts scene. This community’s commitment to the future inspires Hays businesses to reinvest locally.

A welcoming and family-centered community, Hays offers premier healthcare services, a growing high-tech and retail business community, and excellent Pre-K and K–12 schools in both the private and public sectors. The City of Hays has long been known as a safe community, and the FHSU campus is recognized by the National Council for Home Safety and Security in 2018 as one of the Top 100 Safest College Campuses in America. For entertainment, recreation, education, employment, or simply for a comfortable place to live, residents of all ages will find in Hays the elements that contribute to a safe, enjoyable, and fulfilling lifestyle.

Notice of Non-discrimination – Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.

Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.

Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.

Department
Executive Group

Job Posting Title
Vice President for Administration and Finance

Job Description

Leadership Profile

Fort Hays State University (FHSU), a regional comprehensive public university where determined, innovative and caring faculty and staff share a deep commitment to teaching and mentoring students, seeks applications and nominations for the position of Vice President for Administration and Finance (VPAF). FHSU is fiscally strong and healthy, and is well-respected for its low debt-to-income ratio. Sources of educational revenue are diverse: international, online, and on campus – with an enrollment of about 15,000 students.  FHSU exists to improve lives through a high quality, accessible university. A successful candidate will be a seasoned executive who desires the complexity and challenges of working for a dynamic university and values a team-oriented leadership ethos to advance FHSU’s 119-year legacy of success.

Key Attractors

Key points the organization believes will be strong attractors to top candidates:

• This is a career-enhancing opportunity to serve as the chief financial officer for a forward-thinking, nationally prominent, higher-education institution.
• The institution is fiscally strong and healthy, and is well-respected for its low debt-to-income ratio. Sources of educational revenue are diverse: international, online, and on campus.
• Beautiful campus buildings include newly constructed student success center and a fine arts building. Other recent new construction includes residential life and themed Greek Life housing, a 48,000-ft2 applied technology and sculpture building, and a track & field complex. The majority of existing buildings have been renovated. A dynamic energy center directs campus-wide efficiencies, and two wind generators have reduced purchased power needs by approximately 55%, resulting in annual savings on energy costs of about $700,000.
• FHSU promotes intellectual life and cultural experiences for the community and the region through university programs and services, including theatre, music, art, and library programs throughout the year.
• Faculty are collegial and cooperative, are personally invested in the institution and community, often know their students by name, and create opportunities for engagement where they can have a positive impact on the lives of students.

The Role of the Vice President for Administration and Finance

The Vice President of Administration and Finance functions as the CFO for Fort Hays State University. Reporting directly to the president, the VPAF works across the university to optimize the university’s decision-making capabilities and inspire the highest standards of financial performance. As a key member of the university’s executive leadership team, the VPAF develops and implements strategies and procedures to ensure the financial viability of the university, enabling FHSU to advance its educational mission. The VPAF will oversee a team of approximately 190 talented employees. Functional areas include budgeting and planning, accounting, business office, central purchasing, facilities planning, human resources, physical plant, printing services, purchasing, student fiscal services, technology services, and university police.

The VPAF provides a range of financial services and operations to support the fiscal integrity of the university. Through strong stewardship of the university’s financial resources, enforcement of effective policy, procedures, and internal controls, and through accurate financial reporting, the team strives to serve the university’s diverse customer base and safeguard the public trust through responsive and reliable financial management.

The successful candidate will be a confident and innovative leader with strong knowledge of strategic planning, process improvement, fund accounting, and project management. The new leader will also understand and respect shared governance and promote an environment that encourages teamwork, inclusive decision-making, and a sense of community.

Responsibilities of the Vice President for Administration and Finance

• Provide leadership for the division of administration and finance as aligned with our planning processes:  campus strategic plan, strategic enrollment plan, and master plan.
• Hire, develop, and retain high quality administration and finance staff and build a team-oriented environment.
• Establish, approve and implement operating procedures to control and account for the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the institution in accordance with applicable regulations and generally accepted accounting principles for both public and private funds.  To oversee audits of the financial operation, to discharge the finance functions in accordance with state statutes and to report to the president as appropriate.
• Establish, approve and implement operational procedures to purchase on behalf of the University in the most economical way, interest in real property, contractual services, rentals of all types, supplies and materials, equipment and services in accord with state of Kansas procedures.
• Establish, approve and implement operating procedures to manage and maintain the fixed and plant assets; the inventory of movable equipment of the institution, and the disposal, salvage or demolition thereof; and to administer and supervise all capital construction contracts and renovation projects.
• Establish, approve and implement internal budget procedures in compliance with the policies and guidelines of the Board of Regents, the Governor’s Budget Division and the Legislative Research Department.
• Establish, approve and implement operating procedures to provide specific centralized support services (postal, telecommunications, risk management and specific auxiliary services and enterprises) common to the efficient administration of the institution.
• Establish, approve and implement operating procedures for the administration of all human capital policies and employment benefits.
• Review and sign contracts pursuant to delegated authority and recommend or negotiate all early retirement or other agreements concerning staff personnel.
• Establish, approve and implement procedures to ensure the prudent administration and coordination of the authority granted to the University, including reimbursement procedures for travel, entertainment and recruitment expenses and compliance with the applicable policies and regulations approved by the Board of Regents.
• Establish, approve and implement operating procedures addressing risk management and to secure and protect the assets and personnel of the institution, including assurance of safe working places, control of parking, traffic and emergency procedures.
• Manage the investments of university funds and the assurance and retirement of long-and short-term obligations in accordance with the policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Regents and the state of Kansas.
• Act as the University’s fiscal liaison with the Board of Regents and the Fort Hays State University Foundation.
• Act as the President’s liaison to the USS/UPS Staff Senate and to act for the President as appropriate in the day-to-day management of operations and communications with the USS/UPS Senate.
• Manage the buildings and grounds of the University and establish, approve and implement operating procedures to control and account for these assets.
• Participate in facilities planning and assure that a university-wide perspective is appropriately represented in the space and renovation discussions.
• Establish, approve and implement operating procedures to manage effectively campus security.  To oversee positive working relationships with local and state law enforcement emergency officials.
• Oversee the following processes and committees: the athletics advisory board, employee tuition assistance, residence classification appeals, staff development committee, traffic committee.

Minimum Qualifications

• A master’s degree in higher education leadership/administration, business administration, operations management, accounting, finance, or a relevant discipline
• A minimum of 10 years of successful financial management at the executive level

Preferred Qualifications

• Experienced in public higher education and has demonstrated ability to work in a diverse academic community
• Understanding of, and respect for, shared governance
• Knowledge of strategic planning, process improvement, fund accounting, and project management
• Demonstrated accomplishments developing and attaining strategic goals and objectives within a complex organizational setting/preferably higher education
• Demonstrated competencies in fiscal management, financial accounting and reporting, business management and administrative management practices
• Skillful in accounting, budget management, investment management, and project management
• Proven experience in planning and developing comprehensive capital and operating budgets for a wide-ranging portfolio of accounts
• Knowledgeable about institutional financial planning to include budget forecasting, debt, investments and risk management
• Strong analytical and organizations skills; detail-oriented
• Works fluently with financial data
• Supports a collaborative and deliberative decision-making process
• Possesses excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experienced supervising others and with general office management; creating and prompting an environment that encourages teamwork, inclusive decision-making, and a sense of community
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment
• Enduring commitment to learning; growth mindset
• Demonstrated a high degree of integrity, credibility, and discretion

Appointment Date:  January 2022

Priority Application Date: Review of applications will commence on September 26, 2021 and will continue until the position is filled.

Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience.

Benefits: Competitive benefit package http://www.fhsu.edu/humanresourceoffice/Prospective-Employees/

Application Process:  To apply for this position, please visit https://fhsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CAREERS .  Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.

Required Application Documents:  Letters of application, including a resume or vitae, transcripts, (official transcripts are required at the time of employment), and the names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses for four current professional references should be submitted. Applicant documents should be submitted in one PDF.

If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:

Shannon Lindsey, Human Resource Director

[email protected]

785-628-4462

ABOUT HAYS, KS

Candidates will discover a locale where professional satisfaction and career achievement are paired with an optimal quality of life. Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, Kansas, a vibrant, growing community of over 20,000 that takes great pride in the University's presence. Hays is a celebration of historic and contemporary contrasts, evidenced in its frontier roots highlighted throughout the city and local museums and in its redeveloped downtown area where residents enjoy one-of-a-kind restaurants, unique shopping, and a vibrant arts scene. This community’s commitment to the future inspires Hays businesses to reinvest locally.

A welcoming and family-centered community, Hays offers premier healthcare services, a growing high-tech and retail business community, and excellent Pre-K and K–12 schools in both the private and public sectors. The City of Hays has long been known as a safe community, and the FHSU campus is recognized by the National Council for Home Safety and Security in 2018 as one of the Top 100 Safest College Campuses in America. For entertainment, recreation, education, employment, or simply for a comfortable place to live, residents of all ages will find in Hays the elements that contribute to a safe, enjoyable, and fulfilling lifestyle.

Notice of Non-discrimination – Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.

Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.

Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.