"CFO & Vice President of Finance"

CFO & Vice President of Finance

The University of Redlands welcomes applications and nominations for the position of Chief Financial Officer & Vice President of Finance (CFO/VPF). Reporting to the University President, the CFO/VPF will bring sharp financial acumen and strategic vision to stabilize and strengthen the university's financial position. This leader must combine analytical rigor with transparent, collaborative leadership, identifying risks and opportunities early, making judicious decisions, and building confidence across the institution.

The Chief Financial Officer & Vice President of Finance will oversee the planning, development, implementation, and maintenance of the University’s administrative and financial services and departments, supporting and promoting profitable goals and objectives. They will play a key role in furthering the University of Redlands mission through leadership and service in the areas of budget formulation and management, compliance, accounting, and financial reporting, procurement and contracts management.

The CFO/VPF will serve as the primary financial liaison to the Board of Trustees while overseeing all institutional financial operations, including budget development, strategic planning, compliance, risk management, and the financial integration of mergers and acquisitions. The position requires developing and implementing key performance indicators, maintaining financial systems and controls, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and organizational regulations while managing relationships with ratings agencies and external stakeholders. Additionally, the role involves leading and supervising financial staff, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, and serving as a strategic steward of the university's endowment, investments, and assets in collaboration with university leadership.

The CFO/VPF will have a bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to the role, such as business, finance, or accounting and a demonstrated expertise in strategic financial planning, financial analysis, asset management, debt financing, and accounting. A minimum of 10 years of experience in a leadership role is required, preferably with both external audit and in-house financial management experience. They must be a strong team member and collaborator who is committed to shared governance and appropriate transparency along with a commitment to the highest ethical standards. A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion with the ability to competently interact with a culturally and ethnically diverse population of students, faculty, and staff is a must.

The full position description can be viewed here.

The University of Redlands is a private nonprofit institution with approximately 3,800 students across three California campuses (Redlands, Marin, and Burbank), offering over 60 undergraduate and 40 graduate programs that combine liberal arts with professional education. Designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution, the university serves a diverse student body in which 48 percent are first-generation college students, supported by more than 265 full-time faculty and 350 staff members. With over 120,000 alumni and a 92 percent satisfaction rate among recent College of Arts and Sciences graduates, the university continues expanding through initiatives like the planned University Village development connecting to regional transit systems.

The University of Redlands has retained Opus Partners to support this recruitment. Craig Smith, Senior Partner, Kenna Boyd, Partner, and Thomas Lapierre, Senior Associate, are leading the search. Confidential inquiries, applications, and nominations should be submitted by email to Thomas Lapierre at thomas.lapierre@opuspartners.net. To be considered by the University’s search committee, candidates must provide a CV/resume and a letter of introduction that addresses the specific responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications described above. Please consult Opus Partners for more information about the application process.

Annual salary for the role is budgeted between $300,000 – $360,000, commensurate with experience.