Extension Chief Finance Officer
About the Job
Working Title: Extension Chief Finance Officer
Appointment: Full time, job code 9345FG - Finance Director 1, Fin Gnrlst
Estimated Salary: $160,000 - $230,000; DOQ
Office Location: Coffey Hall, St Paul campus, with flex work options
Reports to: Dean of Extension
Apply By: July 19, 2026
Position Summary
The Chief Finance Officer (CFO) works directly with the dean, associate deans and department heads, unit leaders and others to lead the development, implementation and assessment of University of Minnesota Extension’s short- and long-term financial strategies. This includes fiscal administration, budget planning, financial analysis and managing an annual, zero-based budget process across the college. The CFO is responsible for developing strategies that support Extension and University of Minnesota strategic plans, the financial health of the college and opportunities for reinvestment and growth.
This position is also responsible for ensuring compliance with all University, federal, state, and local financial regulations and policies; providing financial data and analysis for strategic decision making; providing counsel to college leaders on significant financial issues; developing and improving financial systems; and representing the college in University-level budget processes. The position also leads a team of finance and grant professionals.
Key Responsibilities
Lead financial strategy, analysis and forecasting, and decision making - 40%
- Oversee the design, implementation, and assessment of Extension’s short- and long-term financial strategies, ensuring alignment with the college’s mission, and Extension and University strategic priorities.
- Perform high-level portfolio analysis and financial modeling to identify key performance indicators, capitalize on program synergies, and align resource allocation with strategic program development.
- Analyze and interpret financial information pertaining to the performance of Extension, and provide counsel to the dean, associate deans and other unit leaders concerning business policy, financial strategy, resource allocation and business operations to improve financial performance.
- Analyze and project future income and expenditure streams through financial modeling to support the college’s strategic and business plans and enterprise development.
- Oversee Extension’s annual, zero-based budgeting process and ensure it is aligned to the University’s central budget development cycle. Manage the budget process, including preparation of the annual budget, allocation of resources to units, meeting University reallocation requirements and helping to identify opportunities for efficiency and reinvestment.
- In close collaboration with Extension Human Resources, monitor and analyze employment trends to inform recommendations on position salaries, use of merit pools, market-rate salary adjustments, succession planning, among other HR-related issues that impact budget.
- Identify and track trends, including changes in revenue sources; expenditures; and the terms and conditions of federal, state, county and University policies and funding sources. Advise leaders on what those trends mean for Extension strategies and programs.
- Participate in University-wide committees and work collaboratively with other colleges/campuses across the University on significant financial issues.
Oversee financial operations and compliance - 40%
- Manage the financial operations and controls for Extension, including implementing short- and long-term plans; coordinating, administering and evaluating systems, projects and processes; and coordinating activities among multiple finance functions.
- Oversee the full range of Extension financial issues, including but not limited to: financial administration of sponsored and non-sponsored projects, charitable contributions, external sales, sponsorships and University/taxpayer funds; program agreements; capital asset inventory; financial transactions; and reporting systems. Also provide oversight, review, and signing of contracts/agreements.
- Within the framework of University guidelines, determine overall objectives, priorities and processes to ensure effective financial systems and practices that may be consistently deployed across Extension. Interpret, document and systematize communication of financial data, policies and processes for Extension leaders, faculty and staff and policymakers/the public – including preparing information for requests to state and federal lawmakers and in response to data requests.
- Monitor ongoing performance against the budget throughout the year, providing information tools and coaching to unit managers/directors to monitor progress. Identify decision points and assist in final decision making and implementation.
- Ensure compliance with University and federal, state and local laws, regulations, codes and/or standards. Evaluate and develop improved internal controls to ensure compliance with accounting principles, external regulations and the financial requirements of partner agreements. This also includes managing implementation of the University’s Delegations of Authority and risk management processes.
- Utilize effective accounting practices and procedures, personnel and other systems needed to ensure financial accountability and timely reporting of financial data. Initiate system improvements as needed.
- Manage year-end closing of fiscal year operating budgets.
- Create reports and manage special projects for the Dean, including Extension-wide contracts for professional services, standard services, large-scope agreements and payment of Dean’s Office invoices.
- Collaborate with the director of statewide operations regarding Memoranda of Agreement with all of Minnesota’s 87 counties; to inform space agreements and leases; and to ensure effective, responsive and efficient service delivery from Extension’s Regional and Campus Support Systems teams.
- Work closely with Extension’s lead development officer to steward and manage development resources and scholarships, and with the human resources director in regard to staffing and compensation strategies.
- Be responsive to Extension leaders or others who have questions pertaining to finance-related matters and establish opportunities for instruction/training as necessary.
- Serve as collegiate point of contact for the University’s Department of Internal Audits. Coordinate internal financial audits, which includes coordinating submission of documentation requested by Internal Audits, drafting responses to findings and ensuring that auditor findings are addressed/resolved.
Mentor and manage Extension employees - 10%
- Mentor and manage direct reports and their teams to focus on Extension goals, effective and efficient operations and the ability to work strategically across the college.
- Recruit, hire, develop, retain and evaluate employees. This position has management and oversight responsibilities for a team that includes 9 finance professionals and 2 grants/contracts professionals. The finance and planning team also provides work direction to a team of administrative support professionals who prepare financial documents.
- Foster a work environment in which staff are committed to excellence, responsive customer service, teamwork, respect, continuous improvement, and inclusivity.
Collaborate with leaders across Extension, the University and nationally - 10%
- Serve as a senior member of Extension’s leadership team.
- Serve as a primary liaison with University of Minnesota administrators and units, including University Budget, Controller and Directors of areas such as accounting services, purchasing, external sales, etc., Office of Risk Management and Insurance, Internal Audits, Tax Management, Sponsored Projects Administration, FINOps (central shared services teams) and Real Estate, among others.
- Build and maintain relationships with professional colleagues in Extension systems nationally, including the National Extension Research and Administrative Officers (NERAOC).
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or a related area
- Twelve years of related experience, including significant financial management experience
- Three years of experience supervising finance professionals
- Experience with federal, state and/or county funding, as well as granting agencies and donor resource management
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills that include listening, openness to feedback and diverse perspectives.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, including experience in translating financial information to a variety of audiences.
- Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with administrators, faculty and staff
- Expert skills in Microsoft Office, the Google suite, Zoom, and other software tools for financial management and reporting
Preferred
- Strong University of Minnesota financial systems background and experience
- A collaborative leadership style with a commitment to and experience fostering a welcoming and effective organizational culture.
- Related experience at the University of Minnesota, another institution of higher education, or another large, complex, mission-driven organization
- Experience leading financial and multifunctional teams
- Master’s degree in a related field
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