Sr. Associate Vice President - Financial Services

Job Summary

The Sr. Associate Vice President - Financial Services will serve as a strategic and tactical senior leader within the finance division of Lamar University and is responsible for the oversight and strategic direction of financial services operations. Reporting directly to the VP for Operations & Chief Financial Officer, this position plays a critical role in supporting the financial stability and sustainability of the institution by developing and implementing sound financial service strategies that align with the institution's mission, vision, and goals. This role requires a deep understanding of the regulatory environment within higher education and involves close collaboration with senior leadership and internal/external stakeholders to support decision-making and optimize financial services to the campus community.

Essential Job Functions

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of daily financial service operations including procurement, payment services, payroll, contracts, treasury, financial reporting, and travel. Ensure timely completion and submission of deliverables to internal and external stakeholders in accordance with established deadlines.
• Participates in and supports shared business services initiatives by providing strategic guidance, monitoring operational impacts, and assisting in the alignment and coordination of resources to support institutional and system objectives.
• Maintain and continuously review administrative policies and procedures to ensure full compliance, operational effectiveness, and high quality service delivery.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership by providing operational and process assessments, forecasting analyses, variance analyses, and other data-informed recommendations to support institutional planning and resource allocation in alignment with the institutions overall strategic plan.
• Foster a team dynamic of customer service, innovation, continuous improvement, and collaboration within the financial services unit to develop a high-performing financial services team.
• Monitor and assess financial service operations risks and opportunities, and implement strategies as needed for risk mitigation and process optimization.
• Other duties as assigned by the VP for Operations & Chief Financial Officer.

Minimum and Desired Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration or field closely related to the position summary and essential job functions.
• 5-7 years progressively increasing responsibility in financial management within a complex organizational setting.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in business administration or field closely related to the position summary and essential job functions and 8+ years progressively increasing responsibility and experience in financial management within higher education.