"Vice President, Finance and Administration/CFO"

Vice President, Finance and Administration/CFO

University of South Dakota

Posting Number: NFE02982P

Department: USD-Financial Affairs

Physical Location of Position (City): Vermillion

The University of South Dakota is seeking a dynamic, strategic-minded and collaborative executive to serve as the next Vice President for Finance and Administration.

The Vice President for Finance & Administration (VPFA) serves as the university's chief financial and administrative officer, providing strategic leadership, operational excellence, and mission-aligned stewardship across core financial and administrative functions. Key areas reporting to the VPFA include budget and finance, accounting, business office, internal auditing, risk management, auxiliary and enterprise services; post-award administration; facilities management and human resources.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serves as the President's chief advisor on financial, administrative, and operational strategy.
• Provides executive leadership for finance and budget, auxiliary services, post award administration, facilities, human resources, and internal controls.
• Drives long-range financial planning, multi-year budgeting, scenario modeling, and capital and space planning.
• Aligns financial and administrative strategies with enrollment trends, academic priorities, research activity, and state funding dynamics.
• Ensures strong financial controls, regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and high-quality financial data governance.
• Stewards safe, efficient, sustainable campus environments and advances energy management and operational efficiency.
• Leads HR functions and promotes a people-centered culture focused on engagement, growth, inclusion, and organizational effectiveness.
• Ensures financial, HR, and facilities policies are transparent, equitable, compliant, and mission-aligned.
• Represents the university on the South Dakota Board of Regents Business Affairs Council and on system and legislative matters of importance to the university.
• Builds strong partnerships with the USD Foundation, state and local agencies, and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will be a trusted, collaborative leader with uncompromising integrity and a proven record of guiding complex organizations. They possess extensive experience in financial strategy, budgeting and forecasting, internal controls, compliance, facilities management, human resources, and the oversight of diverse auxiliary operations.

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, management, business administration, public administration or a related degree is required; a master's degree or CPA is preferred.
• A minimum of seven years of successful and progressive senior administrative leadership in finance and administration.
• Demonstrated success in financial planning, budgeting, facilities oversight, HR leadership, and organizational management in a complex organizational setting.
• Experience in higher education and/or public sector is preferred.

Open Until Filled: Yes

First Consideration Date: 03/09/2026

Advertised Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and education

Duration of the Term: 12 months

Appointment Percent: 100

Appointment Type: Regular

This position requires: Travel, Overnight stays, Weekends/Holidays