Vice President for Administration and Finance/COO

Job Details

Truman State University
Truman State University—Missouri's only public liberal arts and sciences university—seeks a strategic and collaborative leader to serve as Vice President for Administration and Finance/Chief Operating Officer (VPAF/COO). As a key member of the President's Executive Leadership Team, the VPAF/COO will be responsible for advancing operational excellence, guiding long-range planning, and fostering a campus environment that supports student success, faculty and staff effectiveness, and the University's mission.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Budget

• Develop and oversee operating budgets for Education & General, Auxiliary, and Restricted areas totaling $122.7 million. Responsible for financial projections, state budget requests, and related reporting.

Leadership

• Provide comprehensive leadership and management for the Comptroller, Director of Human Resources, Director of the Physical Plant and their respective units of Business Operations, Human Resources, and Physical Plant and Facilities Construction. Foster teamwork, accountability, and creative problem-solving across all units.
• Business Operations: Responsible for the Business Office, including accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, collections, financial statements, and budget control.
• Human Resources: Responsible for the Human Resources Office including payroll, benefits, and employment services.
• Physical Plant and Facilities Construction: Responsible for the entire physical plant operations including custodial, grounds, trades, maintenance and repair, and capital construction. This includes over two million square feet of academic and auxiliary facilities.

Strategic and Institutional Research and Planning

• Oversee performance improvements by working closely with the President to guide the implementation of the strategic plan, as well as ensure accreditation compliance.
• Engages in evidence-based decision-making through the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of data concerning students, faculty, staff, and operations.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements (safety, labor, environmental, etc.) and manage operational risks, including emergency preparedness.

Qualifications

• A master's degree in a discipline relevant to the position.
• Progressive leadership experience within a complex organization with increasing scope and responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience in simultaneously managing multiple large-scale projects and facilities operations.
• Ability to manage complex initiatives.
• Significant business acumen and judgment; substantial experience in budget planning and financial administration.
• Relevant experience in the broad range of functions reporting to the position.
• Ethical and strategic decision-maker with an openness to change and innovation.
• Strategic planning skills.
• Proven experience in long-range planning.
• Excellent ethics, communication, analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Sophisticated understanding of the role of metrics in informing decision-making and driving institutional performance.