"Vice President for Finance & Administration/Chief Financial Officer (MnSCU Admin-13)"

Job Description

The Vice President for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer (VPFA/CFO) provides leadership to Winona State University’s division of Finance and Administration, including oversight of the university’s Financial, Facilities, Human Resources, Campus Safety, Environmental Health and Safety, and Emergency Management functions. Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the President’s Cabinet, the VPFA/CFO contributes business intelligence, insight, and expertise to the university’s executive leadership team. The VPFA/CFO is responsible for ensuring the fiscal and administrative integrity of the university.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Recommend and implement policies and strategies, build relationships, and provide expert management that will ensure the continued financial strength of the University. The VPFA/CFO has direct oversight of financial compliance issues and provides timely and accurate financial information on an on-going and as needed basis and prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
2. Administrative support of the University’s mission and strategic plan; provide leadership in developing, monitoring, and communicating the University’s plans for all buildings, grounds, and related operations. Provide administrative support for the University in a manner that consistently conforms to established statutes, policies, and procedures, to ensure the productivity, well-being, and integrity of the University.
3. Directly and indirectly supervise the operations of the various units within Finance Administration. Direct responsibility for Financial and Facilities Management, which includes University Budget Office and Fiscal Planning, Business Office, University Investments and Scholarships, Bookstore, Facilities Planning and Construction, Physical Plant; Environmental Health and Safety, Risk Management and Insurance, Human Resources, Campus Safety, Parking and Emergency Management.
4. Serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet and Council of Administrators. Collaborate with other executive officers of the university and share responsibility for the daily management of the university. Serve on meet and confer teams across the various bargaining units. Lead or serve on various university committees.
5. Participate in university planning both long-range and short-term operational including: short- and long-term financial planning and analysis, strategic direction for space planning, updating and implementing the comprehensive facilities plan, ensuring compliance with all audit related activities, and developing and adopting best practices in administrative departments.
6. Collaborate with the President and Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs to develop a clear strategic hiring plan consistent with the university’s mission; align workforce planning and development with the University’s priority of developing and supporting a strong culture of inquiry that supports collaborations, values differences and promotes a culture of civility and mutual respect.
7. Collaborate with the President and Vice President of Student Life and the Vice President of Enrollment Management to develop a plan for generating and allocating resources for students and enrollment and retention efforts consistent with the educational mission of the university.
8. Collaborate with the President and the Vice President of University Advancement to develop a clear relationship between the University and the WSU Foundation on matters of financial and administrative support in the areas of scholarships, joint facilities projects, and other University support.
9. Represent the University at the Minnesota State Board of Trustees and System Office level on matters pertaining to finance, facilities, and administration; includes the system-wide development and evaluation of business and administrative policies and practices.
10. Interact with individuals, institutions, and businesses in Winona, Rochester, and the rest of the University’s service region to ensure that the mission and mandates of the University are met.
11. Perform other duties as assigned by the President.

The Key Accountabilities of the VPFA/CFO include:

1. Effective and efficient operation of finance and administration departments.
2. Timely, accurate, and complete reports to all stakeholders.
3. Contributing member of the President’s cabinet.
4. Support other units of the University through business and financial insights which will assist them in achieving their goals.
5. Support of the university’s strategic plan by providing, measuring, and maintaining adequate resources to accomplish the plan.
6. Development of financial and other reporting tools required to track and sustain the implementation of the university’s strategic plan.
7. Continued professional development by staying informed of educational, financial, and management trends.
8. Trusted advisor to the President on all matters related to the financial and administrative health of the institution.

Salary Range:

$155,453 - $248,614; commensurate with qualifications and experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution; accounting, finance, business administration, or related field. In lieu of a degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field, relevant experience in finance and operations in higher education may be considered.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a large, complex organization. Professional experience in a combination of the following areas: financial management, annual and strategic budgeting, facilities management, capital project planning, human resource management, and emergency management. Extensive experience in budgeting, financial planning and modeling as well as institution-wide planning and analysis.
• Knowledge of governmental accounting and financial reporting standards under the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Ability to project a strong positive image of the University with parents, students, faculty, staff and others, including community and government leaders and the media.
• Excellent writing, speaking, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively and collegially within a large, complex university system and to negotiate with a wide range of constituencies, including bargaining units.
• Demonstrated record of successful leadership while directing the efforts of professional staff.

Preferred Qualification

• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic vision in complex organizations.
• Demonstrated success in organizing resources and creative problem solving to advance organization initiatives.
• Experience working in higher education and effectiveness within a system of higher education.
• Experience with environmental health and safety, campus safety operations, and emergency management.
• Experience in human resource operations.
• Experience in negotiating contracts including real estate.
• Experience in capital project planning/bonding and external financial relations.
• Evidence of continuing professional education, including remaining current on topics related to finance, facilities and sustainability.

Other Requirements

1. The successful candidate must be able to lawfully accept employment in the United States by the day employment begins. The University regrets that we are unable to offer H1-B sponsorship at this time.

A complete online application will include the following:

• A cover letter that addresses the qualifications listed previously
• Current Curriculum Vitae / Resume
• Transcripts (undergraduate and graduate)
• A list of professional references with contact information

Posting Information:

• Application Deadline: Applications received by January 20, 2026 will be given priority consideration.
• Appointment Date: June 2026
• Primary Location: Winona, MN
• Type of Appointment: Administrator/At-Will
• Telework (Yes/No): No