"Vice President for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer"

Vice President for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer

Company: Fairmont State University

Job Location: Fairmont, West Virginia

Category: Administrative Vice Presidents

Type: Full-Time

Type of Position: Staff - Full Time

Department: Finance and Administration

Appointment Length: July - June (12 mo)

Benefits Eligible?: Yes

Requested Part-Time Staff Hours: NA

F.T.E.: 1.00

Grant Funded Position?: No

Application deadline: March 24, 2026

Fairmont State University, a four-year, public, comprehensive university located in Fairmont, WV, seeks a strategic, dynamic, and innovative administrative professional to serve as its Vice President for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer (VPFA). Academic Search is assisting and invites inquiries, applications, and nominations.

Reporting to the University President and serving as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Vice President functions as the senior officer and supervises the directors of the units within the Division of Finance and Administration: Grants and Sponsored Programs, Procurement, Accounting, and Facilities. This position is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to support the University, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations, and fostering an all-inclusive environment. The VPFA will work collaboratively with other university departments and stakeholders to drive initiatives that enhance and support the University's mission.

For more information about the institution, position, qualifications, and online application process, please review the full position profile from the Academic Search website: https://www.academicsearch.org/FairmontStateCFO.

Although the position is open until filled, candidates should submit all application materials by Tuesday, March 24. The new VPFA would ideally take office in July 2026.

Dr. Pam Balch, Senior Consultant, is leading this search. All inquiries, applications, and nominations will be held in confidence. To learn more about this opportunity, potential applicants are welcome to submit their CVs to FairmontStateCFO@academicsearch.org to schedule a call.

Although nominations are not required to be considered for this position, leaders who know of outstanding candidates are welcome to submit confidential nominations by sending an email to FairmontStateCFO@academicsearch.org. Please include the nominee's full name, position, institution/organization, and email address.

Fairmont State University does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of race, color, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression/association, national origin, age, height, weight, religion, creed, genetic information, disability, or veteran's status, as identified and defined by law in employment, admissions, and educational programs and activities. Minorities/Women/Veterans/those with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Fairmont State University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because such employee or applicant has inquired about, discussed, or disclosed the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant.

Minimum Required Education

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Required Licenses and/or Certifications

N/A

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Strong finance and accounting background
• Extensive financial leadership in a professional business or higher education institution
• Hands-on experience with entrepreneurial strategic planning and decision making

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or other relevant master's degree
• Experience coordinating with IT staff to manage and/or upgrade accounting systems; systems implementation is strongly preferred.
• A working knowledge of ERP systems
• Outstanding communication, interpersonal and presentation skills
• Demonstrated leadership ability, confidence, and executive presence
• Ability to motivate and support staff
• Excellent analytical, reasoning, and problem-solving skills
• Significant experience working with external auditors, internal controls, and compliance-related issues
• Proven ability to work as a team player, appropriately exhibiting a positive attitude and the ability to deal effectively with and flourish in an environment characterized by multiple complex factors, competing priorities, continuous improvement, ambiguous situations, and resource challenges
• Proven skills in supervising and evaluating assigned staff and in building a highly effective and productive working team
• Demonstrated expertise in project planning, development, and implementation
• Proven analytical abilities to drive fact-based decision making
• The ability to understand and promote the University's strategic and operational programs and goals
• Demonstrated high standards of integrity and ethics
• Highly developed organizational skills with proven ability to multi-task
• Ability to interpret and apply University policies and procedures as appropriate
• Mutual respect and tolerance for varying points of view that result in effective problem solving
• Personal proficiency and knowledge of and ability to utilize administrative applications of information technology.
• Proven analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated commitment to lead and manage change involving faculty and staff in positive and inclusive ways
• Demonstrated experience overseeing procurement operations and facilities and capital projects
• Experience managing institutional risk management and insurance programs

Requisition Number: 2026057SP

Number of Vacancies: 1

Anticipated Hire Date: July 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Quicklink for Posting: https://www.fairmontstatejobs.com/postings/10191

Apply Now