Virginia State University, located in Petersburg, Virginia, invites applications and suggestions of dynamic and thoughtful candidates to be its next Vice President for Finance and CFO. The Vice President serves as the institution's senior financial leader.
Reporting to the President, the VP/CFO holds broad institutional responsibility for the university’s financial health, operational integrity, and administrative effectiveness. This executive will oversee a full spectrum of financial functions — including budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, procurement, and related administrative services — ensuring that resources are strategically aligned with VSU's academic mission and long-term institutional priorities.
The VP/CFO will serve as a key member of the President's cabinet, contributing to university-wide strategic planning and policy development while maintaining rigorous stewardship of public funds in compliance with Commonwealth of Virginia requirements and applicable federal regulations.
The successful candidate will bring demonstrated senior leadership experience in higher education or a comparably complex public-sector environment, a strong command of governmental accounting and financial management, and the interpersonal acumen to build trust across a diverse campus community. Experience navigating the regulatory and governance landscape of a public university, along with a record of building high-performing administrative teams, will be essential to success in this role.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field (advanced degree and/or CPA, CMA, CFA, or comparable professional certification preferred)
Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible financial leadership experience, with a significant portion in a higher education or public sector setting.
Experience developing and presenting financial reports, budget proposals, and strategic plans to a governing board or equivalent oversight body.
Track record of successful external audit outcomes and experience managing relationships with independent auditors and state audit agencies.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Compensation and Benefits This is a full-time, on-site role based in Petersburg, VA. The anticipated salary range for this position is $225,000-275,000, commensurate with experience. Virginia State University offers excellent and competitive benefits. For more information, please reach out to their Human Resources department at: https://www.vsu.edu/hr/contact-us.php
Application Process DSG |Storbeck, the Education Practice of DSG Global, has been exclusively retained to lead and administer the search for the next VP/CFO. Evaluation of candidate materials will begin immediately and continue until a new Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer is named.
Nominations and suggestions of candidates may be sent to the search team. All inquiries and nominations sent to the search team will be kept completely confidential.
VSU Equal Employment Opportunity Virginia State University is committed to excellence through ensuring nondiscrimination in its academic programs and work environment.? We will take affirmative steps to ensure equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants, students and employees regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, marital status, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or veteran status. ?EEO rights are guaranteed by federal and state fair employment laws and are enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and its state counterparts.
Search Team Christopher Lee, Ph.D., SPHR Managing Director
