Vice President for Administration and Finance

Campus Title: Vice President for Administration and Finance
State Job Title: Vice President
Department: Administration and Finance
Job Code: HA8000
FLSA Status: Exempt
Funding: 7115-0100
Bargaining Unit: Non-Unit Professional
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Timeframe: 52 Weeks
Shift: Monday through Friday
Regular Days Off: Saturday and Sunday
Supervision Received: The vice president reports directly to the president.
Supervision Exercised: The vice president supervises the associate vice president of finance, associate vice president of strategic finance and institutional planning, associate vice president of facilities and capital planning, associate vice president of human resources, assistant vice president of information and instructional technology services (chief information and security officer), director of dining services, director of procurement and administrative services, and director of emergency response and risk management as well as other staff within the division.
Salary: $215,000.00 to $235,000.00 (salary commensurate with education and experience)
Start Date: June 1, 2026

Westfield State University seeks a strategic and innovative leader for the role of Vice President for Administration and Finance. This executive position serves as the institution's Chief Financial Officer and a member of the President's Cabinet, providing strategic leadership and oversight of all financial, operational, and administrative functions. The successful candidate will guide fiscal integrity, operational excellence, and institutional sustainability, while representing the university to state agencies and community stakeholders. Candidates should possess substantial experience in financial administration and a demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Westfield State University.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Vice President for Administration and Finance (VPAF) serves as the University's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and steward of institutional resources, providing executive leadership and strategic oversight of all financial, operational, and administrative functions. This role is critical to ensure the fiscal integrity, sustainability, and operational excellence of the institution, while supporting its academic mission and public service commitments. As a member of the President's Cabinet, the VPAF serves as a member of the President's Cabinet and partners with the Provost, Chief of Staff, and other divisional Vice Presidents, to contribute to the University's capacity to navigate a continually evolving higher education landscape while promoting the University's regional reputation for academic excellence and an employer of choice, and advancing the University's strategic goals while maintaining affordability and fostering community engagement.

DUTIES OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE:

Chief Financial Officer Functions

• Oversee all financial operations including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and treasury management.
• Develop and implement multi-year financial plans and models aligned with institutional priorities.
• Manage institutional assets including cash reserves, investments, and debt portfolios.
• Lead the development of annual operating and capital budgets in collaboration with academic and administrative units.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations, accounting standards, and audit requirements.
• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to the Board of Trustees, President, and President's Cabinet.
• Oversee cash flow, liquidity planning, and financial contingency strategies.
• Address operational challenges through ongoing prioritization of efforts and associated resource procurement and deployment.
• Maintain internal controls and financial systems to ensure transparency and efficiency.

Strategic Leadership

• Advise senior leadership on financial and administrative matters impacting institutional strategy.
• Lead initiatives to improve financial performance and operational effectiveness.
• Represent the University in financial negotiations, state budget hearings, etc.

Collaboration with Academic Departments

• Partner with academic leadership to align financial planning with academic priorities.
• Support academic program development through financial modeling and resource allocation.
• Facilitate budget planning and financial training for academic units.
• Collaborate on grant management, research funding, and academic capital projects.
• Lead additional projects and oversee administrative initiatives as assigned by the President.

Public University Responsibilities

• Ensure responsible stewardship of public funds and alignment with state appropriations and other state funded programs.
• Lead efforts to maintain affordability and accessibility for students.
• Engage with state agencies, legislators, and community stakeholders to advocate for institutional support.
• Promote financial strategies that support regional workforce development and economic impact.
• Represent the University to a broad range of stakeholders including students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff, grantors, donors, government officials, and community leaders.
• Collaborate with the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) and the Massachusetts State College Building Authority (MSCBA) to optimize funding and campus support.
• Maintain state required Internal Control Plan for the campus.

Administrative Oversight

• Lead, support, and advocate for a strong team comprised of leaders from Financial Accounting, Strategic Finance and Institutional Planning, Facilities and Operations, Human Resources, Information and Instructional Technology Services, Dining Services, Procurement and Administrative Services, and Emergency Response and Risk Management.
• Cultivate communication, flexibility, participatory decision-making, and shared accountability among direct reports, thereby motivating teams to continue to provide a high level of service to the University.
• Oversee IT services to ensure the infrastructure necessary for the adoption and advancement of technology within academic programs, student services, employee training, and university operations.
• Oversee enterprise risk management, insurance programs, and business continuity planning.
• Ensure efficient and compliant operations across all administrative functions.

Facilities and Capital Projects

• Lead planning and oversight of capital projects and infrastructure improvements.
• Manage space utilization, sustainability initiatives, and long-term campus development.
• Prioritize ongoing capital planning and deferred maintenance needs while ensuring best practices in relation to campus, building, and space utilization.
• Oversee space management and master planning processes.

Compliance and Governance

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Oversee internal audit functions.
• Liaison to external auditors, regulatory agencies, and financial institutions.
• Serve as the campus Internal Control Officer.

Job Requirements:
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• The VPAF will be an energetic and accomplished financial leader with a passion for the mission and institutional values of Westfield State University.
• Master's degree in finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field.
• Strong track record of success in strategic management and financial administration, and the requisite experience to lead administrative teams and operations.
• Substantial and progressive leadership experience in finance and administration.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic financial planning, budget management, and operational leadership.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• CPA preferred.
• Experience with strategic management and financial administration in higher education or public agencies in Massachusetts.
• Leadership experience in finance and administration in higher education or public sector.
• Familiarity with higher education funding and governance models.
• Experience working in unionized and regulatory environments.
• Experience with state procurement processes, legislative funding cycles, and MA finance systems and platforms.

Additional Information:
Salary:

Salaries for current Westfield State University employees and individuals currently working for the state of Massachusetts must be calculated individually in accordance with collective bargaining agreements as well as state policies. State job specifications may be found on the Department of Higher Education's webpage.

Employee Benefits:

Benefits are an important component of an employee's total compensation package.

• Health Insurance: Westfield State offers a variety of HMO, POS, and PPO-type health insurance plans for eligible employees. Coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following the date of hire. Exceptions to employees hired on the 1st of the month, coverage is effective immediately.
• Retirement: the MA State Employee Retirement System provides eligible employees with a retirement pension following a 10-year vesting period. In lieu of the retirement pension, eligible employees may select the Optional Retirement Plan with a maximum 5% employer matching contribution.
• Tuition Waivers & Discounts: eligible employees, including spouses and dependent children, receive reduced tuition at MA state colleges, community colleges, and universities.
• Paid Time Off: employees receive 12 paid holidays and generous vacation, personal, and sick leave benefits.
• Additional information regarding employee benefits is available on the University's Benefits & Wellness webpage.

Disability Accommodations

Westfield State University is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and will ensure the availability of reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at (413) 572-8809 or visit us in the Horace Mann Building, 1st floor.

Background Check

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion and review of a background check. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration.


To apply, visit http://westfield.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=196349





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