Chief Financial Officer

Accountabilities: • Lead the development and execution of a sustainable financial strategy aligned with institutional priorities, strategic objectives, and long-term organizational resilience.

• Direct annual budgeting, multi-year forecasting, accounting practices, financial planning, and resource allocation across operating, grant, and capital budgets.

• Maintain strong financial controls and oversee treasury, tax, audit, risk management, compliance, and financial integrity.

• Evaluate institutional performance against budgets and strategic priorities, identifying opportunities for greater efficiency, cost savings, and new revenue.

• Provide timely financial reports, projections, budgets, and analysis for senior leadership and board-level decision-making.

• Oversee accounts, ledgers, financial reporting systems, and compliance with applicable accounting principles, regulatory requirements, and internal controls.

• Lead capital planning, project development, facilities planning, deferred maintenance strategies, and long-term infrastructure planning while maintaining budget discipline.

• Advise senior executives and other leaders on the financial implications of institutional decisions, strategic initiatives, and changing business models.

• Collaborate with academic and administrative leaders to align financial operations with organizational priorities and student success objectives.

• Build understanding among senior leaders and stakeholders of financial processes, resource constraints, and the role of finance in advancing institutional goals.

• Manage relationships with boards, government entities, funding organizations, vendors, consultants, and other external partners on financial and operational matters.

• Negotiate contracts, agreements, auxiliary services, insurance-related arrangements, and other financial partnerships to support effective resource management.

• Lead administrative teams and develop divisional plans that support organizational strategy, operational effectiveness, and continuous improvement.

• Identify opportunities to redesign processes, leverage technology, diversify revenue, and develop alternative funding models.

• Maintain awareness of financial and operational activities across academic and administrative functions to support informed enterprise-wide decision-making.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible relevant experience. Additional directly related experience may substitute for the degree at the stated 2:1 ratio.

• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in financial planning, analysis, management, and budgetary control, including at least 5 years of increasingly responsible administrative, management, and leadership experience. Candidates without a master’s degree require at least 14 years of directly related professional experience.

• Experience in capital planning, project development, financial forecasting, and oversight.

• Extensive experience negotiating contracts and agreements.

• Demonstrated commitment to strategic planning, continuous improvement, and organizational change.

• Experience in public-sector, nonprofit, healthcare, higher education, or similarly complex and regulated environments is preferred.

• Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal regulations and public-sector accounting and financial management principles.

• Experience developing high-performing teams and strengthening leadership capabilities within finance or administrative functions.

• Strong ability to use financial and operational data to guide strategic decisions, resource allocation, and performance improvement.

• Proven ability to lead through fiscal constraints, changing enrollment or revenue conditions, and complex organizational environments while maintaining mission focus.

• Experience identifying new revenue opportunities, strategic partnerships, grants, auxiliary enterprises, and alternative funding models.

• Strong analytical, listening, interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information into clear and actionable insights.

• Ability to build trust and credibility with diverse stakeholders, including executives, employees, board members, government representatives, community partners, and other institutional groups.

• Strong leadership skills and the ability to manage complex organizational change while balancing financial controls with innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives.

• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and mission-driven decision-making.

Benefits

• Annual salary of $106,992–$142,656, commensurate with credentials and relevant experience.

• Regular full-time position based in Syracuse, New York; the role is not remote.

• New York State Local Retirement System pension or an Optional Retirement Plan 401(a).

• Health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness for qualifying borrowers.

• Opportunity to provide executive-level leadership across finance, operations, risk management, budgeting, capital planning, and facilities.

• Exposure to complex financial planning, public-sector accounting, institutional strategy, and resource allocation.

• Collaboration with senior executives, board members, government stakeholders, academic leaders, employees, and community partners.

• Opportunity to develop new revenue strategies, improve business processes, strengthen financial sustainability, and support long-term organizational priorities.

• Mission-driven environment focused on student success, equity, organizational effectiveness, and responsible resource management.

• Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter, and provide three professional references, including two current or former supervisors.

• Final employment is contingent upon a background check, with official transcripts required upon hire.

How Jobgether works: We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team. We appreciate your interest and wish you the best! Why Apply Through Jobgether?

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