Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, UT Southern (Pulaski, TN)
Reporting directly to the chancellor, the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (VCFA) is a member of the chancellor’s senior leadership team (SLT) and serves as chief business officer for UT Southern, overseeing all financial matters for the campus.
The VCFA plays a crucial role in shaping a sustainable and financially sound direction for UT Southern's financial operations, collaborating closely with the SLT and broader university administration. The Vice Chancellor is responsible for leading the Finance and Administration, which encompasses accounting and financial operations, financial planning and modeling, budgeting, pricing, data integrity, and internal control mechanisms. With direct oversight of the business and campus services, facilities management, IT, auxiliary services, and human resources; the VCFA also acts as the chief budget officer, to achieve the strategic plan’s financial goals and objectives.
The VCFA collaborates closely with campus leadership, school chairs, athletics, and other stakeholders to create and support the University’s financial vision and strategy while ensuring fiscal responsibility. This includes close partnership with the UT Foundation (Advancement) on fundraising initiatives, property acquisitions, and other related activities, all integral to the University’s growth and financial health. The VCFA will ensure transparency, data-informed decision-making, creative solutions, and innovative approaches to improving processes and leading change. This role is pivotal in aligning the University’s financial and administrative functions with its strategic goals.
The VCFA will be expected to serve as a campus ambassador – engaging with the broader community, including elected officials, business and industry, health care, education, and economic development locally, regionally, and statewide. The VCFA may be called upon to represent the University, in public venues, community meetings, and with other stakeholders.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Accepts fiduciary and operating responsibility for the campus and is accountable to the UT System, UT Board of Trustees, and external constituencies for the financial wellbeing of the campus.
- Offers expert strategic planning and financial modeling advice to the chancellor and SLT on academic initiatives, tuition and fees, budget formulation, short-term and long-term financial planning, revenue enhancements, budget efficiencies, budget allocations/reallocations, and other strategies for optimizing resource utilization.
- Provides deep insights and strategic direction related to students, faculty, staff, space, real estate, and overall financial health.
- Ensures all accounting and reporting activities conform to relevant accepted accounting standards and all required local, university, state, and federal reporting is successfully completed.
- Leads campus budget managers with authoritative oversight and direction, ensuring that budget planning and management reflect sophisticated financial modeling and are aligned with the University’s strategic objectives.
- Directs and oversees the functional domains of HR, facilities, IT, campus security, and campus services, fostering, nurturing, and developing expertise within robust teams for optimal performance.
- Coordinates with vice chancellors to develop institutional processes for the financial management and compliance of sponsored projects in accordance with federal regulations, and university and sponsoring agency policies and procedures.
- Oversees the development and maintenance of internal controls to safeguard the financial integrity of the university and ensure compliance with federal, state, and system regulations and policies.
- Ensures the functionality and efficiency of financial services, audits, business operations, contracting and procurement, as well as budget development and analysis.
- Establishes UT Southern as a proactive, data-informed decision-making institution that promotes transparency in fiscal planning, including developing benchmarks for evaluating and assessing the impact and execution of fiscal policies, practices, and their effective implementation.
- Identifies new sources of revenue to support existing programs and provides guidance for the creation and funding of new programs that foster the strategic mission of UT Southern.
- Oversees key campus planning processes and is responsible for overseeing the planning, design, and construction of all maintenance and campus capital projects.
- Develops, plans, and directs special projects, including but not limited to, renovations, space allocations, staffing, equipment purchases, leasing of off-campus space, and contracted services.
- Coordinates with the State Building Commission, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, and various other local and state agencies on financial and capital policy matters.
- Attends monthly UT System Chief Business Officer (CBO) meetings, monthly Fiscal Policy Advisory meetings, serves on systemwide committees, and supports UT System initiatives.
- Promotes and supports the university's commitment to access and engagement.
- Contributes in measurable ways to the mission of UT Southern and fully embraces the systemwide BeOneUT Values.
- Other duties as assigned by the chancellor.
Minimum Qualifications:
A Master’s degree in accounting, business administration, management, or related field is required. Supervisory experience and at least five years of professional, progressive leadership experience and accomplishment in planning, financial modeling, managing, and implementing business and financial systems is also required.
The ideal candidate will have significant experience leading change, establishing accountability, and empowering others. As a highly collaborative leader, the successful candidate will value shared governance and will establish positive working relationships within the campus community, across the UT System, and among external stakeholders.
Additional requirements include:
- Strong commitment to excellence and transparency, uncompromised integrity, and attention to detail.
- Prior financial management experience in the field of higher education.
- Robust understanding of higher education operations and the higher education financial landscape.
- Expertise in risk and financial management, budgeting, and reporting.
- Substantial expertise in executive leadership and forward-thinking financial management.
- Demonstrated expertise in financial modeling, and the creation and execution of budgets.
- Background in working with advancement and overseeing spending from endowment and current use fund accounts (including scholarships).
- Demonstrated expertise in project management, master planning, and strategic plan execution.
- Background overseeing/ensuring campus/college safety and security.
- Experience with and/or leadership for campus/college human resources.
- Experience working with advisory boards, trustees, and/or regents.
- Record of fostering positive working relationships with faculty, staff, and stakeholders.
- Experience leading multi-faceted teams in a complex, high-demand environment, managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Ability to effectively establish, monitor, and achieve measurable goals.
- Ability to interpret and communicate federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to higher education operations and system policies and procedures.
- Proven ability to work effectively, both independently and collaboratively, with cross-functional teams and diverse stakeholders.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills including written, oral, listening, and presentation skills.
- Experience in conceptual thinking, strategic visioning, and change management.
- Strong record of leading innovation and creative problem-solving. Demonstrated record of exceeding expectations.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ability to proactively identify, plan, prioritize, and execute new initiatives.
- Experience with athletic budgets and athletic scholarships.
- Professional certifications (CPA, CMA, etc.).
Applications should include a 1) current CV and 2) a letter of interest that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications described above.
Buffkin/Baker, an executive search firm, is assisting UT Southern in the search. Inquiries of interest, nominations, and applications should be submitted electronically, in confidence, to:
Buffkin / Baker
Mr. Martin M. Baker, Managing Partner
Ms. Chelsie Whitelock, Associate Partner
utsouthernvcfa@buffkinbaker.com
Compensation for the position will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, and much more.
Additionally, Tennessee residents do not pay a state income tax. For more information on the University of Tennessee’s benefits, visit https://hr.tennessee.edu/benefits/
