Job Title: Vice President for Finance and Administration

Division: Finance and Administration

Reports To: President

Status: Exempt, Full Time.

Location: Onsite – San Rafael, CA, USA

Position Summary
Dominican University of California invites applications for the position of Vice President for Finance and Administration.

The Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA) is responsible for the university’s finance, business services, human resources, information technology, facilities, and auxiliary functions, and for ensuring compliance with governmental policies and procedures applicable to colleges and universities.  The VPFA partners with the budgeting office and is responsible for all financial aspects of the University’s strategy and operations.The VPFA is a key advisor and partner to the President and will work in close harmony with the President’s Cabinet, which includes the Vice Presidents and Deans.  The VPFA will also work closely with the Board of Trustees’ Finance & Investment, Audit, and Facilities Committees. The VPFA has eight direct reports, including the Executive Assistant (10 hours), Controller, Director of Budget Development and Planning, Financial Data and Analytics Manager, Director of Human Resources, Director of Facilities, an outsourced Vendor – Information and Technology Services, and a Contracts Manager.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Drives long-range financial planning as an integral part of the strategic planning process
  Presents timely, accurate, and relevant financial reports, projections, and analysis to the President, the Board of Trustees, the Cabinet, and the campus community
• Provides strategic financial analysis and modeling to support enrollment management, academic program development, and institutional decision-making
• Collaborates with advancement leadership on endowment management, investment oversight, and planned giving support

Board and Executive Leadership

• Delivers regular reports to the Board of Trustees’ Finance & Investment, Audit, and Facilities Committees; guides agenda development and conversation as needed
• Acts as key leader on the President’s Executive Staff and President’s Cabinet and all appropriate governance committees, including but not limited to the Budget & Priorities Committee and the Space & Facilities Committee

Financial Management and Compliance

• Oversees the business services office’s external audit of financial statements, Circular A-133, and 403b plan, related filings in compliance with GAAP, IRS, CEFA, Moody’s, or other reporting requirements, and related committees such as RPAC
• Ensures the development, implementation, and control of the annual budget and reporting
• Oversees the development and monitoring of the capital budget and cash management analysis
• Ensures compliance with governmental policies and procedures as they apply to colleges and universities

Operations and Innovation

• Directs the operations of the human resources, information technology, and facilities departments and provides leadership in the areas of communication, projects, decision-making, and policy-making as necessary
• Actively recommends and implements ways to improve, streamline, and automate current systems and processes for all departments within oversight.
• Reviews, evaluates, and recommends improvements to internal control systems, policies, and procedures.
• Leads digital transformation initiatives, ensuring effective use of technology and strengthening cybersecurity posture
• Leads sustainability initiatives in facilities, operations, and procurement aligned with university values and environmental stewardship

Risk Management and Contracts

• Oversees all risk management activities and guides Risk Team activities and priorities
• Reviews and approves all university contracts, including interaction with insurance and legal counsel as needed.
• Evaluates and drives all insurance activities required for the university
• Ensures business continuity planning and institutional resilience

People, Leadership, and Culture

• Supervises exempt and non-exempt staff and oversees the supervision of contracted services
• Champions diversity, equity, and inclusion in hiring practices, compensation strategies, and vendor selection
• Forges active and proactive business relationships, both internally and externally
• Performs other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum five years of related work experience
• Minimum five years of management experience

Technical Competencies

• Proficiency in accounting/financial management principles, practices, and procedures as they relate to college and university environments
• Management-level experience in other supervised areas, including human resources, facilities, and construction management, contract negotiation, and resource planning
• Board management experience
• Demonstrated supervisory skills, including employee recruitment, training, development, and evaluation

Leadership Qualities and Competencies

• Collaborative leadership style with high emotional intelligence and the ability to build trust across the organization
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and comfort with transparency; ability to translate complex financial information for diverse audiences
• Strong personal commitment to ethics and the ability to maintain confidentiality where required
• History of development as a motivated team player, with multi-tasking skills and the ability to gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion
• Ability to provide and promote a service-oriented approach to internal and external clients
• Change leadership experience with an innovation mindset.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business, accounting, financial management, or related field
• CPA certification
• Experience in a higher education environment and shared governance.
• Experience in a tax-exempt entity and familiarity with applicable state and federal tax and regulatory codes
• Experience leading organizational change and transformation initiatives
• Track record of building and mentoring high-performing, diverse teams

Compensation and Benefits
Dominican University of California recognizes that our employees are our most valuable asset. Every employee contributes to the organization’s success and to our mission. This position is physically located on campus in San Rafael, California. Benefits include medical, vision, dental, health savings account, flexible spending account, 403(b) matching contribution, and commuter benefits. As a full-time employee, you and your family have access to the gym and pool. Employees have discounts on meals at the dining hall. Dominican University offers 23 paid holidays. Tuition benefits are available for employees and dependents after 6 months. Compensation is based upon experience and merit. The salary range is $230,000-$250,000.

Dominican University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to excellence through diversity and takes pride in its multicultural environment. We are committed in thought, word, and deed to recruiting and retaining a workforce that values the diversity of its student body. The University actively promotes an institutional culture that practices equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from members of all underrepresented groups in higher education.