UCCS | Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration

Vice Chancellor of Administration and Finance Leadership Profile 2022

NATURE OF WORK

The Vice Chancellor of Administration and Finance (VCAF) reports to the Chancellor and is a senior member of the Chancellor’s Leadership Team at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS).

The individual serving in this position is also the Chief Financial Officer for the campus and is responsible for the administrative and fiscal matters within the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, including compliance with all pertinent Federal, State, and University rules, regulations, and policies. In addition, the employee is responsible for providing administrative direction to all assigned administrative staff and departments and ensuring their efficient and effective operation.

ABOUT UCCS

UCCS, one of four universities in the University of Colorado system, has a broad range of degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and professional programs in business, education, engineering, nursing and health science, and public affairs that meet the needs of Colorado’s second-largest metropolitan area and beyond. UCCS seeks to provide unsurpassed, student-centered teaching and learning, and outstanding research and creative work that serve our community, region, state, and nation, aspiring to become a premier comprehensive, regional research university. The campus, founded in 1965, is one of the fastest growing in the state, enrolling approximately 12,000 students annually and offering 53 bachelor degrees, 24 master’s degrees, and 8 doctoral degrees.

UCCS has a history as rich as the views its campus overlooks. As early as the 1920s, the University of Colorado offered courses at numerous Colorado Springs locations. However, when George J. Dwire sold the 80-acre Cragmor Sanitarium to the University of Colorado for $1, the campus was born. From 1965 to 1972, the Colorado Springs Center operated as a division of the CU Boulder campus, however UCCS was recognized as a distinct campus in 1974, along with two Denver campuses.

UCCS grew over the years, and in 1996 the first on-campus student housing opened. The next year, a community referendum merged the city-owned Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences with the campus. During the 2010-2011 new branding campaign, “at” was removed from the official UCCS name (University of Colorado at Colorado Springs) to become University of Colorado Colorado Springs. From its original 80 acres, UCCS has added 450 additional acres along Austin Bluffs Parkway and North Nevada Avenue. Development of the North Nevada Avenue corridor continues, with the recent construction of the Ent Center for the Arts.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The VCAF will be responsible for overseeing, maintaining, and enhancing the University’s overall financial health and aligning the allocation of resources with the University’s strategic priorities. The VCAF will play an integral leadership role in finalizing and implementing a comprehensive strategic plan for the institution. The VCAF will oversee the Offices of Student Financial Services, Controller, Human Resources, Public Safety, Facilities, Capital Planning and Construction, Parking and Transportation, Campus Sustainability, Campus Planning, Campus Policy, and Budgets and Planning.

The VCAF will be responsible for identifying trends that might impact the University’s fiscal standing and developing and implementing strategies to prevent, manage, and mitigate these issues, and will serve as the institution’s primary liaison to external bond rating agencies. The VCAF will also have the opportunity to strategically assess and re-structure (if necessary) the existing finance and business units responsible for the functions identified above. The VCAF will work with the Chancellor and the Cabinet members on the strategic vision for the University and provide expert advice on administrative, financial and enrollment management matters including budget, debt management, capital construction, financial strategies, enrollment strategies, business services and operations.

PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT VCAF

Assessing and refining the current budget model to ensure greater accuracy and transparency: UCCS currently operates under an incremental budget model and is transitioning to an RCM-Based Budget Model effective July 1, 2022. The new VCAF will assess the current structure and work collaboratively with leadership and stakeholders to carry forward the implementation of the new budget model. UCCS has a strong desire to shift to a more inclusive, holistic, cohesive, and transparent budgeting process that takes a multi-year approach to budgeting, incentivizes mission-based growth opportunities, and transparently aligns resource allocations with the University’s principles, values, and priorities. The VCAF will ensure the necessary resources are in place to support the transition and ensure that the University takes full advantage of reporting tools, business intelligence, and rich data analytics.

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

The VCAF will bring a proven track record of successful and progressively responsible senior leadership in finance and budget within a large, complex organization. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in the identification and analysis of complex financial issues and the formulation of creative and innovative institutional strategies to manage and mitigate those issues, and they will be able to effectively lead and implement a change agenda.

The next VCAF will possess broad-based experience in many of the following areas, including: • developing complex financial strategies; • financial and investment management; • debt financing and management; • cash flow management; and, • budgeting and governmental, fund and grant accounting.

Candidates will demonstrate a successful history of collaboratively working with both internal and external constituencies, exemplary verbal and written communications skills, expertise in presenting complex issues, a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and should exhibit a high-level of ethics and integrity. The VCAF will manage a broad and inclusive portfolio of projects currently underway or on the horizon.

The VCAF will possess many of the following qualities: • Superior understanding of finance, budget, and administrative operations in institutions of higher education or other organizations of similar size and complexity;

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The ability to think and work strategically in a highly collaborative, creative organization; A record of stellar strategic, transparent, and servant leadership in financial and budget management; A demonstrated record of supporting and driving initiatives to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion; Proven skills in building effective relationships with faculty, Dean’s, Chancellor’s Cabinet, support staff, University System Office, and Board of Regents; The political acumen and ability to strengthen relationships with community and government stakeholders in ways that build trust and promote mutual benefit; A successful record of leading organizational change organically and collaboratively; Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a propensity for finding creative solutions to complex challenges; An understanding of medical and health science management from a finance and budget perspective; Exceptional and transparent communication and listening skills across myriad constituencies; A supreme level of personal and professional integrity and a mission-driven mindset; and, An exceptional work ethic, high energy, and an action orientation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS • •

Progressively significant, high-level financial leadership and management experience in an organization ideally of similar size and complexity.

An advanced degree such as an MBA or other advanced degree in the fields of accounting, business, economics, finance, management or related fields.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS • •

Salary Range - Min: $230,000; Max: $260,000 The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid vacation and time off, and a tuition benefit. Information on university benefits programs, including eligibility, is located at http://www.cu.edu/employee-services. Total compensation goes beyond the value on the paycheck. Please consider reviewing the Total Compensation page at Total Compensation Calculators | University of Colorado.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The Search Committee invites nominations, applications (a letter of interest, comprehensive curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of five or more references) to be submitted to the search firm assisting UCCS. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. The Search Committee prefers that all nominations and applications be submitted to the search firm website prior to August 5, 2022 to: Laurie C. Wilder, President Porsha L. Williams, Vice President Grant Higgison, Principal Parker Executive Search Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875 Atlanta, GA 30328 Phone: (770) 804-1996 X 109, X 118 lwilder@parkersearch.com || pwilliams@parkersearch.com || ghiggison@parkersearch.com

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is committed to providing a safe and productive learning, living and working community.

To assist in achieving this goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective applicants being considered for employment.

Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history check.

UCCS is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, the University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation or political philosophy in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. Alternative formats of this ad can be provided upon request for individuals with disabilities by contacting the Office of Human Resources at (719) 255-3372.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the established essential functions and meet the physical and environment demands described satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, physical and environmental conditions required of the employee on the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, physical and environmental demands.

Applicants with disabilities: If you have a mental or physical impairment, which limits one of your major life activities (e.g. walking, hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, or learning) and require special accommodations for testing or interviewing, it is your responsibility to notify the office scheduling the interview or test at least 3 working days before the interview or test date. If you need special accommodations at the work site, you must notify the appointing authority or Human Resources.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.