Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Job Title:

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Job Summary:

The Vice President and Chief Financial Officer serves as the senior financial officer of the University of San Francisco, reporting directly to the President. In this capacity, the CFO is a trusted strategic advisor, working in close, daily collaboration with the President to guide the University’s financial direction in support of and in alignment with its mission (cura apostolica).

The CFO provides leadership and oversight of all financial functions—including financial planning, budgeting, cash management, accounting, investments, and debt management—and leads sophisticated scenario analysis to anticipate emerging challenges, assess potential opportunities, and shape proactive strategies. This forward-looking approach ensures that financial decisions are informed, resilient, and aligned with the University’s longterm priorities.

As a member of the President’s Cabinet, the CFO collaborates with academic and administrative leaders to align financial strategy, operations, and resource stewardship with the University’s mission and long-term goals. The CFO is also the primary staff liaison to the Audit, Physical Facilities & Master Plan, Finance, and Investment Committees of the Board of Trustees, implementing Board decisions with transparency, integrity, and accountability.

Full Job Description:

New President and Evolving Leadership Team:

Arriving early in President Salvador D. Aceves’s tenure, the CFO will have a meaningful opportunity to partner in advancing the University’s evolving approach to the financial challenges confronting much of higher education. As President Aceves continues to shape his leadership team, the CFO will help advance the University’s mission by encouraging collaboration across the community, strengthening transparent communication, addressing financial realities with care, and helping guide the University toward a resilient and flourishing future. President Aceves’s previous service at USF, combined with his experience in financial leadership, equips him to serve as an engaged and strategic partner to the CFO.

Communication of Key Information:

There is a broad awareness across campus of the financial pressures that must be addressed, and the CFO will be in a distinctive position to provide clear, credible data to faculty, staff, students, trustees, and alumni that helps the entire community understand the challenges and opportunities ahead as USF plans for long-term sustainability. Presenting both detailed and high-level financial information, along with multi-year financial projections, in accessible and transparent ways will be an important part of the CFO’s role—supporting informed dialogue, shared understanding, and alignment around the path forward in both the near term and the years ahead.

Provide Leadership for a Strong Team:

The CFO will provide clear direction and shared vision for a diverse portfolio of departments whose staff are committed to advancing the University’s mission. With a mix of longserving colleagues and newer team members, these units are well positioned to benefit from steady, inclusive leadership that fosters cohesion, encourages collaboration, and communicates priorities with clarity. By cultivating an environment grounded in trust, accountability, and mutual respect, the CFO can help align efforts across the organization and enable the team to accomplish meaningful progress for the University.

Institutional Governance Structures:

The University has a variety of governance structures within the academic and administrative areas, as well as several unions, all of whom will look to the CFO for valuable financial information that is conveyed clearly and in the context of the University’s mission and forward progress.

Leverage USF’s Prime Location in San Francisco:

The CFO will play an important role in strengthening and expanding the University’s partnerships across the city, helping to create new opportunities for students and deepen the University’s engagement with the broader San Francisco community. In collaboration with campus leadership, the CFO will help cultivate relationships with corporations, nonprofit organizations, and municipal partners—locally and beyond—to advance USF’s strategic priorities, support innovative programs, and identify mutually beneficial opportunities that enhance the University’s impact.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Corporate Management

• Lead financial modeli