Chief Financial Officer & VP for Finance

If you are a current Barnard College employee, please use the internal career site to apply for this position.

Job:

Chief Financial Officer & VP for Finance

Job Summary:

The Chief Financial Officer serves as the principal financial advisor to the President and senior leadership team, providing strategic guidance, oversight, and management of Barnard’s financial operations. Reporting directly to the President, the Chief Financial Officer plays a critical role in ensuring the financial sustainability, integrity, and transparency of the University while supporting its mission and strategic objectives.

Job Description:

The Chief Financial Officer will oversee the Business Affairs department, which includes the budget and planning, investment, and controller’s offices. The ideal Chief Financial Officer will serve as a strategic partner to the campus community, through proactive planning, transparency, and communication with the goal of balancing fiscal stability with high expectations and aspirations for the future. The Chief Financial Officer will have the opportunity to partner with an inspiring and ambitious President (see more here) and a strong senior leadership team in the imagining, development, and implementation of ambitious and forward-thinking initiatives. They will provide advice and leadership that will enable and facilitate beneficial change and serve as an idea generator who has experience with a variety of budget and forecasting models. A leader and a communicator, the successful Chief Financial Officer will be able to demonstrate the ability to clearly explain the implications of complex financial decisions to various audiences.

The Chief Financial Officer must be entrepreneurial, collaborative, and creative in seeking out solutions to challenges in a way that reflects the commitment to the College’s overall strategic priorities and commitment to academic
excellence. The Chief Financial Officer will also be responsible for assessing and improving the administrative support functions within the finance and accounting division, with an ultimate goal of establishing a division that is
participatory, transparent, and clearly defines the College’s goals and strategic priorities while maintaining financial security and sustainability.

The successful candidate will also foster a culture of excellence, integrity, and collaboration and provide strategic leadership and direction in the following areas:

Financial Strategy Planning:
▪ Responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive financial strategies, policies, and plans aligned
with the College’s mission and strategic objectives.
▪ Provide strategic financial guidance to senior leadership and the Board of Trustees, including long-term
financial forecasting, budget development, and financial modeling.
▪ Collaborate with senior leadership, members of the Board of Trustees, and stakeholders to assess financial
performance, identify opportunities for revenue growth, and mitigate financial risks.
▪ Work closely with the Enrollment Management team to forecast and monitor enrollment, tuition revenue, and
financial aid expenses.

Financial Reporting and Analysis:
▪ Prepare accurate and timely financial reports, statements, and analyses for internal and external stakeholders,
including the Board of Trustees, senior leadership, government agencies, and accrediting bodies.
▪ Provide financial insights and recommendations to inform decision-making and resource allocation across the
College.

Budget Management and Fiscal Operations:
▪ Oversee the annual operating budget. Lead the annual budgeting process, working closely with academic and
administrative units to develop realistic, transparent, and fiscally responsible budgets. Work towards a multiyear
budgeting process to achieve longer term goals.
▪ Ensure effective management of fiscal operations, internal controls, and compliance with accounting principles,
regulatory requirements, and institutional policies.
▪ Oversee the fiscal management of grants and restricted funds to ensure accurate financial reporting to grant
agencies and donors. Partner closely with the Chief Advancement Officer on grant reporting.

Strategic Procurement:
▪ Maintain procurement policies, procedures, and guidelines that align with best practices, regulatory
requirements, and ethical standards.
▪ Ensure compliance with institutional procurement policies, as well as federal, state, and local procurement
regulations.
▪ Provide guidance and training to departmental personnel on procurement policies, procedures, and compliance
requirements to promote accountability and transparency in purchasing practices.

Debt Management and