Senior Associate Vice President of Administration & Finance

Job Summary

The Senior Associate Vice President (Sr. AVP) of Administration and Finance Services is a senior executive leader and key advisor to the Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance. Reporting directly to the Senior VP, the Sr. AVP provides enterprise-level financial, operational, and governance leadership across major administrative portfolios.

The Sr. AVP supports the division of Administration and Finance’s mission by delivering efficient, effective, and high-quality services across financial management, business operations, facilities, audit, compliance, and resource planning. This position assists in ensuring fiscal stewardship, institutional accountability, and operational alignment while advancing a culture of continuous improvement, transparency, and collaboration.

The Sr. AVP has direct supervisory responsibility for the following senior leaders and their full areas of responsibility:

• Associate Vice President of Financial Services, including all units and functions under Financial Services
• Assistant Vice President of Strategic Business Services, including all units and functions under Strategic Business Services
• Assistant Vice President of Audit and Consulting Services, including all audit, compliance, and consulting functions

The Sr. AVP ensures that financial management, business operations, and audit activities are aligned with institutional priorities, CSU policy, and regulatory requirements. The position operates with significant delegated authority and executive discretion and serves as a central integrator of financial strategy, operational execution, and accountability.

Department Summary

The Office of the Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance supports the university’s mission by fostering a culture of service, transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in every aspect of campus operations. The  Senior Vice President (SVP) is the chief administrative and financial officer of the university, overseeing the stewardship of campus resources, fiscal accountability, operational effectiveness, and the infrastructure necessary to support Cal Poly’s academic and student success mission. The SVP of Administration and Finance reports directly to the University President and serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet, working collaboratively with other university divisions to advance strategic initiatives, ensure financial sustainability, and maintain a safe, inclusive, and well-functioning campus environment. The Administration and Finance Division plays a vital role in supporting the university’s operational backbone, encompassing areas such as finance, budgeting, facilities, public safety, environmental health and safety, procurement, University Housing, Information Technology Services, Performing Arts Center, Cal Poly Partners, and divisional operations.

Key Qualifications

• Working knowledge of the CSU and State budgeting and reporting standards and structures. as they relate to the Cal Poly.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and management through coaching, enabling and facilitating employees working in a team environment.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate complex financial information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in Business or Finance.
• Ten years of progressively responsible experience, with a minimum of two (2) years of which have been at a managerial level, including a working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles.
• Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Salary and Benefits

The anticipated hiring range for this role is $280,000 - $315,000. Note that the offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of experience of the individual sel