Type: Full-Time
Salary: 160,000-180,000
Posted: 01/09/2025 (Reposted Job: Initially posted on 10/11/2024)
Category: Administrative Vice Presidents; +1

 Priority

VICE PRESIDENT ADMINISTRATION & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Reports to: President

Department: Administration and Finance

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Location: Palo Alto & Costa Mesa

University Overview:

Since 1975, Sofia University has aspired to be a leader in transformative higher education offering students an education that transcends beyond a traditional learning environment. Students, staff, and faculty of Sofia are passionate individuals that recognize the need to be a part of something greater than themselves and seek opportunities that will provide them with the tools to empower themselves and their community. As Sofia continues to grow as a University, it remains committed to its transformative transpersonal values, as well as to maintaining a high-quality and diverse workforce representative of the community it services.

Sofia University is Western Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) accredited and offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs in the fields of psychology, business, and computer science. Located in Palo Alto and Costa Mesa, California, the University provides both on campus and domestic and international online programs, giving students the flexibility to further an education rooted in transformative and transpersonal values, in a format that best suits their schedule and needs. Sofia University is an equal opportunity employer.

Position Overview:

The Vice President Administration & Chief Financial Officer (VPA & CFO) provides strategic senior leadership for the administrative and financial operations of the University. The Vice President (VP) serves as a senior member of the University management team, reporting directly to the President. The VP plays a central role in the short-term and long-term development of the University’s infrastructure and facilities.

The VPA & CFO Officer will have primary day-to-day responsibility for planning, implementing, managing, and controlling designated administrative and financial-related activities of the University. 

Responsibilities:

• Reporting directly to the President, the VP provides leadership, direction and assessment for designated administrative and financial services. 
• Manage Finance, Financial Aid, Administration and Facilities Departments.
• Additional administrative tasks related to IT and HR in partnership with the President. 
• Work collaboratively with the Provost, AVP of Global Engagement, the Associate Vice President Strategic Enrollment International & Alumni Affairs and Director of Marketing & Communications by providing strategic financial insight and assessment of enrollment growth of the University within the context of regulatory and accreditation compliance.
• Provide strategic financial insight and long-range planning for proposed growth plans and new programs both domestically and internationally.
• Provide strategic leadership in financial planning and management with partners in China and Canada.
• Develop, track and manage the Finance Departments’ staff, goals and success metrics.
• Lead a review of financial operations, ensure timely and accurate reporting and forecasting, ensuring the right key performance indicators are in place to support decision making.
• Manage the process and provide timely and accurate analysis of yearly budgets, and audits, quarterly internal audits and monthly financial trends.
• Provide forecasting reports for the President, the Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors.
• Responsible for all treasury activities, including cash management, foreign exchange, and debt management.
• Provide senior management with advice on financial implications of business activities.
• Assess and manage all University insurance policy needs on a yearly basis.
• Oversee the management of Sofia’s physical infrastructure (two campuses).
• Negotiate and administer contracts with outside vendors.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly financial reports and other documents as required by regulatory agencies and internal constituencies.
• Commitment to embracing the educational mission, global expansion and student centricity of Sofia University.
• Work closely with the President to maintain communication with the Board of Directors and Board of Trustees.
• Work closely with the President and AVP of Global Engagement to manage cooperation with educational partners in China and other countries.
• Timely and effectively communicate with domestic, Chinese, South Korean and Canadian partners and agents on contracts and financial transactions.
• Other administrative responsibilities as assigned by the President and the Board of Trustees.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree plus five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in business administration & finance in a complex organization or equivalent combination of education and experience preferably in Higher Education. 
• Current CPA license required.
• Strong background and knowledge in Higher Education, accounting and quantitative analysis.
• Previous administrative and CFO experience and knowledge of Financial Aid is highly desirable.
• Excellent working knowledge of higher education rules and regulations, as well as a broad range of fiscal compliance issues.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, ability to provide sound leadership and decision-making.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience leading a team of professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a proactively diverse and inclusive culture and effectively collaborate with all Departments across the organization.
• Superior interpersonal communication skills with the ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a variety of both internal and external constituents.
• Proficiency in using computers and relevant software programs.
• Ability to travel as required.

Sofia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, and disability. Reasonable accommodation will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Human Resources Department at 888-820-1484 ext.10200.

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