Job Description Summary
Eastern Oregon University (EOU) seeks an energetic and creative Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA). The VPFA provides leadership for finance, budgeting, and accounting, fostering transparency and accountability. In addition, the VPFA supervised division includes IT, student financial aid, human resources, campus planning and facilities, and environmental health and campus safety.

The VPFA will join a leadership team that is committed to student success. Eastern Oregon University is set on a beautiful campus in the high elevation Grande Ronde Valley. EOU offers dozens of on-campus and online academic programs, certificate programs, pre-professional programs, as well as agriculture sciences and nursing programs in partnership programs with other Oregon public universities. EOU serves rural Oregon and beyond with a broad range of programs in the arts, humanities, social sciences, business, education, science, technology, and health science.

Designated by the state as Oregon’s Rural University, EOU has pioneered online instruction and satellite student services centers to bring educational and career opportunities to the entire eastern Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and southeast Washington region.

The Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA) is the senior finance and administrative affairs officer for the University, reports directly to the President, and is a member of the president’s cabinet. The VPFA is responsible for ensuring the fiscal integrity of the University to help achieve its mission, strategic plan, and master plan fulfillment. The VPFA supervises six director-level direct reports and, through them, staff in the areas of business affairs, facilities management, safety and security, human resources, financial aid, and information systems. The VPFA develops and demonstrates commitment to serving a diverse student body and employee population, embracing diversity, equity, inclusion and a sense of belonging. The VPFA builds strong teams with represented service workers and faculty and unrepresented administrative and online educator personnel. The VPFA is an ex officio member of the University Budget and Planning Committee and is the key administrative liaison to the Board of Trustees Finance and Administration Committee.

This position manages all aspects of fiscal affairs of the institution including, but not limited to, cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, purchasing, accounting, an annual operating budget of $59 million, capital construction, auxiliary enterprise management, administration of student financial aid, and grant and contract management. The VPFA holds responsibility for asset management, data security, risk analysis and insurance financing, compliance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines and laws, and manages the facilities and planning, information technology, risk management, human resources, and financial aid units of the University.
Responsibilities
In the areas of budget, accounting, and fiscal management, the VPFA:
Guides and coordinates the development of the institution’s operating budget, including both state appropriations and tuition/fee revenues and the expenditures supported by these and other fund sources;
Supervises budget and expenditure oversight for other sources of funds, such as auxiliary and self-support operations; supervises forecasting, analysis and institutional fiscal research, which are integral to developing and evaluating the annual and biennial budget request and allocation decisions; and
Oversees all accounting, reporting and fiscal control activities which ensure full and regular accountability and auditability of all institutional funds and ensure the maintenance of prudent levels of fund and cash balances for the various fund categories.

In the areas of campus planning and facilities management, the VPFA, working closely with the director of facility management and planning:
Stewards the capital assets and overall functioning and conditions of the physical plant; is responsible for the overall maintenance and appearance of the campus, including buildings and grounds, and the planning and execution of improvements;
Oversees campus master planning, plan updates, and design standards to guide the physical development of the campus to support EOU’s mission and strategic plan;
Guides and coordinates the development of the institution’s capital budget requests over multiple biennia and involving multiple sources of funds; responsible for new capital construction and management of architectural and construction contracts; and
Coordinates the execution of EOU Board-approved campus master plan and individual projects and their prioritization within the capital funding processes of the Governor’s Office, state agencies, the Oregon legislature, and other funding sources.

In overseeing information systems technology, working with the director of information technology, the VPFA:
Assists the director with strategic visioning and planning in sustaining present technology as well as implementing emerging technologies; and
Assures consultation by IT staff with internal and external constituents to understand needs, successfully complete information technology projects, and solve issues including the coordination of technology planning with other Oregon public universities, community colleges and appropriate governmental agencies.

In the areas of public and environmental health and safety, and working closely with director of safety and security, the VPFA:
Directs the planning and implementation of institution-wide safety and security measures to ensure a safe, healthful and secure environment for study, employment and visitation; and
Assures resources are deployed to achieve compliance with a wide range of federal, state, and local statutes.

In overseeing student financial aid and student billing, the VPFA:
Prioritizes financial aid and student billing practices that support student retention and success while ensuring University compliance with federal and state rules and regulations regarding financial aid packaging, disbursement, and reporting.

In supervising human resources, the VPFA:
Ensures compliance with federal and state law and University policies regarding equal employment opportunity, benefits administration, employee classification, and employee evaluation, development, and discipline;
Assists the director of human resources in workforce planning and implementing talent acquisition and retention policies necessary to support the educational and service mission of the University.

As EOU’s contract and administrative procedures officer, the VPFA:
Has delegated authority to review and sign all contracts for the University, and is responsible for seeking appropriate legal review and coordinating with EOU legal counsel on contracts; and • Has delegated authority to monitor, manage, negotiate, and serve as the primary point of contact for contracts such as the bookstore management contract, food services contract, and other contracts as deemed necessary.

In the realms of institutional policy and accountability, the VPFA:
Oversees the development, implementation, revision and integration of institutional finance and administrative policies subject to the approval of the President and the Board of Trustees, and collaborates with appropriate committees and VPs in the development, approval, and periodic review of EOU finance and administrative policies, rules and regulations; and
Is responsible for clear and accurate communication and documentation of finance and administrative policies and changes to them, and continuously seeks ways to enhance accessibility, understanding and appropriate interpretation.

To support the work of the EOU Board of Trustees, the VPFA:
Serves as the primary administrative liaison to the EOU Board of Trustees Finance and Administration Committee, which also functions as the Board’s audit committee, supporting the committee’s work and recommendations to the full Board concerning tuition and fees, the operating budget, capital projects, and University policy.
Minimum Qualifications
A master’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration or related field.
Ten years of progressively more responsible experience in finance-based positions, leading to proficient use of software in database mining, financial modeling, and accounting/management.
Five years of experience and resulting knowledge and understanding of fund accounting, financial reporting standards, and accrual basis accounting. Able to perform complex financial analysis, evaluate budget models and evaluate university-wide financial health.
Five years of management and supervisory experience demonstrating strong interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills, reliable independent judgment in the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, ability to supervise, coach, assign, and evaluate performance of multiple employees, and ability to coordinate and effectively work with a broad range of constituents.

Must satisfactorily complete EOU criminal and credential background check. Having a criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Eastern Oregon University will not sponsor applicants for employment visas.
Preferred Qualifications
An experienced higher education leader, knowledgeable in accounting for and use of unrestricted and restricted funds from multiple sources with multiple restrictions.
A working manager, able to see the big picture and act strategically, but also willing to competently pitch in and work alongside staff.
A leader in managing in the dynamic higher education environment, active in assessing current practices and data-driven in making changes.
Proactive in providing guidance and support to the president and cabinet colleagues as they make financial decisions to further the mission of EOU.
Committed to transparent communication with the president and cabinet colleagues, EOU faculty and staff, the Board of Trustees, and state agencies and leaders, about finance, budget, and administration issues.