Vice President of Finance/Chief Financial Officer

Position Summary

Antioch University (AU) seeks an experienced financial leader and higher education administrator to serve as its next Vice President for Finance/Chief Financial Officer (VPF/CFO). The successful candidate will be committed to strong fiscal oversight, institutional financial health, enterprise‑wide planning and long‑term sustainability.

Under the direction of the Antioch University President, the Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer (VPF/CFO) is the senior executive responsible for the institution's financial health, enterprise planning, and long‑term sustainability. The VPF/CFO is expected to align financial planning with Antiochs mission and strategic goals, leverage data for wise decision‑making, and foster collaboration across the institution. The VPF/CFO reports directly to the President, working closely with the Presidents Cabinet and the Board of Governors. The VPF/CFO leads a geographically dispersed multistate team that oversees financial operations, facilities, risk management, institutional technology, and business planning for a multi‑campus University system.

At a more specific level, the VPF/CFO provides direct oversight of key operations including but not limited to the following: business operations such as interim period and year‑end closes, financial statement and compliance audits, 990 return, banking, treasury, and endowment management; real estate management (leased and owned facilities), business planning, and bond issue development and management. The VPF/CFO chairs the University Budget Advisory Committee, the Tuition Rate Planning Council, and other committees and working groups. Presently, the VPF/CFO also serves as Treasurer for both the Coalition for the Common Good (CCG) and its emerging operational subsidiary called CCG Services, Inc. As part of the CCG Treasurer role, the incumbent leads and participates in a number of CCG projects and initiatives.

The Universitys mission, to educate students for meaningful lives and to further social, racial, economic and environmental justice, informs our institutions work, strategic planning, and future directions, continuing the historic legacy of winning victories for humanity, as embodied in the words of Antiochs founding president, Horace Mann.

The successful candidate must understand the current higher education landscape, be able to navigate the challenges and opportunities, balance shared governance with fiscal decision‑making authority, and be comfortable navigating institutional change.

Given that Antioch is a multicampus, multistate University delivering programs onsite, online and in hybrid formats, the VPF/CFO leads a geographically dispersed team that oversees the full range of financial operations, facilities, risk management, business planning and audit compliance. Central administrative offices are at the Universitys Midwest campus in Ohio, but the VPF/CFO is not required to work from that location.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Fiscal Management & Planning

• Lead and align the development of the Universitys annual operating budget and multi‑year financial plans with institutional and Coalition strategy.
• Develop and oversee integrated financial modeling, including program proformas, scenario analyses, and consolidated budget projections, to inform decision‑making, resource allocation, and long‑range sustainability across the AU system.
• Advise the AU President, Cabinet, and School Deans on financial and programmatic strategy, including business planning, investment prioritization, and financial performance.
• Identify and advance investment and growth opportunities, including the development of business plans with supporting financial projections.
• Ensure transparency and clarity in financial planning and communication, including proactively elevating material budget risks and financial trends to senior leadership and governing bodies.
• Provide leadership to finance‑ and budget‑related shared governance bodies, including chairing the University Budget Advisory Committee (UBAC) and participating in tuition and financial planning councils.

Financial Policy, Compliance & Operations

• Recommend, develop, and implement business and financial policies in collaboration with the President and senior leadership.
• Establish and maintain a strong system of internal controls, financial records, and audit trails to ensure fiscal integrity and accountability.
• Oversee all financial operations including spending, receivables, reconciliation, and reporting to ensure alignment with University accounting practices, approved budgets, and funding requirements, and to address noncompliance issues as needed.
• Lead preparation of financial reports including the accurate and timely completion of external audits and compliance with various state and federal reporting expectations.
• Structure and manage University‑wide banking relationships, commercial insurance programs, and related financial services to support institutional needs.
• Set vision for finance systems and data governance, and champion the use of analytics, dashboards, and reporting tools to support timely and informed decision‑making.
• Explore and advance creative and entrepreneurial approaches to diversifying and strengthening institutional revenue.

Procurement, Facilities & Capital Strategy

• Oversee strategic procurement, contract negotiation, and vendor relationships for central administration.
• Lead University‑wide facilities and real estate strategy, including planning, lease portfolio management, space utilization, and long‑term alignment with academic and financial priorities in a predominantly leased real estate model.
• Guide facility planning, renovation, maintenance, and capital improvements, ensuring cost‑effectiveness and operational alignment across locations.
• Develop and execute financial strategies that prioritize flexibility, including lease structuring, renegotiation, and alternative capital approaches.
• Manage the acquisition and use of approved bond funds and support capital‑related financial planning and analysis.
• Provide guidance to Facilities Managers in optimizing lease terms, evaluating space needs, and managing landlord relationships.

Student Financial Services

• Provide executive oversight of Student Accounts/Bursar functions from a policy, systems, and performance standpoint.
• Establish service, compliance, and accountability standards to ensure accurate billing, collections, and financial aid disbursement, supported by effective systems and internal controls.

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness

• Serve as a senior enterprise leader and trusted advisor to the President and Cabinet, shaping a culture of disciplined decision‑making, ethical stewardship, and shared accountability across the University.
• Model expectations for transparency, clarity, and consistency in how financial and operational decisions are communicated and executed, ensuring that leaders at all levels understand both the what and the why behind institutional priorities.
• Foster a culture in which data is not only available, but actively used to inform judgment, challenge assumptions, and strengthen institutional effectiveness, balancing analytical rigor with mission‑centered decision‑making.
• Build organizational capacity by recruiting, developing, and retaining a high‑performing, service‑oriented Finance team, while promoting collaboration and trust across administrative and academic units in a geographically distributed environment.
• Reinforce the Universitys commitment to equity and inclusion by ensuring that finance policies, practices, and resource decisions are aligned with institutional values.
• Strengthen cross‑functional alignment by partnering with Human Resources and other leaders to support professional development, performance management, and organizational resilience.
• Promote an enterprise mindset that aligns financial sustainability with academic quality, student success, and long‑term institutional vitality.

Coalition for the Common Good (CCG) Financial Leadership

It is possible that the AU VPF/CFO could be elected to serve as CFO and Treasurer for the CCG and CCG Services, Inc., its Shared Services operation. The following responsibilities are associated with this elected post:

• Financial oversight, reporting, and strategic support for the CCG and its Shared Services operation, CCG Services, Inc.
• Project management for strategic affiliation initiatives, including expansion due diligence and shared services development.
• Financial and programmatic briefing materials that support the finance, audit, risk, and shared services committees associated with CCG governance.

Experience and Qualifications

Required

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration or relevant field.
• At least ten years of progressive experience in finance leadership positions including five years at the senior manager level.
• Executive administrative leadership experience in education, preferably at a private not‑for‑profit college or university.
• Experience with entrepreneurial approaches to fund development.
• Experience in working with and presenting to oversight Boards and within collaborative governance structures.
• Proven ability to implement sound business practices and administrative service delivery.
• Experience with complex information systems, and the ability to analyze a wide variety of technical, business, and fiscal issues.

Preferred

• MBA or Masters degree in Finance, Accounting, Non‑profit leadership or related field.
• Experience leading a financial operation that is part of a complex system, multi‑state structure, or multiple‑sited institution.
• Demonstrated ability to effect innovative solutions to management and operational issues.
• Experience with the laws and policies affecting private institutions, business and administrative practices in the education sector.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Financial Expertise & Stewardship

• Demonstrated expertise in financial planning and analysis, including multi‑year forecasting, scenario modeling, and sensitivity analysis.
• Proven ability to help develop, manage, and align multi‑unit budgets with institutional priorities.
• Deep knowledge of accounting principles including financial reporting, consolidation, and interpretation.
• Experience overseeing internal and external audits and ensuring regulatory, compliance, and fiduciary integrity.
• Strong capability in cash flow management, liquidity planning, and capital allocation, including long‑term financial commitments.
• Ability to assess financial performance through cost structure, margin, and resource utilization analysis.

Strategic Insight & Governance

• Demonstrated ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for executive leadership and governing boards.
• Experience advising senior leadership and boards on financial strategy, risk exposure, and long‑term sustainability.

Operational & Systems Leadership

• Demonstrated leadership of financial operations across multi‑unit or distributed organizations, including shared services environments.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and financial technologies, with the ability to implement or optimize financial systems and reporting tools.

Communication, Leadership & Collaboration

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment, demonstrating strong organizational skills, sound judgment, and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across geographically dispersed teams.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively, build productive relationships, and contribute to a respectful, team‑oriented culture.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace tools.

Supervision Received

General direction from the AU President.

Supervision Exercised

Staff employed in areas under the supervision of the VPF/CFO include Accounting Operations, Budget/Planning & Analysis, Student Financial Services, Real Estate Management, Affiliation Project Management & Analysis, and Administrative Support.

Hours of Employment

This is a full‑time position serving a multi‑campus, multi‑regional, multistate university in multiple time zones. A work schedule will be established in consultation with the President.

Physical Requirements

The essential functions represent the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform with or without a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits Summary

Voluntary Health, dental and vision plan and flexible spending account options; employer retirement plan contribution of 6%; voluntary salary deduction to a pre‑tax or post‑tax retirement account; employer paid life insurance and short term disability; voluntary supplemental life insurance, long‑term disability, accidental death/dismemberment, critical illness, and accident coverage plans; vacation accrues monthly (3 weeks from 0 5 years; 4 weeks after 6 years; carry‑over allowed up to 3.75 days 0 5 years; up to 5 days, after 6 years and up); 12 days per year sick leave (carry‑over up to 65 days); 15 paid holidays; tuition remission for employees and dependents at Antioch University campuses; and employee paid options with AFLAC, LegalShield, and Liberty Mutual. (This list is meant to be an informal summary of benefits. Plan benefits and eligibility requirements are governed by the plan documents and University policies which will be made available upon request).

Coalition for the Common Good (CCG) EEO Statement

The Coalition for the Common Good, DBA Antioch University, provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic or class protected by federal, state or local laws in matters affecting employment or in providing access to programs. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. The CCG complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Equal Pay Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Inquiries should be addressed to the Office of Human Resources or the Office of the General Counsel.

Note: The successful candidate for this position will be subject to a pre‑employment background check.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.