Associate Vice President for Financial Operations and Controller

Posting Details

Position Information


Posting Number
S06758P


Position Title
Associate Vice President for Financial Operations and Controller


Department
CFO & Vice President Operations


Location
Arlington


Position Status
Full-time


Work Schedule


Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 5:00pm

• Hybrid work structure.
• Position may require extended hours during peak financial cycles.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Salary
Salary is commensurate based on qualifications and relevant experience.


Pay Basis
Monthly


Job Summary


The Associate Vice President for Financial Operations & Controller provides executive leadership for the university's core financial, transactional, and compliance functions, with a strong mandate to modernize operations, lead enterprise change, and leverage technology to improve efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery.

Reporting directly to the Vice President/CFO, this role oversees student financial services, accounting, financial reporting, payroll, grant accounting, and supply chain management. The AVP serves as the university's chief steward of financial integrity while acting as a change leader responsible for transforming financial operations into a streamlined, data-enabled, customer-centric organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Executive Leadership & Change Management

• Serve as a senior leader on the CFO's executive team, driving large-scale operational change across financial services.
• Lead organizational transformation initiatives focused on process simplification, standardization, and service excellence.
• Actively manage change impacts across teams, ensuring clear communication, staff engagement, and leadership alignment.
• Build a culture that values continuous improvement, accountability, innovation, and professional development.

Operational Excellence & Efficiency

• Oversee end-to-end financial operations to ensure efficient, accurate, timely, and compliant execution.
• Identify and eliminate redundant, manual, or high-risk processes; redesign workflows to improve cycle time and quality.
• Establish and monitor performance metrics and service-level expectations for financial operations.
• Partner with academic and administrative units to improve customer experience while maintaining strong controls.

Technology, Automation & Innovation

• Lead the adoption of financial systems optimization, automation, and digital workflows, including:
  • Transactional automation
  • Workflow and approval redesign
  • Self-service tools
  • Data quality and system integration improvements
• Collaborate closely with IT leadership (CIO, CAO, CISO) to align financial operations with enterprise technology strategy.
• Champion innovative uses of technology to reduce risk, improve transparency, and increase scalability.

Financial Integrity, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with GAAP, GASB, UT System policies, and state and federal regulations.
• Oversee preparation and accuracy of the university's annual financial report and other required regulatory filings.
• Serve as executive liaison to external auditors and regulatory bodies.
• Maintain a strong internal control environment and proactively manage financial risk.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and evaluate executive directors, directors, and managers across financial operations portfolio.
• Develop succession plans, modern skill sets, and leadership capacity within the financial operations organization.
• Promote cross-training, collaboration, and shared accountability across functional departments.
• Create an engaging culture in a remote working environment.

Policy, Governance & Institutional Collaboration

• Lead development and modernization of financial policies and procedures.
• Advise the CFO and senior leadership on operational risks, compliance issues, and strategic improvements.
• Represent UTA in UT System, state, and national financial and business-operations forums as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience in financial operations, accounting, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex organizations, large teams, and enterprise-level change initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• CPA or equivalent professional certification.
• Experience in a large, complex public university or research institution.
• Demonstrated success implementing financial system improvements, automation, or shared services models.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proven ability to lead change, transformation, and operational modernization.
• Deep understanding of public-sector or higher-education financial operations and controls.
• Strong executive communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into operational execution.
• High ethical standards and sound judgment.

Other Requirements

Workplace and Eligibility Conditions

Benefits Eligible
Yes


Benefits at UTA


We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees at the University.

To help you understand the full value of these benefits, we have created a tool that calculates the total worth of your compensation package. This tool takes into account all of the benefits that you are eligible for, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. To access this tool and learn more about the total value of your benefits, please click on the following link:

CBC Requirement


It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington to conduct a criminal background check on any applicant who is under final consideration for employment with the University.

This position may have access to critical infrastructure as defined by Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code. If so, to be hired for and continue to be employed in this position you must maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure as set forth in Texas Executive Order GA-48. By assuming this position, and if you have access to critical infrastructure , you authorize the University to conduct routine background checks.

EEO Statement


It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA or The University) to provide an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, and/or veteran status. The University also prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who oppose a discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for, assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating to discrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally-protected expression will not be considered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is the responsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure the University's compliance with this policy.

University Information


The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex, a vibrant and diverse metropolitan area that is home to over 7 million people, one of the fastest-growing tech economies in the United States, and a wide array of arts, entertainment, and cultural activities. As a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution, UTA is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work. With an enrollment of more than 42,000 students, UTA is the second largest in the University of Texas System. As a result of its combination of rigorous academics and innovative research, UTA is designated as a Carnegie R-1 "Very High Research Activity" institution and nationally recognized for its commitment to student success and service. It ranks No. 5 in Military Times' "Best for Vets: Colleges" and is the top university in North Texas for its graduates' salaries (The Wall Street Journal). UTA is designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution and is No. 6 for undergraduate ethnic diversity in the United States (U.S. News & World Report, 2023). With a global alumni network of approximately 280,000 - including leaders at many of the 24 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas - UTA contributes an estimated $29 billion annually to the Texas economy.

UTA is expanding its regional footprint by building a regional campus, called UTA West, in Parker County on the far west side of Fort Worth. It is scheduled to open in fall 2028. This initiative aligns with the university's strategic growth and commitment to serving the broader community. Furthermore, UTA has launched the RISE 100 initiative, aiming to recruit 100 new tenure-system faculty to strengthen its research enterprise and leadership in key academic areas. Learn more at .

This is an exciting time to join UTA and contribute to its bold vision for the future.

ADA Accommodations


The University of Texas at Arlington is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io .

Posting Detail Information


Number of Vacancies
1


Open Until Filled

Minimum Number of References Required
3


Maximum Number of References Accepted
3


Special Instructions to Applicants


Applicants must include in their online resume the following information: 1) Employment history: name of company, period employed (from month/year to month/year), job title, summary of job duties and 2) Education: school name, degree type, and major.