Vice President of Finance & Chief Financial Officer (Sioux City)

Overview

Briar Cliff University — Vice President of Finance & Chief Financial Officer

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Briar Cliff University in its search for the Vice President of Finance & Chief Financial Officer (VPF/CFO). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; screening and interviews may begin immediately. For best consideration, applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible and no later than August 11, 2026. This position may be filled before the best consideration date.

Briar Cliff University seeks a strategic and entrepreneurial financial leader to serve as VPF/CFO. Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the President’s Cabinet, the VPF/CFO will lead financial operations and contribute to the university’s long‑term sustainability and recovery efforts.

Under the leadership of President Matthew Draud, Briar Cliff has progressed through a multi‑year recovery strategy focused on enrollment growth, revenue enhancement, and financial sustainability, including a structured recovery plan, bridge financing, and diversification of revenue streams. The university aims to achieve an operationally balanced budget projected by FY29.

The CFO/Treasurer role includes liaison to the Board of Trustees and leadership of budgeting, financial planning, accounting, treasury management, audit and compliance, risk management, and financial reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Strategy and Planning
• Develop and implement a comprehensive financial strategy aligned with the university’s mission and long‑term sustainability goals.
• Lead annual operating and capital budget development with leadership teams; monitor budget performance and recommend corrective actions.
• Provide revenue forecasting and multi‑year modeling to support planning and decision‑making.
• Advise the President and Cabinet on financial implications of initiatives, investments, enrollment strategies, and capital commitments.
• Monitor peer benchmarks and higher‑education financial health indicators.

• Financial Reporting, Audit, and Compliance
• Oversee preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and higher‑education standards.
• Manage external audit process and act as primary liaison to auditors.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, including Title IV responsibility standards and IPEDS reporting.
• Develop and maintain financial policies and internal controls; oversee procurement policies for efficiency and compliance.

• Board Relations and Governance
• Serve as Treasurer to the Board of Trustees and prepare financial reports and analyses for the full Board and committees.
• Support Finance and Audit Committee with materials, deliberations, and follow‑through on directives.
• Provide quarterly financial health reporting including variance explanations and forward projections.
• Maintain relationships with external financial partners and support external communications with trustees and donors.

• Cash Management and Treasury
• Manage cash flow, liquidity, banking relationships, and operating reserves.
• Oversee investment of institutional funds per board policies.
• Manage debt, lines of credit, and financing arrangements; advise leadership on strategy and capacity.
• Monitor risk exposure and oversee the insurance program.

• Enterprise Analytics and Financial Intelligence
• Develop and steward enterprise analytics, dashboards, and data integration with the ERP system.
• Build financial models and tools supporting enrollment‑driven revenue planning and institutional performance monitoring.
• Partner with institutional research, enrollment management, and academic affairs to inform cross‑divisional planning.
• Promote data‑informed financial culture and build reporting capacity across leadership.

• Finance Office Operations
• Provide bi‑weekly financial health reports with key indicators and variances.
• Oversee finance office functions including accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and student billing.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of financial transactions per policy and regulation.
• Develop and supervise finance staff; establish performance standards and accountability.
• Oversee ERP system and lead system upgrades and process improvements.

• Risk Management and Business Continuity
• Identify and manage financial risk; develop risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans.
• Lead finance function business continuity planning and support institution‑wide planning.
• Oversee internal audit activities to ensure policy compliance and operational improvement.

• cabinet Leadership and Institutional Collaboration
• Contribute to institutional strategy and cross‑divisional collaboration as an active cabinet member.
• Represent the university to external financial constituents and accreditors as appropriate.
• Advance the university’s Catholic Franciscan mission and values in finance leadership.
• Collaborate with the Chief Operating Officer on facilities capital planning and shared services.

• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting, and multi‑year modeling.
• GAAP, fund accounting, and higher education reporting standards.
• Ability to translate complex financial information for trustees, faculty, and staff.
• ERP proficiency; experience with Ellucian Colleague or Banner preferred.
• Data analytics familiarity; experience with dashboards and reporting infrastructure preferred.
• Advanced Excel and financial modeling; familiarity with Power BI or similar tools preferred.
• Strong leadership and collaboration across divisions; high integrity and discretion.
• Commitment to the mission of a Catholic Franciscan higher‑education institution.

• Minimum Qualifications
• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible financial leadership experience, including at least three years in a senior role.
• Familiarity with fund accounting, Title IV standards, and IPEDS reporting.
• Experience presenting financial information to a board of trustees or equivalent body.
• Experience leading or participating in external audits.

• Preferred Qualifications
• CPA licensure.
• Experience in higher education finance and familiarity with higher education audit standards.

About Briar Cliff University

Briar Cliff University is founded in the Catholic Franciscan tradition and sits in Sioux City, Iowa. The university offers more than 30 undergraduate programs, graduate degrees, and online options, with a mission‑driven approach to education and student development.

Living in the Area

Sioux City, Iowa, is a regional hub with a population of about 86,000. The city offers parks, cultural venues, and a lower cost of living, with a community‑oriented atmosphere and various amenities for professionals and families.

To Apply

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; best consideration date is August 11, 2026. Apply directly at the search firm site (link not included here): applications should include a cover letter and CV. Inquiries: View email address on apply.placed-app.com. Nominations: View email address on apply.placed-app.com. Briar Cliff University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.