Vice President, Finance & Univ Planning & Special Asst to the President for Institutional Innovation

Vice President, Finance & Univ Planning & Special Asst to the President for Institutional Innovation

Pocatello - Main
NOT eligible for remote work, on-campus position
Priority Date: August 16, 2026

Institution Information

Idaho State University, established in 1901, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research and teaching institution, with a culture built on trust, compassion, stability, and hope. ISU serves over 12,000 students in Pocatello, Meridian, Twin Falls, and Idaho Falls. Students and faculty at ISU are leading the way in cutting-edge research and innovative solutions. We are proud to offer exceptional academics nestled in the grand, natural beauty of the West. We invite you to be a part of our University community!

Job Description

The Vice President for Finance and University Planning and Special Assistant to the President for Institutional Innovation reports to the University President and is responsible for the Institution’s overall financial policy and fiscal and budgetary matters as well as serves as an advisor to the President on university strategic planning and initiatives. The position has direct management oversight for investments, accounting, budgeting and related financial functions for the University. Oversees the accountability and stewardship of campus resources and the development of systems and procedures to protect organizational assets. The position is recognized as the University’s Bursar in accordance with applicable Idaho State Board of Education policy. As a Special Advisor to the President, this position works with the President on the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the university’s strategic initiatives. This role is central to fostering institutional growth, organizational effectiveness, long‑term sustainability, fiscal resiliency, institutional adaptability, and alignment between university priorities and operational execution.

The position also provides executive oversight and strategic leadership for the ISU Innovation Hub, which supports institutional effectiveness and strategic execution across the university by connecting people, ideas, systems, and resources to improve how work gets done at ISU.

The Innovation Hub facilitates cross-functional collaboration, process improvement, project coordination, strategic technology alignment, workforce development, and change leadership initiatives that advance university priorities and operational effectiveness.

This position is not eligible for new visa sponsorship at this time. Candidates who already hold valid U.S. work authorization may be considered.

Key Responsibilities

University Planning

• Lead the development and outcomes measurements of institutional strategic initiatives.
• Facilitate engagement and collaboration with a wide-range of stakeholders to ensure broad participation in the strategic initiative process.
• Advise the President on institutional planning.
• Develop frameworks and methodologies for assessing institutional priorities and objectives.
• Utilize data analytics to assess the effectiveness of programs, identify opportunities for improvement, and anticipate future needs.
• Provide executive oversight for the Office of Institutional Research and collaborate with other units to collect and analyze data relevant to planning and evaluation.
• Lead the institution in the development and use of greater analytical tools, processes, and applications.

Finance

• Builds, leads, and inspires a highly productive and professional finance team.
• As part of the senior leadership team, assumes responsibility for planning, implementing and managing all financial‑related activities to support and enhance the University’s mission. This includes direct responsibility for overseeing all accounting, finance, budgeting, financial analysis and reporting, financial planning, cost benefit analysis, interfacing with internal and external auditing functions, investment management, procurement analysis and negotiations, business processes/system analysis, and debt financing and management.
• Provides leadership in the development and continuous evaluation of short and long‑term strategic financial objectives and sound fiscal policy, including establishing sound internal controls.
• Provides leadership in the development of models, tools, and analysis to support institutional, divisional, and programmatic decision‑making; serves as the university official responsible for the coordination, interpretation, and analysis of financial information required by the Administrative Council, Office of the President, University and State committees, the Idaho State Board of Education, and for compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Provides specific administrative support to the Idaho State Board of Education and related subcommittees.
• Oversees all investment and financing activity including the management of cash, university reserves, and other resources as part of the University’s financial holdings.
• In coordination with the Office of the General Counsel, oversees and manages the University’s contract management system.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Special Assistant to the President for Institutional Innovation

• Champion the mission of the ISU Innovation Hub, steering initiatives related to institutional effectiveness, systems and process improvement, strategic project coordination, change leadership, workforce training and development, and strategic technology alignment.
• Provide guidance and direction for institutional strategic priorities, initiatives and opportunities.
• Serve as a counselor to the University President in helping develop entrepreneurial, revenue‑generating models and innovative structures to achieve institutional fiscal resiliency.
• Help create a positive, transparent and adaptable institutional culture through effective change management and organizational leadership practices.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years of demonstrated success in managing finance (accounting, budgeting, investments, control, and reporting) for a complex organization.
• Demonstrated experience leading or supporting institutional strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, operational improvement, or large‑scale cross‑functional initiatives in a complex organization.
• Progressively responsible leadership experience in understanding and promoting financial analysis and best business practices, along with proven ability to create and develop multi‑year financial models and forecasts.
• Experience managing constructive working relationships with internal and external constituents, including auditing functions, bankers, community leaders, governing boards, and university officials.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving a wide array of backgrounds, fostering culture of belonging where everyone is valued and respected, and an ability to connect with the academic community at all levels.
• Proven track record as a strong, collaborative leader with the ability to think analytically and creatively in support of the University’s mission.
• A skilled communicator who listens, writes, and speaks with clarity with individuals at all levels of the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced graduate and professional education such as an MS, MBA, and/or CPA
• Prior finance leadership experience at a public higher education institution
• Proven experience in institutional strategic planning, change management, and organizational and entrepreneurial innovation in a higher education environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the developing higher education environment, with particular attention to the enrollment and fiscal challenges and opportunities present for a comprehensive public doctoral research university in a rural setting.

Additional Information

This position will remain open until it is filled; however, priority consideration will be given to applications received on or before August 16, 2026.

Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

• comprehensive health
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• disability plan
• employee assistance program (EAP)
• excellent retirement options and company contribution
• generous paid time off/sick leave accrual

All offers of employment are conditional pending the successful completion of a background investigation, provided by HireRight.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Idaho State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, including Veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact View phone number on click.appcast.io (TTY/TTD: 711), or email View email address on click.appcast.io.

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.