Vice President for Financial and Administrative Affairs

Description

THE OPPORTUNITY Southern Illinois University (SIU) System invites applications and nominations for the position of Vice President for Financial and Administrative Affairs (VPFAA) and Board Treasurer. As a key member of the senior leadership team, this role reports directly to the President and serves as the chief financial officer of the SIU system. There is an expectation that this person will be based primarily in Springfield, though with regular travel to the other campuses. The VPFAA interacts regularly with the CFOs on each campus to ensure financial stability for the system and each campus. The role oversees a variety of functions, including:

• Strategic planning and the development of budget guidelines.
• The development and administration of internal financial policies and procedures.
• Long-term financial planning for the University and its campuses.
• Staffing the Audit, Finance, and Architecture and Design Committees of the Board of Trustees.
• Cash, investment management and banking relationships in addition to revenue bond activities.
• Coordination of capital projects and oversight for risk management and self-insurance programs.

Examples of Duties

THE ROLE: Opportunities and Expectations for Leadership

• Partner and collaborate with all campuses in the SIU System to ensure coordination and consistency across multiple campuses.
• Lead an experienced, successful team. This includes trusting the team as professionals and providing support but also being ready to focus on staff recruitment, retention, and development.
• Seek and seize opportunities to unite people, both within the team and across the system, to maintain a collaborative culture in a traditionally decentralized function.
• Leverage technology and other innovative approaches to problem solving.
• This role is responsible for supporting the system-wide strategic plan that is focused on six main areas.
  • Academic innovation and student success: Our innovative and accessible academic programs will provide interdisciplinary and experiential components that empower our students to address regional, national and global challenges. While maintaining the strengths of each campus, we will engage in system-wide collaboration to create new opportunities for students and support lifelong learning.
  • Anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion: We will be a national model of antiracism and anti-oppression that promotes diversity, inclusion and equitable access and opportunity for all individuals.
  • Community impact: We will collaboratively create sustainable solutions, utilizing the collective strengths of the system to improve the quality of life for all that we serve.
  • Research, creative activities and partnerships: We will build collaborative opportunities to expand research, scholarship and creative activities through internal and external partnerships that fulfill our mission.
  • Faculty and staff: We strive to foster an equitable environment where our diverse faculty and staff can be successful and satisfied.
  • Infrastructure: We will build and maintain a sustainable infrastructure through continuous improvement, transparency and accountability.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to manage, influence, and lead in a complex, ambiguous environment.
• Track record of problem solving and building consensus among constituents both internally and externally.
• Successful experience managing capital projects.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to financial transactions; understanding of financial regulations in Illinois is a plus.
• At least five years of experience as the CFO, or an officer who has served as the immediate financial subordinate of the CFO, at a public university or equivalent experience in local, state, or federal government preferred; private university experience is possible.
• Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated ability to make public presentations to the Board of Trustees in a positive and competent manner.
• Commitment to the mission of the University.
• Undergraduate degree from an accredited institution; advanced degree preferred.

Supplemental Information

Nominations and Applications AGB Search is pleased to assist the SIU System with this search. Applications for the SIU System - VPFAA will be received and considered until the position is filled. For full consideration, submit applications by May 26, 2025. Interested applicants should submit:

• Curriculum vitae or resume
• Letter of interest addressing the opportunities, expectations and qualifications identified in the profile
• Five professional references with emails, telephone numbers, and a description of the candidate's professional relationship with each reference listed. References will not be contacted without prior written authorization from the applicant.

SIU Carbondale, member of the SIU System, is an anti-racist community that opposes racism, discrimination and inequity in any form, and embraces diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice for all people.

SIU Carbondale is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans that strives to enhance its ability to develop a diverse faculty and staff and to increase its potential to serve a diverse student population. All applications are welcomed and encouraged and will receive consideration.

University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Service (CMS). These benefits include: Health Insurance plans (HMOs, OAPs, QCHP and CDHP), Dental Insurance, Vision Plan, Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Supplemental Long Term Disability (LTD), Flex Spending Accounts, MCAP and DCAP, and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan.

Eligible employees are required to participate in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS). SURS is the retirement administrator for employees in public higher education in the State of Illinois.

Other benefits available to eligible employees include: Generous paid time-off, 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plans, Employee Assistance Program and a Tuition Waiver Program.