Description

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas invites applications for Vice President for Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer

ROLE of the POSITION

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) invites nominations and applications for the position of Vice President for Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer (VPBA & CFO). This is an exceptional opportunity for a forward-thinking and results-oriented financial leader to guide one of the nation’s most dynamic public research universities. Reporting directly to the President, and collaborating closely with the Executive Vice President and Provost and other President’s Cabinet leaders, the VPBA & CFO will provide strategic leadership and fiscal stewardship for UNLV’s financial, physical, and operational resources, overseeing an institutional budget of approximately $1 billion annually.

UNLV stands at a pivotal moment of growth and opportunity. As a Carnegie R1 research institution, UNLV continues to strengthen its academic enterprise, expand research and innovation, and serve as a driver of economic and community development in Nevada and beyond. The next VPBA & CFO will play a central role in advancing these efforts by ensuring that the university’s financial and operational strategies enable continued success and sustainability.

The Role

The VPBA & CFO serves as the university’s senior financial and administrative officer and a key member of the President’s Cabinet. The VPBA & CFO is responsible for developing and implementing financial strategies that support UNLV’s mission, priorities, and long-term success. This leader will guide the effective use of financial, physical, and operational resources while promoting transparency, accountability, and innovation across all business functions.

The VPBA & CFO oversees key functions including financial services, budgeting and planning, facilities management, real estate, planning and construction, compliance, and other support services. The individual in this role will provide strategic counsel to the President and collaborate closely with the Provost, the President’s Cabinet, senior leaders, deans, and campus partners to ensure that financial decisions align with UNLV’s strategic plan and position UNLV for sustainable growth and excellence.

Externally, the VPBA & CFO represents UNLV on the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Business Officers Council and works closely with the NSHE System Office, the Board of Regents, and state and local government agencies on financial and operational matters. The VPBA & CFO also engages with external auditors, consultants, and community partners to advance UNLV’s fiscal and strategic interests.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership in financial planning, budgeting, capital investment, and fiscal policy to advance UNLV’s mission and strategic plan.
• Serve as a senior advisor to the President on institutional financial matters, resource allocation, and strategic investment.
• Oversee financial operations and resource management, ensuring compliance with state, federal, and system regulations.
• Guide facilities, infrastructure, and real estate planning to support growth, modernization, and sustainability.
• Maintain internal controls, fiscal accountability, and transparency in reporting and decision-making.
• Collaborate with NSHE, the Board of Regents, and state and local government agencies on fiscal and operational initiatives.
• Foster a culture of service, efficiency, and innovation within the Business Affairs division.
• Represent UNLV in community and state forums, and serve on boards such as UNLV Health, the UNLV Research Foundation, and UNLV Foundation committees.

Candidate Profile

UNLV seeks a visionary and collaborative leader who brings deep financial expertise, strategic acumen, and a commitment to advancing UNLV’s mission. The successful candidate will possess exceptional leadership and communication skills and a demonstrated ability to manage complex financial and operational portfolios. This individual must be capable of translating financial data into actionable insights, inspiring confidence among stakeholders, and guiding institutional progress through data-informed decision-making.

The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker and principled leader who values transparency and accountability. They will embrace a servant leadership philosophy rooted in collaboration and shared purpose. With a strong focus on excellence and continuous improvement, this individual will cultivate high-performing teams, engage effectively with internal and external partners, and thrive within a shared governance environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, public administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university as recognized by the United States Department of Education and/or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in financial or administrative leadership. Credentials must be obtained prior to the employment start date.

UNLV may consider additional relevant experience in place of formal education requirements:

• In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, applicants may qualify with four additional years of relevant experience, or with an associate's degree plus two additional years of relevant experience.
• For positions requiring a master’s degree, acceptable equivalents include:
• Six additional years of relevant experience
• A bachelor’s degree plus two additional years of relevant experience
• An associate degree plus four additional years of relevant experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in business, finance, accounting, or a related field
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) / Certified Financial Analyst
• Senior-level experience in a higher education institution or a similarly complex public organization
• Experience working within a shared governance environment
• Experience with UNLV or NSHE policies, procedures, and systems

COMMITMENT to DIVERSITY and CAMPUS VALUES

A successful candidate will support diversity, equity, and inclusiveness and contribute to a respectful, positive work environment. They will use our Campus Values to guide their decisions and actions and demonstrate our Rebel spirit.

SALARY

Salary competitive with those at similarly situated institutions.

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT UNLV

• Competitive total rewards package including:
• Paid time off, sick leave, and holidays
• Excellent health insurance including medical, dental and vision
• Comprehensive retirement plans and voluntary benefits programs
• No state income tax
• Tuition discounts at Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) schools
• Tuition discounts for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents

PERKS & PROGRAMS

• Employee recognition and appreciation programs
• UNLV athletics ticket discounts
• Statewide employee purchase program discounts
• RebelCard discounts on and off campus
• Wellness programming for all UNLV faculty and staff at no cost
• Opportunity for career advancements to leadership roles
• Connect with colleagues with shared interests
• Personal and professional development opportunities
• A comprehensive onboarding program, Rebels: Onboard
• Support and resources available for veteran applicants — contactvetjobseekers@unlv.edu or visit our Veterans Webpage.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit a letter of interest, a detailed resume listing qualifications and experience, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted. References will not be contacted until the search chair notifies you in advance.

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience, with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications because this is the information on which the initial review of materials will be based. Materials should be addressed to Dr. David W. Hatchett, Search Committee Chair. Although this position will remain open until filled, review of candidates’ materials will begin on November 21, 2025.

Applications must be submitted electronically through Workday. Please note that emailed materials will not be accepted.

Veterans are encouraged to apply. UNLV values the skills of those who have served. Learn more at Veterans Webpage or contact vetjobseekers@unlv.edu for support.

For assistance with the application process, please review instructions on How to Apply. For further assistance contact UNLV Human Resources at (702) 895-3504 or UNLVJobs@unlv.edu.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INTERNAL NSHE CANDIDATES

UNLV employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) MUST use the “Find Jobs” process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at UNLV and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday, type "Find Jobs" in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site. Locate this specific job posting by typing the job requisition number, R0149531 in the search box.

If you complete an application outside of the internal application process, your application will be returned and you will have to reapply as an internal applicant which may delay your application.

PROFILE of the UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1957, UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution comprised of approximately 34,000 students and more than 3,600 faculty and staff, making it the largest university or college in Nevada. UNLV is located in the heart of the Las Vegas valley and less than a mile from the famous Las Vegas Strip To date, UNLV has conferred more than  176,000 degrees, producing more than 150,000 alumni around the world. UNLV is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as an R1 research university with very high research activity and is a recipient of the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement, designations that only 2 percent of all post-secondary institutions hold simultaneously. The university is committed to recruiting and retaining top students and faculty, educating the region's diversifying population and workforce, driving economic activity through increased research and community partnerships, and creating an academic health center for Southern Nevada. UNLV is located on a 335-acre main campus and two satellite campuses in Southern Nevada.

Here at UNLV, we have come together and created one of the most affirmative and dynamic academic environments in the country. UNLV sits near the top in U.S. News & World Report's annual listing of the nation's most diverse universities for undergraduates. The university has ranked in the top ten since the rankings debuted more than a decade ago. We continue to show our commitment to serving our wonderfully diverse population and building the future for Las Vegas and Nevada.

EEO/AA STATEMENT

The University of Nevada - Las Vegas (UNLV) is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes). Discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including unlawful harassment, which is a form of discrimination, is illegal under federal and state law. Where unlawful discrimination is found to have occurred, UNLV will act to stop the unlawful discrimination, to prevent its recurrence, to remedy its effects, and to discipline those responsible. Women, minorities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

TITLE IX STATEMENT

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates. Non-discrimination on the basis of sex is mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.) and the corresponding implementation regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106). The University’s commitment to nondiscrimination in its education programs and activities extends to applicants for admission and employment. Inquiries concerning the application of these provisions may be referred to: Michelle Sposito, J.D., Title IX Coordinator, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Mail Stop 1062, Las Vegas, NV 89154-1062, Campus Services Building (CSB) Room 246, Telephone: (702) 895-4055; Email: titleixcoordinator@unlv.edu, or to The Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-1100; Telephone: 1-800-421-3481 FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 1-800-877-8339; Email: OCR@ed.gov; or to both. 

Information pertaining to the University’s grievance procedures and grievance process, including how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment, and how the University will respond can be found online at the Office of Equal Employment & Title IX webpage.

SAFETY AND SECURITY STATEMENT

UNLV is committed to assisting all members of the UNLV community in providing for their own safety and security. The Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report compliance document is available online.