Position Overview

Home to the arts, social science, humanities, and communications disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1300 faculty and staff implementing our mission. The College of Liberal Arts is located across 31 buildings of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, primarily on the east and west banks of the Minneapolis campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, about 1,500 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of approximately $290 million. 

The Chief Financial Officer works closely with the dean, associate deans, and collegiate directors to develop financial strategies for realizing the college's academic priorities and advancing the goals of the CLA Roadmap. Those goals include a relentless pursuit of research and creative excellence; ensuring that our undergraduate and graduate students are career-ready; infusing diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the work and operations of the college; and deepening a culture and practice of engagement with constituencies and partners off-campus. The CFO also monitors CLA’s alignment with and promotion of the goals of MPact 2025, the systemwide strategic plan, particularly goals related to fiscal management. 

The CFO leads the development, implementation, and assessment of the college's short- and long-term financial strategies; leads, oversees, and coordinates collegiate fiscal administration, budget planning, payroll, institutional research, curricular financial planning and management; and serves as a resource to the dean, associate deans, department chairs, and unit administrators. The CFO reports directly to the dean and serves as a member of the dean's cabinet. As a member of the dean's cabinet, the CFO leads the financial operations of the college and also works collaboratively with the associate deans and collegiate directors to provide insight and innovation in curriculum management, human resources, development, external relations, and outreach. This leadership is provided in collaboration with an extraordinary team of creative staff who have helped develop and maintain extremely effective data management and financial systems. The CFO is the Resource Responsibility Center Manager for the college and represents the college to central administration and other University units on budgetary and fiscal matters. As an administrative officer of the University's largest college, the CFO often plays a broad leadership role on University-wide committees. The CFO also represents the college in the Liberal Arts and Sciences Chief Administrative and Financial Officers group in the Big Ten Academic Alliance. 

The College of Liberal Arts is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints—so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA

Working in CLA

The Benefits of Working at the U

The University of Minnesota supports Work. With Flexibility. Starting salary range: $150,000-$185,000/annual.

Job Responsibilities

Strategy

• Lead the development, implementation, and assessment of the college's short- and long-term financial strategies; analyze, interpret, and communicate information pertaining to the financial performance of the college; make recommendations concerning the strategic allocation of resources, business processes, and policies; develop strategies to improve financial performance and efficiency; identify trends and changes in resources and expenditures that may require action.
• Research revenue opportunities and economic trends, conduct financial modeling and assessments, and provide creative and proactive financial guidance and advice to senior leadership.
• Work closely with the leadership of CLA Human Resources to align fiscal and HR strategies and to ensure aligned use of resources.
• Identify and develop solutions for complex and systemic problems. 

Financial Administration 

• Work with the Dean and other collegiate leaders on the collegiate budget and planning process, including preparation of the annual budget, the allocation of resources to CLA units, and the development of CLA strategy and options in the annual campus Compact process. Align resource allocation with the financial strategy, college and University values and priorities, and operating objectives and processes. 
• Direct the management of financial operations of the college. Support decision-making by providing the data and analyses needed to ensure the effective use of collegiate resources (money; space, facilities, and equipment; faculty and staff time).
• Supervise collegiate staff responsible for the various areas within the fiscal administration unit.  Work closely with the Assistant Directors in Fiscal Administration to oversee both the budget reporting and analysis work of the unit as well as the financial services work, including management of the CLA Financial Service Teams.
• Develop and implement sound financial management policies and procedures that support day-to-day operations. Maintain effective accounting practices and procedures and the necessary personnel and systems to provide appropriate accountability and timely reporting of financial data, including data, information, and service needed in pre-grant and post-grant processes. 
• Assist collegiate units as needed in their financial planning and management. Develop unit-level relationships. 
• Deliver proactive education, development, consultation, and service to department chairs and directors concerning best practices regarding budget management and planning, use of endowment funds, productive use of departmental balances, and related topics.
• Lead annual evaluation and continuous improvement of CLA financial operations and performance.

CLA Insight and Innovation

• Model college values and engage in transparent, collaborative stewardship and communication across the college. 
• Foster a workplace environment where unit leadership and employees are motivated to advance the goals of the unit, respond creatively to change, and maintain sound business practices.
• Play a broad leadership role on University-wide committees and task forces. Maintain open and frequent contact with many central administrative offices including but not limited to the Office of Budget & Finance, Controller's Office, etc.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Operations and others to implement and oversee a comprehensive model for the creation, reporting, and use of administrative data for planning, decision making, and daily operations in the college. 
• Oversee the college’s space and facilities to enable CLA’s mission delivery. Assess current space and facilities and develop plans to address anticipated needs. 
• Create business and financial skills development and growth opportunities across academic and administrative unit leaders. 

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online at: http://jobsearch.cla.umn.edu/348479.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must submit the following materials:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

Priority review of applications will begin the week of July 5, 2022. The position will remain open until filled.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu.

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to comply with the University’s Administrative Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Protocol by either providing proof of being fully vaccinated on their first day of employment, or complete a request for an exemption for medical exemption or religious reasons. To learn more please visit:  https://safe-campus.umn.edu/return-campus/get-the-vax

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus 12 years of progressively responsible fiscal and management experience, including leading an organization in the development and implementation of its financial strategies and overseeing an organization's fiscal administration and budget
• Five years of supervisory experience
• Demonstrated ability to formulate and implement financial strategies to meet institutional priorities
• Excellent computer skills including experience working within electronic financial systems
• Demonstrated experience as an innovator in financial strategies, management, and planning. 
• Experience working with diverse populations and in a large or complex organization
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent collaboration, supervision, management and conflict resolution skills
• Demonstrated ability to use sound judgment and initiative
• Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to the principles and practice of diversity, equity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree
• Strong financial background and experience at the University of Minnesota, or related work in education, corporate sector, healthcare, or non-profit organization.
• Understanding and supporting the value of liberal arts research, education, and engagement
• Project management experience
• Experience navigating the financial landscape in higher education
• Experience with curricular financial planning and management
• Proficiency in working with diverse revenue sources including gifts and grants, endowments, federally-sponsored funding, private foundations, corporations, and individual donors
• Demonstrated experience leading a unit to meet goals while continuing to promote and maintain a motivating work environment
• BA/BS degree required but not necessarily in finance, business, accounting, or a related discipline plus minimum of 12 years experience in finance, budgeting, planning, grants management, accounting, or a closely related field