Description
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 Vice President of Finance & Chief Financial Officer.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and 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 Vice President of Finance & Chief Financial Officer (VPF/CFO). Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the President’s Cabinet, the VPF/CFO will play a central role in advancing the University’s continued recovery and long-term sustainability. This is a compelling opportunity for a collaborative, mission-driven executive to help shape the future of a university with a clear strategic direction, measurable progress, and a community committed to building upon its recent momentum.
Under the leadership of President Matthew Draud, Briar Cliff has made significant progress through a comprehensive multi-year recovery strategy focused on enrollment growth, revenue enhancement, and long-term financial sustainability. Facing a projected $5.5 million structural budget deficit, the University developed a five-year recovery plan, secured $8 million in bridge financing, increased net tuition revenue, diversified revenue streams, and is now outperforming key recovery benchmarks. Briar Cliff is projecting a 60% increase in new student enrollment, has launched new academic offerings including Engineering, created an online dual-credit platform generating new revenue, and remains ahead of schedule in achieving its recovery goals, with a fully operationally balanced budget projected by FY29.
This momentum is further reflected in strong philanthropic support. The University recently surpassed its $10 million Foundations for the Future comprehensive campaign goal, reflecting growing confidence among alumni, donors, and community partners in Briar Cliff's vision and leadership. Together, these accomplishments have positioned Briar Cliff for its next phase of growth and institutional strength.
Serving as the University's Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer to the Board of Trustees, the VPF/CFO will provide strategic financial leadership to the President, Cabinet, and Board while overseeing all financial operations of the University. The VPF/CFO will serve as the primary liaison to the Board's Finance and Audit Committee and lead institutional budgeting, financial planning, accounting, treasury management, audit and compliance, risk management, and financial reporting.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Strategy and Planning
- Develops and implements a comprehensive financial strategy aligned with the University's mission, enrollment trajectory, and long-term sustainability goals.
- Leads annual operating and capital budget development in collaboration with the President, Cabinet, and division heads; monitors budget performance and recommends corrective action as needed.
- Provides revenue forecasting and multi-year financial modeling to support institutional planning, scenario analysis, and strategic decision-making.
- Advises the President and Cabinet on the financial implications of institutional initiatives, program investments, enrollment strategies, and capital commitments.
- Monitors peer institution financial benchmarks and higher education financial health indicators to inform institutional positioning and long-term planning.
Financial Reporting, Audit, and Compliance
- Oversees preparation of accurate and timely financial statements in accordance with GAAP and applicable higher education accounting standards, including fund accounting.
- Manages the annual external audit process; serves as the primary institutional contact for external auditors and ensures timely completion and distribution of audited financial statements.
- Ensures compliance with all applicable federal and state financial regulations, including Title IV financial responsibility standards, IPEDS financial reporting requirements, and other regulatory obligations.
- Develops, implements, and maintains financial policies and internal controls that safeguard institutional assets and ensure the integrity of financial data.
- Oversees procurement policies and procedures to ensure efficient, economical, and compliant delivery and payment of goods and services.
Board Relations and Governance
- Serves as Treasurer to the Board of Trustees; prepares and presents financial reports, budget summaries, and financial health analyses to the full Board and its committees.
- Serves as an administrative liaison to the Finance and Audit Committee chairs; prepares meeting materials, supports committee deliberations, and ensures timely follow-through on committee directives.
- Provides the Finance and Audit Committee with comprehensive quarterly reporting on institutional financial health, including detailed budget-to-actual analysis, cash flow position, revenue and expense variance explanations, and forward-looking projections.
- Maintains and strengthens relationships with external financial partners including banking institutions, investment advisors, bond counsel, and insurance providers.
- Supports the President in financial communications to trustees, donors, accreditors, and other external stakeholders.
Cash Management and Treasury
- Manages the University's cash flow, liquidity position, and banking relationships to ensure adequate operating reserves and financial flexibility.
- Oversees investment of institutional funds in accordance with Board-approved investment policies.
- Manages debt obligations, lines of credit, and financing arrangements; advises the President and Board on debt strategy and capacity.
- Monitors and manages institutional risk exposure; oversees the University's comprehensive insurance program.
Enterprise Analytics and Financial Intelligence
- Leads the development and stewardship of the University's enterprise financial analytics infrastructure, including dashboards, reporting tools, and data integration with the University's ERP system.
- Builds and maintains financial models and analytical tools that support enrollment-driven revenue planning, net tuition revenue optimization, and institutional performance monitoring.
- Partners with institutional research, enrollment management, and academic affairs to ensure financial data informs cross-divisional planning and decision-making.
- Promotes a data-informed financial culture across the institution; builds financial literacy and reporting capacity within the Cabinet and across division heads.
Finance Office Operations
- Provides the President with bi-weekly financial health reports covering key institutional indicators including cash on hand, budget-to-actual performance, accounts receivable aging, accounts payable aging, and any material variances or emerging financial concerns.
- Provides direct oversight of the finance office, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and student billing functions.
- Ensures accurate and timely processing of all financial transactions in accordance with institutional policies and applicable regulations.
- Develops and supervises finance office staff through coaching, mentoring, and professional development; establishes clear performance standards and accountability structures.
- Oversees the University's ERP financial system; leads or participates in system upgrades, implementations, and process improvement initiatives.
Risk Management and Business Continuity
- Identifies, assesses, and manages institutional financial risk; develops and maintains risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans.
- Leads business continuity planning for the finance function and supports institution-wide continuity planning efforts.
- Conducts or oversees internal audit activities to ensure compliance with financial policies and identify opportunities for operational improvement.
Cabinet Leadership and Institutional Collaboration
- Serves as an active and constructive member of the President's Cabinet; contributes to institutional strategy, policy development, and cross-divisional collaboration.
- Represents the University to external financial constituents, accreditors, and peer institutions as appropriate.
- Advances the University's Catholic Franciscan mission and values in the leadership and management of the finance function.
- Works collaboratively with the Chief Operating Officer on matters involving facilities capital planning, operational budgets, and shared administrative services.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Deep command of financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting, and multi-year financial modeling.
- Strong working knowledge of GAAP, fund accounting principles, and higher education financial reporting standards.
- Exceptional ability to translate complex financial information into clear, accessible language for non-financial audiences including trustees, faculty, and staff.
- Proficiency with ERP financial systems; experience with Ellucian Colleague or Banner preferred.
- Comfort with data analytics tools and financial intelligence platforms; experience building or managing institutional dashboards and reporting infrastructure preferred.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial modeling; familiarity with Power BI or comparable tools preferred.
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills; demonstrated ability to build trust, develop staff, and work collaboratively across organizational boundaries.
- High degree of integrity, discretion, and professional judgment; demonstrated ability to handle sensitive financial and institutional information with appropriate confidentiality.
- Commitment to the mission and values of a Catholic Franciscan institution of higher education.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field
- Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible financial leadership experience, with at least three (3) years in a senior financial role
- Demonstrated familiarity with fund accounting, Title IV financial responsibility standards, and IPEDS reporting
- Demonstrated experience preparing and presenting financial information to a board of trustees or comparable governing body
- Experience leading or participating in external audit processes
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- CPA licensure
- Experience in higher education finance and familiarity with higher education audit standards
Briar Cliff University, founded in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, is a welcoming academic community overlooking the Missouri River in Sioux City, Iowa. What began on a hill once covered in briar patches has grown into a vibrant campus that now serves nearly 1,000 students. Rooted in the Franciscan values of service, compassion, and inclusivity, Briar Cliff fosters both academic excellence and personal growth, offering a transformative experience for students and professionals alike. The cliffside location not only provides stunning views but also symbolizes the University's mission of guiding students to new heights—intellectually, spiritually, and personally.
The University offers more than 30 undergraduate degree programs, a range of graduate degrees, and several online completion pathways to meet students where they are in their educational journey. From health sciences and business to education, social work, and the liberal arts, Briar Cliff delivers a mission-driven education that shapes not just résumés but character. Faculty and staff work closely with students to cultivate curiosity, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to service and learning.
Briar Cliff’s scenic, close-knit campus provides the ideal environment for meaningful work and connection. Employees enjoy a collaborative culture that prioritizes student success, academic freedom, and community impact. With small class sizes and a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1, every member of the Briar Cliff team plays a vital role in shaping the next generation of changemakers.
Sioux City, Iowa is a dynamic regional hub of approximately 86,000 residents, nestled in the northwest corner of the state at the confluence of Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska. The city blends Midwestern friendliness with charming urban amenities, offering a welcoming atmosphere for professionals and families alike.
The city boasts 58 well-maintained parks, including scenic riverfront spaces and a preserved natural area in the Loess Hills ideal for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing. Golfers can enjoy several local courses, while year-round events fill the calendar at venues like the downtown Orpheum Theatre, Tyson Events Center, and Anderson Dance Pavilion—hosting everything from Broadway productions and concerts to annual favorites like River-Cade and ArtSplash.
Among Sioux City's standout qualities are its affordability, strong sense of community, and low crime rate. Housing costs run about 24% below the national average and outperform most comparable urban areas. Residents frequently cite the friendly, small-town atmosphere, engaged neighborhoods, and abundance of family-oriented events as key reasons to call Sioux City home.
To Apply
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and 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.
To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjyuovh7
Please apply through the application link and do not email applications.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.
Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.
Inquiries and questions: Please send to [email protected]
Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to [email protected].
Institutional Information
Briar Cliff University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community.
