Chief Financial Officer

Accountabilities:

• Lead the development and execution of a sustainable financial strategy aligned with institutional priorities, strategic objectives, and long-term organizational resilience.
• Direct annual budgeting, multi-year forecasting, accounting practices, financial planning, and resource allocation across operating, grant, and capital budgets.
• Maintain strong financial controls and oversee treasury, tax, audit, risk management, compliance, and financial integrity.
• Evaluate institutional performance against budgets and strategic priorities, identifying opportunities for greater efficiency, cost savings, and new revenue.
• Provide timely financial reports, projections, budgets, and analysis for senior leadership and board-level decision-making.
• Oversee accounts, ledgers, financial reporting systems, and compliance with applicable accounting principles, regulatory requirements, and internal controls.
• Lead capital planning, project development, facilities planning, deferred maintenance strategies, and long-term infrastructure planning while maintaining budget discipline.
• Advise senior executives and other leaders on the financial implications of institutional decisions, strategic initiatives, and changing business models.
• Collaborate with academic and administrative leaders to align financial operations with organizational priorities and student success objectives.
• Build understanding among senior leaders and stakeholders of financial processes, resource constraints, and the role of finance in advancing institutional goals.
• Manage relationships with boards, government entities, funding organizations, vendors, consultants, and other external partners on financial and operational matters.
• Negotiate contracts, agreements, auxiliary services, insurance-related arrangements, and other financial partnerships to support effective resource management.
• Lead administrative teams and develop divisional plans that support organizational strategy, operational effectiveness, and continuous improvement.
• Identify opportunities to redesign processes, leverage technology, diversify revenue, and develop alternative funding models.
• Maintain awareness of financial and operational activities across academic and administrative functions to support informed enterprise-wide decision-making.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible relevant experience. Additional directly related experience may substitute for the degree at the stated 2:1 ratio.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in financial planning, analysis, management, and budgetary control, including at least 5 years of increasingly responsible administrative, management, and leadership experience. Candidates without a master’s degree require at least 14 years of directly related professional experience.
• Experience in capital planning, project development, financial forecasting, and oversight.
• Extensive experience negotiating contracts and agreements.
• Demonstrated commitment to strategic planning, continuous improvement, and organizational change.
• Experience in public-sector, nonprofit, healthcare, higher education, or similarly complex and regulated environments is preferred.
• Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal regulations and public-sector accounting and financial management principles.
• Experience developing high-performing teams and strengthening leadership capabilities within finance or administrative functions.
• Strong ability to use financial and operational data to guide strategic decisions, resource allocation, and performance improvement.
• Proven ability to lead through fiscal constraints, changing enrollment or revenue conditions, and complex organizational environments while maintaining mission focus.
• Experience identifying new revenue opportunities, strategic partnerships, grants, auxiliary enterprises, and alternative funding models.
• Strong analytical, listening, interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information into clear and actionable insights.
• Ability to build trust and credibility with diverse stakeholders, including executives, employees, board members, government representatives, community partners, and other institutional groups.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to manage complex organizational change while balancing financial controls with innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and mission-driven decision-making.

Benefits

• Annual salary of $106,992–$142,656, commensurate with credentials and relevant experience.
• Regular full-time position based in Syracuse, New York; the role is not remote.
• New York State Local Retirement System pension or an Optional Retirement Plan 401(a).
• Health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness for qualifying borrowers.
• Opportunity to provide executive-level leadership across finance, operations, risk management, budgeting, capital planning, and facilities.
• Exposure to complex financial planning, public-sector accounting, institutional strategy, and resource allocation.
• Collaboration with senior executives, board members, government stakeholders, academic leaders, employees, and community partners.
• Opportunity to develop new revenue strategies, improve business processes, strengthen financial sustainability, and support long-term organizational priorities.
• Mission-driven environment focused on student success, equity, organizational effectiveness, and responsible resource management.
• Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter, and provide three professional references, including two current or former supervisors.
• Final employment is contingent upon a background check, with official transcripts required upon hire.