San José State University
Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer Position Description
San José State University (SJSU) is conducting a national search for the position of Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer (VPAF/CFO), an executive cabinet level position reporting directly to the President of the University. The VPAF/CFO provides leadership for financial strategic planning and direct supervision of the financial and administrative/business functions of the university, which include: Finance; Facilities Development & Operations; Human Resources; University Police; and Spartan Shops, Incorporated.
San José State University http://www.sjsu.edu/
Founded in 1857 San José State University (SJSU) is the oldest public institution of higher education on the West Coast, and is located in the heart of Silicon Valley. One of the 200 top research universities in the nation, SJSU offers rigorous course work and research opportunities to almost 33,000 undergraduate and graduate students in seven colleges.
SJSU’s location in Silicon Valley makes it an exceptionally rewarding learning environment for students. Silicon Valley firms and agencies seek SJSU students for internships, summer work programs and for assistance with research and development projects. Silicon Valley firms employ more graduates from SJSU than from any other university in the nation.
Division of Administration and Finance http://www.sjsu.edu/adminfinance/
To support the mission of San José State University, the Administration and Finance Division strives to be innovative, improving and offering new services to support the university and its mission. The VPAF/CFO has five direct reports for each of the financial/administrative service areas that include 311 employees and oversees the University’s budget of approximately $300 million in operating funds and a total annual budget of nearly $500 million. The VPAF/CFO also has financial oversight responsibility for all auxiliary organizations.
Finance
Finance serves the campus by providing administrative information systems (Finance, Human Resources, and Student Records) and financial services. The Bursar’s Office provides services related to cashiering, accounts receivable, and collections. Accounting Services encompasses accounting and financial reporting. Procurement & Support Services provides services related to purchasing, accounts payable, shipping & receiving, and campus mail.
Facilities Development and Operations
The University has over 70 permanent instructional facilities and other facilities that support student and administrative services. Facilities Development and Operations (FD&O) is
committed to the creation, development and preservation of the rich, unique cultural heritage of the campus in order to enhance the aesthetics, functionality, accessibility and safety of a
learning environment that enriches the campus experience and inspires social and cultural interaction. San José State University has an ongoing environmental sustainability program and FD&O plays a guiding role in this endeavor. As part of the capital construction plan, the
campus has undertaken several notable construction and renovation projects: http://www.sjsu.edu/fdo/departments/pdc/projects/
The University occupies 19 blocks in downtown San José, as well as 62 acres that make up South Campus, housing the Spartan Stadium and athletic fields. FD&O includes Energy & Utilities Management; Environmental Health & Safety; Facilities Management; and Planning, Design & Construction.
Human Resources
excellence in customer service to faculty, staff, students, administration, and potential SJSU employees.
University Police
The University Police Department (UPD) engages with the campus community to create a safe environment in which to live, work and learn. Members of the department are highly trained and motivated to deliver professional police, public safety and parking services to every
member of our diverse campus community. UPD is headed by the Chief of Police, whose office includes the Fiscal Services Unit, and is organized into two bureaus: the Administrative Bureau, which includes Communications, Investigations & Crime Prevention, Police Records, Property & Evidence and Support Services, including Parking Services; and the Operations Bureau, which includes Police Patrol, and Emergency Preparedness.
Administration & Finance Division Operating Budgets and Staff by Department:
Department Budget Staff
Finance $4.9 million 63
Facilities
Development & Operations
$12.6 million 163
Human Resources $3.0 million 37 University Police $3.8 million 44 Vice President
Administration & Finance and
Division Resources
$2.7 million 4
Spartan Shops, Inc.
University Auxiliary Organizations
There are five auxiliary organizations associated with the University. The Vice President and CFO is a board member of four of the five, and is the primary responsible campus official in respect to administrative compliance and fiscal oversight for all auxiliaries. In addition to Spartan Shops, there are four other auxiliaries:
• Associated Students represents the students of SJSU, improving the quality of their
educational opportunities and experiences. Associated Students provides services and activities that enhance the opportunity to meet, recreate and maximize student life. One of the priorities is providing opportunities to get involved and obtain leadership skills.
• The Research Foundation provides an entrepreneurial framework through which local,
state and federal agencies, businesses and private foundations engage SJSU faculty and students in sponsored research, public service and community projects, consulting and other specialized educational activities in support of the university’s mission.
• The Student Union, Inc. is a non-profit corporation that maintains the Student Union
Building, the Event Center, and the Aquatic Center. The Student Union, Inc. functions as part of the Student Affairs Division.
• The Tower Foundation is part of the Division of University Advancement and is dedicated
solely to philanthropy. Tower assists with the development, investment, administration and banking of all philanthropic donations to San José State University.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities of the VPAF/CFO
1. Serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet. Consistent with SJSU’s commitment to shared governance, the VPAF/CFO also serves as a member of SJSU’s Academic Senate Executive Committee, Academic Senate and a variety of other campus committees, as a key participant in developing university policy and strategic plans. 2. Develops and recommends financial policies, programs and strategies to all
University Divisions including athletics (Division I).
3. Provides leadership and vision to a diverse set of business and finance units, with direct management for:
• Finance
• Facilities Development & Operations • Human Resources
• University Police Department • Spartan Shops, Inc.
5. Represents SJSU’s interests with a variety of units within the CSU Chancellor’s Office. Serves as a member of the CSU’s Chief Administrators & Business Officers (CABO) organization. Serves as the University’s representative on fiscal matters with the Executive Vice Chancellor for Fiscal Affairs of the CSU system.
6. Serves as the Chief Financial Officer for auxiliaries as the President’s designee. Serves on community boards as the university’s business/financial representative. 7. Maintains effective public relations with the campus, local community, CSU system,
and state constituencies. MANAGERIAL STANDARD
It is expected that a manager demonstrates an open, participatory, team-oriented management style; flexibility regarding changes; the ability to articulate ideas clearly, both orally and in writing; to listen accurately; to establish rapport with people from diverse backgrounds; to maintain dignity and self-control in stressful situations; and be objective about personal strengths and limitations.
CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
1. A leadership philosophy that takes into consideration the sensitivity and complexity of the campus community, as well as the relationship with the City of San José. 2. Excellent strategic financial acumen with solid skills in operations and fiscal
management in a climate of transparency.
3. Strong comprehension of the physical assets and capital projects on campus, and their relationship to the academic mission and the campus master plan.
4. The ability to make quick decisions, sometimes based on limited information, in order to solve a problem or respond to emergency situations.
5. Outstanding professional, management and communication skills, initiative,
originality, excellent judgment, creative problem solving, and impeccable integrity. 6. The ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a
diverse multi-cultural environment, and a strong commitment to and support of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
1. Bachelor’s Degree in business or a related field.
2. Seven years of directly related experience in progressively responsible business/administration/financial senior level management positions.
3. Experience managing a large complex budget from multiple funding sources with varying restrictions.
5. Demonstrated ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
6. Strong financial acumen with demonstrated solid knowledge of fiscal operations and principles.
7. Demonstrated ability to develop, present, and explain complex financial and administrative data and analysis to a wide range of audiences.
Preferred Qualifications
1. Master’s degree from an accredited institution. 2. Relevant leadership experience in higher education.
3. Experience working in a collective bargaining environment. 4. Experience in process and quality improvement.
5. A track record of and sincere interest in working effectively and collaboratively with other divisions outside the finance/facilities domain.
6. The ideal candidate will have experience working on a diverse campus and comfortable responding to a wide range of constituents.
7. Evidence of working effectively to develop and enhance collaboration between an institution or organization and its surrounding community.
8. Demonstrated experience working in most or a majority of the following areas: Facilities/Infrastructure/Capital Projects, Finance, Human Resources, non-profit entities, and University Police.
Appointment
This is a full-time management position covered by the California State University Management Personnel Plan, with an excellent benefits package. Under the management plan, incumbents are subject to normal management reviews and serve at the pleasure of the University
President.
Required Application Materials
For full consideration, applications are to be received by February 26, 2015; however, the position will remain open until filled. A complete application will include 1) a letter of interest that addresses the duties and responsibilities of the position, 2) a current résumé, and 3) three (3) current references. Evidence of degrees is required at the time of hire.
Sharon Tanabe, Partner or Emy Peña, Principal Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates
6512 Painter Avenue Whittier, CA 90601
Electronic submissions are preferred. Please email us at
stsearch@storbeckpimentel.com CODE: SJSU VPAFCFO
For a confidential inquiry or nomination contact either Ms. Tanabe or Ms. Peña at 562-360-1612