Vice President for Fiscal Affairs and Chief Financial Officer

Vice President for Fiscal Affairs and Chief Financial Officer

Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (CU) invites nominations and applications for a visionary leader for the position of Vice President for Fiscal Affairs & Chief Financial Officer (VPFA / CFO). This role offers a unique opportunity to be a part of a dynamic institution committed to fostering academic excellence, enhancing student success, and driving innovation in higher education. The university is seeking an experienced and creative fiscal affairs leader with the strategic management qualities to build on the institution’s reputation for innovation and student-focused approaches, leveraging the excellent reputations of its legacy universities to take CU to even higher levels of student success and financial sustainability. The exceptionally qualified and committed faculty and staff take pride in delivering outstanding academic and life experiences to students through personalized attention and small classes, all taught by faculty members. Students also benefit from the flexibility to leverage faculty expertise across CU’s multiple locations through innovative technologies that support hybrid modalities.

The VPFA / CFO will express a passion for the mission of public education and will understand and embrace the important social, cultural, and economic roles public education plays in the region and state. Equally important is the need for the VPFA / CFO to uphold the highest standards for intellectual inquiry and be an enterprising and collaborative leader committed not only to the success of Commonwealth University, but also to shaping the future of higher education.

The next Vice President of Fiscal Affairs & Chief Financial Officer for Commonwealth University will first and foremost demonstrate a living, active commitment to the University’s academic mission and the students it serves. The ideal VPFA / CFO will possess :

• A master’s degree in accounting, finance, business, public administration, or a related field;
• Extensive executive-level leadership experience in the areas of finance / accounting and budget;
• Ten (10) years progressively responsible administrative experience in accounting, budgeting, and strategic planning in a complex organization;
• A minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience;
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in a unionized environment is highly preferred;
• CPA / CMA is highly preferred;
• High integrity and trustworthiness, as evidenced through providing sound, consistent, and ethical financial counsel based upon the knowledge of financial and legal best practices and PASSHE requirements;
• Executive-level accounting and budget experience in higher education and knowledge of the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as they apply to higher education, are preferred;
• The ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, faculty, staff, donors, Trustees, and the public;
• Ensure a quality experience for students while applying budgetary and fiscal planning and prioritization techniques within financial constraints;
• Comprehensive understanding and proven success in navigating the complex challenges of higher education, encompassing aspects such as ensuring affordability and student access. Collaborating with fellow vice presidents and senior leaders, implementing enrollment management and retention strategies, and creating a student- centric information technology environment that enhances the student experience through technology-driven solutions for learning, communication and support services;
• Substantial experience with strategic planning, including a readiness to provide leadership for institutional planning, and the ability to articulate a shared leadership vision and engage others in its implementation;
• Experience in effective servant leadership through strong interpersonal skills, including the eagerness to cultivate robust working relationships with colleagues across all areas of the University;
• Strong communication and active listening skills that fosters trust and mutual respect, in addition to an ability to demonstrate decisiveness and the capability to effectively lead complicated and difficult discussions, guiding them to a prompt resolution;
• Possess a profound understanding and respect for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, recognizing their significance in fostering academic excellence. The candidate should demonstrate a history of working effectively with diverse communities and exhibit a strong commitment to Commonwealth University’s mission and values, with the ability to articulate its mission and goals persuasively; and
• Consistent dedication to the promotion of a high-performance culture and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.

How to Apply

Greenwood Asher & Associates® is assisting Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania in this search. Applications and nominations are now being accepted. The search will be conducted with a commitment of confidentiality for candidates until finalists are selected. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. For best consideration, please submit application materials by October 10, 2025

Application materials should include :

Please submit materials to CommonwealthUVPFA@greenwoodsearch.com

Inquiries, questions, and nominations regarding this opportunity should be directed to :

Julie Holley, Associate Vice President of Executive Search julieholley@greenwoodsearch.com

Denice Perdue, Senior Executive Search Consultant deniceperdue@greenwoodsearch.com

Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, marital or family status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability in any decision regarding admissions, employment, or participation in a University program or activity in accordance with the letter and spirit of federal, state, and local non-discrimination and equal opportunity laws, such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendments Act, the Equal Pay Act, and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.

GADVID : 703026