Senior Associate VP Finance Operations

Senior Associate VP Finance Operations Job Summary The Senior Associate Vice President for Finance Operations serves as the University’s senior operational finance executive and principal advisor to the Chief Financial Officer for financial operations, controllership, procurement and enterprise financial administration. The role provides executive leadership for accounting operations, financial reporting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, student accounting, procurement, operational treasury activities, and oversight of grant and endowment accounting. The Senior Associate VP establishes operational standards, promotes continuous improvement, strengthens the University’s financial control environment and ensures consistent application of accounting principles, procurement requirements, financial policies and business processes across the institution. Essential Duties Financial Operations Leadership Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the University’s accounting operations, procurement, student accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial reporting, and related financial administration functions. Establish operational priorities, service expectations, performance standards, and financial management practices that promote efficiency, accountability, and customer service through the Finance Division. Lead continuous evaluation and improvement of financial operations to strengthen internal controls, reduce risk, improve operational performance, and enhance stakeholder satisfaction. Controllership and Financial Reporting Provide executive oversight of controllership functions, ensuring the integrity of financial reporting, compliance with applicable accounting standards, and timely completion of the financial close process. Oversee reconciliation processes, accounting policy implementation, financial statement preparation, grant accounting, endowment accounting, and other financial reporting activities while promoting consistency and accuracy throughout the organization. Partner with the Controller to strengthen accounting operations, improve financial reporting processes, and maintain a sustainable financial control environment. Procurement and Financial Administration Provide executive oversight of the procurement function to promote compliant, efficient, and transparent purchasing practices consistent with University policies and applicable procurement regulations. Ensure procurement operations support strategic sourcing, contract utilization, supplier performance, and responsible stewardship of institutional resources. Collaborate with Strategic Initiatives & Transformation to monitor procurement performance, address control deficiencies, and implement operational improvements. Internal Controls and Operational Risk Management Establish and maintain a comprehensive operational control environment designed to ensure accurate financial reporting, protection of University assets, regulatory compliance and effective stewardship of public resources. Implement operational monitoring processes that promote timely reconciliations, segregation of duties, financial certifications, quality assurance reviews, and continuous improvement across Finance Operations. Lead management’s responses to operational audit findings and implement sustainable corrective actions that strengthen financial operations and reduce institutional risk. Organizational Leadership and Operational Excellence Develop strong finance teams through effective leadership, succession planning, employee development, performance management, and organizational improvement initiatives. Foster strong collaborative relationships with academic and administrative leadership to improve financial services, resolve operational challenges, and support institutional objectives. Promote innovation, technology, automation and process improvement initiatives that enhance operational effectiveness and customer experience. Qualifications Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Management, Organizational Leadership, Industrial Engineering, Accounting or a related field. Preferred: Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related discipline. Certification Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt Project Management Professional (PMP) Knowledge and Skills Governmental accounting and financial reporting principles. Higher education financial operations and business processes. Internal controls, operational risk management and financial stewardship. Procurement laws, strategic sourcing and contract administration. Grant accounting, endowment accounting and restricted funds management. Financial systems, enterprise resource planning systems and operational performance management. Lead complex financial operations, build high‑performing teams, strengthen internal controls, drive operational excellence and continuous improvement. Executive communication and stakeholder engagement, strategic problem solving and organizational leadership. Abilities Lead multiple operational finance functions simultaneously. Strengthen organizational accountability and financial stewardship. Influence executive decision‑making through sound operational leadership. Develop collaborative relationships across the University. Resolve complex operational and financial issues. Lead organizational transformation while maintaining high standards of customer service, compliance and financial integrity. Demonstrated experience leading multiple financial operations within a complex organization, including responsibility for accounting operations, financial reporting, procurement, internal controls and operational excellence. Work Experience Minimum ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, procurement, controllership, financial operations or related executive financial management functions. Experience implementing operational improvements, strengthening financial controls and leading organizational change. Preferred experience in higher education, governmental finance or other large, complex organizations. Preferred experience leading enterprise finance operations, procurement modernization, internal control enhancement and organizational transformation initiatives. Employment Conditions Work performed in a standard office environment with extended periods of sitting, standing, walking and computer use, and attendance at meetings and events. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to support institutional priorities, board meetings, strategic initiatives, audits and special projects. Equal Opportunity Statement Texas Southern University provides a work environment free from discrimination for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status. The University adheres to all applicable federal, state and local laws regarding equal opportunity in all employment‑related activities, including but not limited to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. #J-18808-Ljbffr