Chief Financial Officer (Cfo)

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Benefits: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.
THE CFO JOB AT A GLANCE

At the University of Washington, we are serious about cybersecurity and enterprise risk management. More than 100,000 students, faculty and staff across three campuses, medical facilities and global research operations count on it. That's why the University just approved a multi-million-dollar yearly investment to advance our security program and enhance our cybersecurity capabilities.
The new funding underscores UW's continued commitment to safeguard its community and signals strong support for the new UW Chief Financial Officer, who will be entrusted with the vital responsibility of leading us into a more secure future.

As AVP and Chief Financial Officer, you'll be expected to provide leadership for planning, developing, directing, and running an innovative, trusted, and reliable financial and accounting program. One of the chief goals is to build a data and reporting culture and infrastructure at the UW — a delicate task that will require a deft touch and awesome collaboration skills as you work with multiple leaders, decentralized IT units and other major stakeholders across the University.

If you're ready for the challenge, we invite you to read more about our institution, our city, the job and its challenges and opportunities to transform and enhance one of the world's top universities. Or go ahead and apply now!

OUR UNIVERSITY

From a single building in 1861, today the UW spreads its wings across a 700-acre campus in the heart of Seattle, one of the most dynamic and technology-driven cities in the U.S. Offering more than 180 majors, the UW is teeming with innovative students and faculty who are conducing life-changing work at nearly 300 institute and research centers.

UW is recognized as one of the most innovative public universities in the world, and consistently ranks among the top public universities as well. We're home to seven Nobel Prize winners, 17 MacArthur Fellows, 189 members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, and 193 fellows in the American Association for the Advancement of Science. We are also the top recipient of federal research dollars among public universities.

But we are not just about awards. First and foremost, our faculty and staff are dedicated to our students and their success, something that has not gone unnoticed. This spring, more than 65,000 students applied to become a Husky in fall quarter 2023, one of the largest applicant pools in the school's history. Every year, the Husky 100 recognizes undergraduate and graduate students who are making the most of their time at the UW— showing our commitment to their success.

We're a people-driven university, with public service deeply ingrained in our DNA, and its starts with leadership, from the UW President all the way to the CISO.

"I'm often asked about my vision for the UW, and my answer has always been simple: to be the top public university in the world in terms of positive impact," UW President Ana Mari Cauce said.

The AVP and CFO position is not simply about financial management — it's about people and their work. As we seek to increase the financial stability at UW, we're keenly aware of the need for budget management —as we are stewards of the funds Washington State and grant supporters provide. As a leader, it's imperative for the CFO to support a culture of fiscal security that keeps us going while allowing the work of a public university to flow freely and as intended by its authors.

OUR HOME

In the last decade, more than 600,000 people moved to the central Puget Sound metropolitan area — more than 100,000 of them to Seattle, the hub of one of the most economically powerful regions in North America.

These new residents came for various reasons, many of them attracted by the region's natural beauty and its significant leadership role in education, technology and medical research. Even the large Silicon Valley tech companies opened offices in Seattle, going after a large pool of homegrown talent.
The UW plays a significant role in the daily life of the city. Some might say we are a city in our own right, with tens of thousands of people coming and going from campus every day. There are other universities in the metro area, but none is more ingrained in the hearts of our residents than the UW. We are all Huskies who wear purple and gold.

What can you expect from living and working here? An international city with a worldly outlook, a hub of technology respected across the globe. Our region is, after all, home to Microsoft, Amazon, T-Mobile USA, Starbucks, Costco, Nordstrom, Alaska Airlines, REI, Zillow and Tableau. Did you know UPS got its start in Seattle? So did Paccar, the truck company, and the legendary Boeing Company, which still builds planes in the region. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, our neighbor and often partner in research, pioneered the treatment of blood cancers, and has three Nobel laureates. The list goes on and on.

Of course, we are not just about work. The UW encourages a healthy life-work balance, and the beauty of the region provides plenty of opportunities for all kinds of fun activities, from the mountains to the sea. Seattle and its neighboring cities have a rich culture and arts scene, with plenty of live music, theater and festivals all year round.

YOU AT THE UW

You can find the full set of requirements for the AVP and CFO position in the application process. However, we wanted to highlight a few things that we consider non-negotiable for someone in this position:
As the AVP and CFO, you'll be expected to embrace and model organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) competencies. You must understand the impact of technology on historically marginalized communities and ensure that security solutions are inclusive and accessible to all members of the University community.

We want an AVP and CFO who will promote a culture of DEI across the University, incorporating DEI principles into hiring, staff development, engagement, and decision-making processes; collaborate with other university leaders to ensure that technology and security solutions align with the University's DEI goals and values; lead by example, modeling DEI principles in all aspects of you work and creating a culture of inclusivity and belonging within the team and across the University. As an example of our commitment to DEI, the UW acknowledges the Coast Salish peoples of this land, the land which touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations.
As AVP and CFO you'll be expected to actively engage with various stakeholders, such as UW Bothell, UW Tacoma, UW Seattle, UW Medicine, UW Schools and Colleges, and global research operations. Through this collaborative approach, you'll develop and implement a comprehensive financial program, encompassing fund management, accounting, operational forecasting, data and reports, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

In this position, you'll seamlessly blend strategy and policy expertise with technical and accounting operations knowledge, demonstrating strong leadership skills. By navigating the complexities of a major research university and employing a consultative approach, you'll need skills to influence, partner, and align with various academic and administrative units, you'll have a lasting impact on the University's security environment. This, in turn, supports teaching, learning, and research activities, helping to ensure the preservation, advancement, and dissemination of knowledge for the betterment of our world.
Do you have what it takes to be our AVP and CFO? Apply now!

Requirements: A minimum of 10 years of experience in a leadership role within finance, accounting or budgeting.
Demonstrated expertise in the development and execution of multi-year financial plans for complex organizations or divisions of a large institution, agency or company.
Understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and experience adopting best practices in promoting fiscal accountability and transparency in an organization.
Exceptional leadership qualities, including proven ability to support organizational values of being invested, compassionate, team players.
Experience modeling and furthering personal and team accountability, managing conflict, and own responsibility for mistakes.
Effective oral and written communication skills, with the capacity to articulate complex ideas persuasively to a diverse range of stakeholders.
Proven experience with data analysis and the ability to distill complex datasets into straightforward, actionable insights.
A commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility is expected for this role.

Desired: Over 10 years of experience in finance, accounting, or a related field.
Supervisory experience managing teams of 10-15 or more is preferred.
Experience working in a public higher education, state institution, or with a firm that serves a higher education or state institution.

Conditions of Employment:
Hybrid, open office environment

UW-IT has retained Next Generation Leadership Partners to support this recruitment. Confidential inquiries and nominations may be directed to Managing Partner, Phil Goldstein, at ******. Applicants should apply directly to Next Generation by submitting a cover letter and resume here.
Applicants should submit their materials by October 18th for full consideration." Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or ****** .
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law .

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