Vice President for Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer

The University of St. Thomas invites nominations and applications for the position of vice president for business affairs and chief financial officer (CFO). This is a pivotal leadership opportunity at one of the nation’s leading Catholic universities—an institution committed to educating morally responsible leaders who advance the common good. The CFO will play a central role in shaping the financial and operational future of a mission-driven university poised for continued growth and transformation.

A full Leadership Profile can be found on Witt Kieffer's website here: https://wittkieffer.com/positions/201649 

As the University advances its ambitious goals, the CFO will serve as a key architect of financial strategy, institutional stewardship, and operational excellence. Reporting directly to President Vischer and serving on the president’s cabinet and senior staff, the CFO oversees a broad portfolio including finance, facilities, auxiliary services, public safety, purchasing, and campus operations. The CFO leads a team of 289 staff and manages an operating budget of $297 million.

Role of the Vice President for Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer

Reporting directly to the president, the vice president for business affairs and chief financial officer (CFO) is the University’s chief business and financial officer and treasurer. Acting as a strategic partner and trusted advisor to the president, this position provides financial stewardship and operational oversight across a broad range of business and administrative functions. The CFO collaborates closely
with the president, provost, and other senior leaders to guide the institution's strategic direction and is responsible for stewarding the University's $297 million budget. This role demands executive presence, operational expertise, and financial acumen to foster collaboration, build trust, and deliver results across diverse University functions.

As a member of the president’s cabinet and senior staff, the CFO advances the University’s mission by integrating financial, business, and operational management into strategic decision-making, ensuring long-term sustainability, operational excellence, and community well-being. The CFO works closely with the Board of Trustees and staffs the Audit/Finance, Physical Facilities, and Investment Committees.
The CFO manages a team of six direct reports and 289 total FTEs.

The CFO oversees the following essential functions:

• Financial Planning and Budgeting - Leads development and oversight of annual and multi-year budgets, capital planning, and financial forecasting.
• Financial Analysis - Directs institution-wide financial and operational analysis, including enrollment modeling, cash flow, risk analysis, auxiliary enterprise revenue, and scenario planning.
• Facilities and Campus Operations - Provides executive oversight of Facilities Management, including capital projects, maintenance, sustainability, and space planning.
• Institutional Leadership - Advises the president and cabinet; represents business affairs to the Board of Trustees; and ensures alignment of business strategy with institutional priorities.
• Accounting and Business Operations - Provides executive oversight for accounting, receivables, payables, purchasing, insurance, and financial systems.
• Auxiliary Services - Oversees dining services, Conferences and Events, Campus Stores, and Parking and Public Safety, ensuring high-quality services, financial sustainability, and customer satisfaction.

In this role, the CFO:

• Leads both financial and business affairs, ensuring operational excellence, compliance, and fiscal sustainability.
• Develops and guides the strategic financial plan; directs and oversees the annual operating and capital budget processes and financial reporting systems.
• Analyzes economic and industry trends, providing proactive guidance to executive leadership.
• Holds fiduciary responsibility for safeguarding and optimizing University assets.
• Plays a leading role in financial and operational planning at the cabinet level, influencing priorities and resource allocation.
• Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, funding agencies, and accrediting bodies through continuous monitoring of operations, programs, and physical properties.
• Serves as primary liaison with banks, lenders, rating agencies, auditors, and other external stakeholders.
• Provides staff support to the Board of Trustees Audit/Finance, Physical Facilities, and Investment ommittees.
• Champions a culture of service, innovation, efficiency, and inclusion across all administrative units.
• Collaborates with academic and operational leaders to align business strategies with the University’s educational mission.

The ideal candidate will be a strategic, collaborative leader with deep expertise in financial planning, budgeting, and operational management. They will possess the presence and credibility to engage effectively with trustees and stakeholders; the emotional intelligence to build a culture of partnership and inclusion; and the vision to align financial decisions with institutional priorities. A technology forward mindset, commitment to innovation, and ability to lead through complexity will be essential.

Professional Qualifications and Personal Qualities

The University of St. Thomas seeks a proven leader with a record of impactful and sustained success in finance and business affairs. The successful candidate will combine strategic ambition and a results oriented mindset with compassion, a student-centered approach, and a deep commitment to access - reflecting the University’s Catholic mission and values.

In addition, the ideal candidate will demonstrate strengths in the following areas:

• Strategic financial leadership experience
• Higher education and institutional finance expertise
• Capital and treasury management
• Team leadership and organizational development
• Stakeholder engagement and communication
• Forecasting and technological experience
• External Relations
• Mission alignment
• Educational background and credentials: A bachelor’s degree is required. A master’s degree in business, finance, or a related field, or a Certified Public Accountant licensure, is preferred.

Procedure for Candidacy

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile.

WittKieffer is assisting the University of St. Thomas in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by February 9, 2026.

Applications, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to:

Robin Mamlet, Jen Meyers Pickard, Ph.D., and Lauren Bruce-Stets

UST-CFO@wittkieffer.com 

DO NOT APPLY ON THE ST. THOMAS JOBS SITE

Salary Range: $315,000-$355,000.

The University of St. Thomas has provided a salary range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The specific salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information. The University of St. Thomas offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, which includes:

• Tuition Remission for employees, spouses, and dependents
• Generous Retirement Contributions to support your future
• Comprehensive Health Coverage, including medical, dental, and vision
• Fully Paid Insurance: disability, life, and AD&D
• Paid Parental Leave to support growing families

The University of St. Thomas embraces diversity, inclusion and equality for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment. We welcome applicants of diverse races, ethnicities, geographic origins, gender identities, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, religions, work experience, physical and intellectual abilities, and financial means. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills.

A full Leadership Profile can be found on Witt Kieffer's website here: https://wittkieffer.com/positions/201649