Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration - Pulaski, United States - InsideHigherEd

Description

The University of Tennessee Southern
Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration

The University of Tennessee Southern invites applications and nominations for the appointment of Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration. The University is seeking a Vice Chancellor who can provide financial strategy and oversight, be an essential partner in building business plans, and develop new revenue models. This position offers the opportunity to play a defining role in shaping the future of the University in a period of growth and new direction.

About the University

The University of Tennessee Southern (UT Southern), established in 2021 through the acquisition of Martin Methodist College (founded in 1870), is the newest and smallest campus in the University of Tennessee System. Located in Pulaski, it is the only public four-year institution between Chattanooga and Memphis, conveniently positioned about 70 miles south of Nashville and 40 miles north of Huntsville, Alabama. UT Southern offers a unique blend of a private, small-college feel with the benefits of a public university, including affordable tuition and extensive resources. The university serves approximately 1,000 students across over 30 academic programs in business, education, humanities, sciences, nursing, and social sciences. Students enjoy low student-to-teacher ratios and personalized instruction. The UT Southern Firehawks compete in 19 varsity sports, with recent national championships in both women's and men's soccer.

The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees recently approved UT Southern's inaugural five-year strategic plan: Igniting Excellence. The strategic plan is built on three foundational pillars designed to guide UT Southern through its next phase of growth and development: enhance academic excellence and promote innovation; create transformational student experiences and foster student success; and establish greater connectedness and facilitate campus and community engagement.

The University of Tennessee Southern's vision is to be the epicenter for education, community leadership, and workforce development in south-central Tennessee and a national model for higher education in rural America.

The mission of the University of Tennessee Southern is to:

• provide undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs grounded in the liberal arts and sciences that are designed to prepare students for careers and lives of continued learning;
  
• promote a diverse and globally conscious learning community that nurtures intellectual, social, and personal growth; and
  
• serve the region through educational, social, and cultural programs and through community outreach and development.

About the Position

Reporting directly to the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (VCFA) is a member of the chancellor's senior leadership team (SLT) and serves as chief business officer for UT Southern, overseeing all financial matters for the campus.

The VCFA plays a crucial role in shaping a sustainable and financially sound direction for UT Southern's financial operations, collaborating closely with the SLT and broader university administration. The Vice Chancellor is responsible for leading the Finance and Administration, which encompasses accounting and financial operations, financial planning and modeling, budgeting, pricing, data integrity, and internal control mechanisms. With direct oversight of the business and campus services, facilities management, IT, auxiliary services, and human resources; the VCFA also acts as the chief budget officer, to achieve the strategic plan's financial goals and objectives.

The VCFA collaborates closely with campus leadership, school chairs, athletics, and other stakeholders to create and support the University's financial vision and strategy while ensuring fiscal responsibility. This includes close partnership with the UT Foundation (Advancement) on fundraising initiatives, property acquisitions, and other related activities, all integral to the University's growth and financial health. The VCFA will ensure transparency, data-informed decision-making, creative solutions, and innovative approaches to improving processes and leading change. This role is pivotal in aligning the University's financial and administrative functions with its strategic goals.
The VCFA will be expected to serve as a campus ambassador – engaging with the broader community, including elected officials, business and industry, health care, education, and economic development locally, regionally, and statewide. The VCFA may be called upon to represent the University, in public venues, community meetings, and with other stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Master's degree in accounting, business administration, management, or related field is required. Supervisory experience and at least five years of professional, progressive leadership experience and accomplishment in planning, financial modeling, managing, and implementing business and financial systems is also required.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience leading change, establishing accountability, and empowering others. As a highly collaborative leader, the successful candidate will value shared governance and will establish positive working relationships within the campus community, across the UT System, and among external stakeholders.

Nominations and Applications

The full leadership profile can be found here: Leadership Profile

Priority consideration will be given to materials received by May 31, 2024. Applications should include a 1) current CV and 2) a letter of interest that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications described above.

Buffkin/Baker, an executive search firm, is assisting UT Southern in the search. Inquiries of interest, nominations, and applications should be submitted electronically, in confidence, to:

Buffkin / Baker
Mr. Martin M. Baker, Managing Partner
Ms. Chelsie Whitelock, Associate Partner

Compensation for the position will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, and much more.

Additionally, Tennessee residents do not pay a state income tax. For more information on the University of Tennessee's benefits, visit

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section504 (disability), the ADA(disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the System Human Resources, Knoxville, TN 37996, telephone Requests for accommodation of a disability may also be directed to this office.

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