Reporting to the President, the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) oversees the university’s financial and business operations, including financial planning, budget development and control, investments, facilities, risk management, asset management, and procurement. The CFO is also directly involved in managing the University's endowment and investments, the employee retirement plan, and bond financing.

The CFO serves as a key member of the president’s cabinet and leadership team. He/she works closely with a dedicated Board of Trustees and provides staff support to the Finance & Investment and Audit committees.

This CFO is a vitally important appointment for HPU, at a critical juncture in the university’s history. Thoughtful and creative financial and administrative stewardship will be essential to the success of HPU’s educational mission. A successful CFO will take the time to understand the many facets of the educational mission and will actively engage in dialogue with both the internal and external communities to better understand the culture before implementing needed changes to the financial structure of the university.

Compensation:
$300,000+ per year
Commensurate with experience, skills, and qualifications.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or related field; or advanced degree.
• Minimum 10 years in progressively responsible senior financial positions.
• Direct experience in the majority of the following discipline areas: finance; financial reporting and forecasting; budget management; issuance and management of debt; funds investment; designing and operating strong financial models; asset management; financial compliance; and strategic planning and analysis.
• Given the executive leadership role and management of significant University resources, the CFO must have a credit history appropriate to that of an institution’s chief financial officer.

Desired Qualifications:

• Senior executive experience as a chief financial or business officer.
• Experience in a higher education and/or nonprofit organization.
• Advanced degree in business, finance, or related field.
• Licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• Exceptionally strong personnel management, and supervisory skills.
• A strategic thinker with the ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and direct multiple projects and activities within varied deadlines.
• Demonstrated success in managing budgets with the goal of achieving specific cost conservation goals.
• Experience in working with financial counterparties, such as banks, bondholders (and bond rating agencies), and/or other capital providers.
• A person of financial acumen who will aid the university in matching aspirations with available resources while thinking creatively about alternative revenue streams.
• A transparent decision-maker who is data-driven, builds consensus, has the fortitude to make difficult choices when necessary, and communicates decisions with clarity and care.
• Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal and public relations skills with the ability to positively influence/motivate faculty and staff.
• A statesperson with the ability to build consensus in enhancing relations with University and external stakeholders all while setting priorities and working well with all levels of personnel.

Other Qualifications: (Additional qualities, behaviors, or soft skills that describe someone who will be successful in this position.)

• Outstanding leadership and team building skills.
• A leader with a deep understanding of and respect for HPU’s commitment to shared governance and a successful track record of promoting collegiality and consultative decision-making.
• An active listener who is open to alternative points of view with an eye toward developing policies and solutions that are in the best long-term interest of the University.
• Strong interpersonal skills, self-motivation and critical judgment to operate with independence and confidence while interfacing with faculty and staff in departments across the institution.
• Sound judgment and high ethical standards
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work in a fast-paced ever-changing environment.
• A deep commitment to the mission, vision and values of the University; someone who lives aloha, pono, and kuleana.
• Able and willing to travel within the Hawai'i community, to the Pacific, and internationally.
• Able to work all shifts and extended hours.
• May require work during HPU’s winter break, as necessary, and may require on-campus presence during emergencies and other sensitive times.
• Must successfully complete training and background check requirements and comply with the University’s Protection of Minors policy.
• Upon hire, candidate must have reliable personal transportation to facilitate travel between all HPU worksites and other locations as required by the position. This includes a valid driver’s license, a personal vehicle that is legally registered and insured and completion of training and background check qualifications to comply with HPU’s Vehicle Driving policy.

Key Responsibilities/Essential Job Functions:

1. As the Chief Financial Officer, the CFO will develop and implement comprehensive financial vision and strategy for HPU. (40%)

• The CFO will work with the President, Board and other senior leaders to create a clear and comprehensive financial vision and strategy for the university. This vision will provide a framework for the development of systems and processes necessary for the university to succeed, and will lead to a more entrepreneurial culture that encourages departments to act nimbly to most effectively reach their academic and business objectives.
• The CFO will craft a strategic financial plan that is closely aligned with the Strategic Plan and supports academic excellence centered on leveraging and growing revenues and incenting performance and innovation. The CFO will also ensure that real-world constraints are factored in to financial decision-making and that investments in areas such as technology, equipment, and property are made wisely. Playing a pivotal role in university financial planning and budgeting, the CFO will anticipate and articulate the impact of major programmatic decisions on the university’s financial future, identify and articulate risks and ways to minimize them and stimulate the very best strategic thinking among university leaders.
• In partnership with the Vice President of Enrollment Management, the CFO will develop annual enrollment prediction models using established trends and set tuition and discount rates.
• The CFO will provide oversight of Board committees including the Audit Committee and Finance and Investment committee.
  • The Audit Committee has oversight responsibilities for (1) the integrity and quality of the University’s financial accounting and reporting processes, financial statements and systems of internal controls, (2) compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) the performance of the University’s internal audit function and external auditor, (4) institutional ethics and conflicts of interest; and (5) the University’s risk management process.
  • The Finance and Investment Committee assists the Board of Trustees with respect to the oversight by the Board of the endowment and financial affairs of HPU.

2. The CFO will lead and drive strategic goals for the areas of Budgets and Financial Analysis, Tax & Compliance, Facilities and Risk Management, Business Development and Asset Management, Investments/Endowment Management, and Procurement. (40%)

• Budgets and Financial Analysis. Promotes the financial well-being of the University by providing budget management, monitoring appropriate investments of temporary cash balances, exercising executive control over University budgets, and safeguarding all financial assets of the University.
• Tax & Compliance. Oversees the university’s tax policies and objectives, preparation of tax filings, and provide tax research and guidance. He/she will monitor reporting and planning to ensure compliance with applicable federal and state tax statutes. These duties include but are not limited to the oversight and preparation of the Form 990 “Return of Organization Exempt from Tax.”
• Facilities and Risk Management. Ensures a safe and efficient working environment while reducing exposure to risk across all of Hawaii Pacific University’s facilities and locations. Provide senior level oversight of the Facilities Department to include ongoing maintenance, janitorial and grounds operations, planning, design, cost analysis, feasibility studies, fleet management, and administration for all new construction and renovation or modification of existing infrastructure on Hawaii Pacific University’s campuses.
• Investments/Endowment Management. Manages the accounting of both the investments and the charitable gifts for planned giving and life income funds of the endowment, including annuity contracts, life income trust agreements, and insurance policies.
• Procurement. Provides strategic oversight into the preparation, negotiation, and awarding of contracts, bids and/or requests for proposals; issuing purchase orders as required; expediting goods and services and dispute resolution with vendors; maintaining reconciliations relating to capital budget and expenses, and other purchasing related tasks.

3. Leads all people management efforts including learning and professional development efforts for the department. (15%)
Reporting to the CFO are three leadership positions: AVP Controller; Director, Budgets Office; and Director, Financial Analysis.

• Promotes a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality. Effectively manages low and underperformers.
• Provides learning and development opportunities for developing department staff, including attendance at professional development seminars, setting of goals/objectives, periodic development discussions, and timely completion of annual reviews.
• Creates a collegial, team-building work environment, motivating staff and cultivating productive, collaborative relationships with all constituent groups.
• Recruits and manages departmental team as well as faculty, trustees, alumni, student and staff partners to support the development and execution of strategy in a high-paced and complex environment.

4. Performs other related duties as assigned (5%)

• “Report to duty” obligations in the event of emergencies. Serves as a member of HPU’s Emergency Response Plan.
• Participate in special projects to further the mission of the University; and
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  

This description is not designed to list all activities, duties or responsibilities which may be required for this job. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned at any time.

Hawaii Pacific University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable environment in which faculty and staff can excel irrespective of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, or any other protected class covered by state and federal law. Hawaii Pacific University encourages applications from veterans and individuals with disabilities. A pre-employment background investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment.