Vice President, Business and Financial Affairs
Company: Western Washington University
Location: Bellingham
Posted on: February 26, 2021
Job Description:
Vice President, Business and Financial Affairs Work type:
Permanent Full Time
Location: Bellingham, WA
Categories: Business and Financial Affairs
Position Title Vice President, Business and Financial Affairs About
the University The main campus of Western Washington University is
located on 212 picturesque acres in Bellingham, Washington, a city
of about 90,000 people located between Seattle, Washington and
Vancouver, British Columbia. Nestled in the foothills of the
Cascade Mountains and adjacent to the beautiful San Juan Islands,
Bellingham is nationally recognized for quality of life, outdoor
adventure, and environmental stewardship. As the third largest
university in the State of Washington, Western enrolls over 16,000
students in more than 160 academic programs at the Bellingham
campus and seven satellite locations around the Puget Sound
area.Western, which first opened its doors in 1899, is perennially
ranked among the top five public, master's-granting universities in
the West, according to U.S. News & World Report college rankings.
Kiplinger's ranks Western among the top 100 public colleges and
universities in the nation that offer the best quality and
affordability. U.S. News and World Report has named Western one of
the most cost-efficient in the country among highly ranked
universities and for several years in a row the Chronicle of Higher
Education has recognized Western as a "Great Place to Work."
Western is particularly proud of its position as a leader in
multidisciplinary environmental education and sustainable campus
operations.Western provides an active student-centered learning
environment with a liberal arts and sciences foundation and robust
co-curricular, internship, research, creative, and service learning
opportunities. There is a widely shared vision that Western will be
a higher education leader in a culturally responsive 21 st century
learning environment, applying its critical strengths to societal
issues as well as creating a welcoming community for a diversity of
people, ideas, and programs. To that end, Western has embraced a
style that is collegial, transparent, and timely in its engagement
and communication with on- and off-campus stakeholders.Western is
not only committed to the academic growth of its students, but to
empowering them to be engaged and active agents of positive change
in the world. Western is one of the top ranked universities in the
nation among medium-sized universities for Peace Corps
participation and for the number of its graduates awarded Fulbright
Fellowships. Western is classified as a Carnegie Community
Engagement University. Western has been designated a "Military
Friendly School," for six consecutive years by G.I. Jobs
Magazine.Western Washington University is composed of seven
colleges and the Graduate School:
- College of Business and Economics
- College of Fine and Performing Arts
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- College of Science and Engineering
- Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies
- Huxley College of the Environment
- Woodring College of EducationThe University's Strategic Plan,
completed in 2018, defines aspirational goals for Western over the
next several years around three core themes: advancing inclusive
success, increasing Washington impact, and enhancing academic
excellence. The strategic plan makes good on Western's commitment
to an equitable and transformative education for all students and
its commitment to increasing Western's impact in the state and
beyond. (https://president.wwu.edu/mission-strategic-plan ).In 2017
Western Washington University adopted its Sustainability Action
Plan to honor the way sustainability is interconnected with the
University's core values around social and economic justice. The
vision is for sustainability to be embraced by the Western
community and put into practice on campus as well as in home lives
and communities. The plan reflects Western's values and vision for
the kind of world we want to live in and help create. About the
Department The Division of Business and Financial Affairs (BFA)
provides the range of human, fiscal, and capital services critical
to the successful advancement of the University's mission and
strategic directions. (www.bfa.wwu.edu )The Division's
responsibilities include:
- Ensuring the financial integrity of the University
- Overseeing the University-wide budget planning process
- Acquiring maximum levels of state capital appropriations to
address institutional needs, including engaging in long-range
planning and developing the WWU Institutional Master Plan
- Ensuring occupational and environmental health and safety for
faculty, staff, students and guests, including provision of
emergency management services
- Providing public safety to faculty, staff, students and
visitors, and safeguards for University property and assets,
assuring a safe and secure educational environment
- Giving full accountability to the public on the utilization of
public resources
- Exercising professional and sustainable stewardship of the
University's physical infrastructure
- Providing oversight of human resource services and providing
leadership ensuring all employees have a work environment that
supports equity, inclusion and valuing diversity
- Promoting positive interactions with community agencies and
organizations
- Ensuring coordination with local, State and Federal agencies
and regulatory complianceThe BFA Division has an annual budget of
approximately $23 million and consists of more than 330 permanent
employees working in seven units:Office of Associate Vice President
of Business and Financial Affairs provides oversight for Business
Services, Financial Services, Business and Financial Systems, and
Risk, Compliance and Policy Services and other business
auxiliaries. The Office also provides oversight of the University's
financial internal controls and Enterprise Risk Management and
provides advice on financial strategy and policy.--Budget and
Financial Planning has primary responsibility for the planning,
development, implementation, administration, and oversight of the
University's operating budget. Central elements of these functions
include the preparation and submission of the institution's
biennial operating budget request to the state legislature,
preparation of annual allocation plans, and ensuring that financial
resource decisions are in concert with the institution's strategic
priorities.Capital Planning and Development supports the
University's mission through planning, development, budgeting and
coordination of University-level capital budget policies and
procedures, individual project proposals, the biennial capital
request and 10-year Capital Plan, management of major and minor
capital construction projects, and allocation and related
administrative processes. The work of the unit also encompasses
long-range planning and development of the WWU Institutional Master
Plan.Environmental Health and Safety provides oversight of
occupational health and environmental management for the
University, including chemical, biological, radioactive materials
waste management and incident response and management of
environmental health and safety programs.--Facilities Management
leads the planning, development, maintenance and operation of
Western's facilities and grounds, including auxiliary departments.
The work of the unit also encompasses management of Western's
utilities and energy and building control systems, management of
minor construction projects including in-house renovations, and
vehicle maintenance.Human Resources is focused on advancing
systemic approaches to attracting, retaining and developing a
diverse workforce, and works collaboratively with the Office for
Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance to support equitable and fair
treatment for all employees. Human Resources services include
diversity outreach and recruitment, classified staff labor
relations, professional staff employee relations, classification
and compensation management, payroll, human resources information
systems, retirement and insurance, employee engagement, and
organizational and professional development.--Department of Public
Safety provides law enforcement, traffic control, event security,
crime prevention programs, leadership for emergency planning and
training programs, and other safety programs for the University
community 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.Strategic Planning and
Implementation is a focus in the Division; the Strategic Planning
and Implementation Director leads and directs BFA division
strategic planning to ensure the plan supports the University's
strategic plan, oversees and supports the planning and
implementation of divisional initiatives and projects, and leads
the divisional communications, change management and performance
metrics efforts. (https://bfa.wwu.edu/bfa-strategic-planning
)Commitment to Western's MissionThe BFA Division supports Western's
mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and
faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state
and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and
inclusive achievement. BFA has embarked on a series of initiatives
to improve the way we work, particularly focusing on diversity,
equity and inclusion and employee engagement through our Strategic
Plan.We encourage applications from women, people of color, people
with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from
underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences
interested in this opportunity. About the Position The Vice
President for Business and Financial Affairs (VPBFA) oversees an
organization that includes all aspects of finance, business
services, human resources, capital planning and development,
facilities management, safety management, and public safety.--The
VPBFA provides leadership, oversight and stewardship for
University's financial resources, while ensuring absolute
institutional integrity on fiscal and human resource matters. The
VPBFA serves as a strategic advisor to the President and
University's executive leadership and recommends financial
objectives, policies and practices that ensure a sound financial
structure for the University.--The University seeks a strategic and
innovative leader with a broad experience in finance and
administration. The successful candidate will have a strong track
record in managing change in a dynamic environment, with superb
management and communication skills, sound business acumen, and
experience in building collaborations, with sensitivity to
promoting the success of Western's increasingly diverse employees.
The VPBFA must have the ability to adapt to Western culture that
values tradition, inclusion, service, and shared governance, while
being astute in challenging the status quo in service to the
educational mission and priorities of the institution.--Western
Washington University has a commitment to diversity and equity and
promotes an environment responsive to the diversity of groups
represented at Western. The Vice President must be able to
demonstrate a commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity and
equity.The Vice President serves as the institutional
representative on financial matters to the Western Board of
Trustees. In this regard, the VPBFA is involved in discussions
regarding tuition setting, financial health, resource allocation,
and approval of capital projects. The VPBFA serves as the primary
representative to the University's Finance, Audit and Enterprise
Risk Management Committee of the Western Board of Trustees.The Vice
President serves as a member of the President's Executive Team. As
an institutional leader, the VPBFA is an active participant in
shaping and advancing the priorities of the University, including
being a significant contributor to promoting diversity, equity and
inclusion goals across the institution. The VPBFA works
collaboratively with the executive leadership team on institutional
matters, including but not limited to, Enrollment Management,
Auxiliary Services, the Western Foundation, and union contracts
(faculty and classified staff).The VPBFA represents the University
at the state level in activities including appropriate committees
of the Council of Presidents and other organizations of importance
to the University and higher education.Additional specific
responsibilities of the position include:
- Provide a broad and compelling vision for the Division of
Business and Financial Affairs
- Provide effective leadership to create and sustain an
environment of respect, transparency, service excellence,
effectiveness and collaboration within the Division
- Enhance BFA's commitment to contributing to a diverse and
multicultural university, and to enhancing employees' multicultural
competency skills
- Provide executive management with advice on risks and financial
implications of decisions, the costs and tradeoffs of strategic
priorities, and options for funding strategies
- Ensure effective strategies to address security and safety,
emergency planning and risk management
- Ensure that effective accounting controls are in place
- Negotiate major contracts for the university and review and
execute existing contracts
- Engage effectively with the University's commitment to
sustainable operations
- Engage collaboratively with local and state authorities on
issues related to capital planning and development, transportation
and safety, and with other partners in the community and region on
matters of mutual importance
- Describe responsibilities with the WWU FoundationThe Vice
President position reports to and serves at the pleasure of the
President. The position is a full-time, 12-month administrative
position with an excellent benefits package. Salary is competitive
and commensurate with experience. Required Qualifications
- At least ten years of progressively responsible financial and
administrative leadership experience
- Bachelor's degree, with a preference for an advanced
degree
- Demonstrated experience in financial, capital and budget
planning within a large, complex organization with some knowledge
of the educational environment
- Understanding of the higher education culture and
environment
- Superb written and oral communication skills that are both
respectful of diverse viewpoints and can inspire stakeholders both
inside and outside the Division of BFA
- Experience in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion;
demonstrated leadership skills, ability and commitment necessary to
cultivate work environments that are equitable and inclusive of
employees with diverse cultural backgrounds and social
identities
- Leadership skills to develop and sustain a high-performance
team, including establishing and executing goals and priorities,
and developing internal and external collaborations and
partnerships
- High degree of integrity and trustworthiness Preferred
Qualifications
- Experience working in a large, complex organization within
higher education and an understanding of state and public
university system budget processes Salary Commensurate with
experience and qualifications Initial screening of applications
will begin immediately. Closing Date Notes The position is open
until filled and applications received by February 8, 2021 can be
assured full consideration. Western Washington University (WWU) is
an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to
assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women,
minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly
encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in
furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that
welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex
(including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age,
veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,
marital status or genetic information in its programs or
activities, including employment, admissions, and educational
programs. See WWU's Policy on--Ensuring Equal Opportunity and
Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation . Inquiries may be
directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance,
Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old
Main 345 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225;
360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay);--crtc@wwu.edu WWU
is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified
individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this
document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation,
please contact--Human Resources Disability Services , 360.650.3774
or 711 (Washington Relay). Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:
This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of
Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery
Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years
concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in
certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by
Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to
and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes
institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies
concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of
crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of
this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the
Office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services at
vpsa.office@wwu.edu . The report can be found at: Annual Security
and Fire Safety Report . All new employees must comply with the
immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as
required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before
beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be
conducted on all new hires. Job no: 498232
Advertised: 29 Dec 2020 07:00 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close:
Keywords: Western Washington University, Bellingham , Vice President, Business and Financial Affairs, Accounting, Auditing , Bellingham, Washington
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