Chief Financial Officer

Key Responsibilities

• Develops and executes short-term and long-term financial strategies that align with and advance the University’s mission, vision, and strategic objectives.
• Develops, maintains, and manages a rolling five-year budget for the University.
• Leads and oversees comprehensive financial forecasting and scenario modeling, providing data-driven insights for mission-aligned decision-making by University leadership.
• Implements and maintains a balanced scorecard of strategic indicators and financial ratios to measure the financial progress of the institution.
• The CFO ensures institutional financial transparency by developing, maintaining and presenting/making available appropriate financial reports, indicators, and forecasting models to appropriate audiences.
• Ensures that financial strength and stability plans are in place, regularly monitored, and followed by the entire university, along with individual units and communities (e.g., athletic teams, academic programs, academy communities, formal extracurriculars, outreach institutes), that are fully aligned with the University’s strategic plan and priorities.
• Provides thorough financial analysis of proposed initiatives, offering strategic recommendations to sustain financial strength while advancing institutional priorities.
• Maintains, manages, and reviews key performance indicators; aiding the President and other stakeholders in interpreting the indicators and using them to make wise and mission-aligned decisions.
• Guides the University in seizing opportunities and addressing challenges in alignment with its distinctly Lutheran Christian mission, vision, and shared Confession.
• Leads, manages, and develops a high-performing and Christ-centered team in finance/business services in ways that consistently reflect a biblical understanding of leadership, service to and love of neighbor, excellence and accuracy, kindness, humility, conflict resolution, and teamwork.
• Oversees the investment and management of the University’s and Foundation’s endowment.
• Works directly with the Provost, COO, Chief Advancement Officer, and other relevant leaders to maintain the financial strength and stability of all academic programs, athletic teams, extracurriculars, academic communities, and university institutes in a collaborative environment.
• Provides financial reports and fiscal reports as needed, in a timely manner.
• Identifies, implements, optimizes, and maintains financial systems (including financial technology) in ways that provide critical financial insights, ensure regulatory compliance, and support the University’s mission and strategic plan.
• Monitors a purchasing system to ensure accountability by appropriate program cost allocation and responsible purchasing.
• Develops and implements written policies and procedures to ensure adequate administration and controls for payroll, cash, receivables, purchasing, leases, and internal controls.
• Establishes and maintains appropriate working relationships with auditors, investors, vendors, and governing and compliance agencies.
• Oversees the university’s annual financial audit preparation and completion, ensuring university financial and accounting systems are in compliance with appropriate financial standards and laws.
• Ensures adherence to all applicable financial regulations and standards, incorporating biblical principles of stewardship and integrity.
• Leads the development and implementation of risk management strategies that provide financial resilience through proactive risk assessment, risk mitigation planning, and scenario-based forecasting to safeguard the university’s financial health amid changing economic and enrollment landscapes.
• Works closely with the Chief Advancement Officer to align financial planning with fundraising strategies, ensuring donor contributions are strategically allocated to advance the university’s mission and long-term sustainability.
• Serves as Treasurer of the Concordia Foundation, Inc.
• Provides leadership to the Board of Regents finance and audit, and investment committees.

Qualification & Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; MBA or Master’s in Finance preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in finance, with heavy emphasis in a senior-level leadership role.
• At least 5 years of proven leadership and management experience is preferred.
• Must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with staff at all levels of an organization.

Certifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification preferred; other relevant certifications considered.

Specialized Knowledge

• High level of expertise in economic and accounting policies and practices.
• A passion for and skills necessary to lead people and resources in a Christ-centered environment.
• Strong financial acumen with a strategic and mission-minded business mindset.
• Able to resolve problems with limited guidance and make well-informed decisions.

Proficiencies

• Strong proficiency in the use of Microsoft applications, budgeting and forecasting software.

Special Position Requirements

• Demonstrates commitment to the mission and shared confession of a distinctly Lutheran higher education institution of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
• Committed to modeling and leading in a way that reflects love and service to one’s neighbor, teamwork, mission-minded innovation, and excellence.
• Responsible for creating an environment and supporting the professional growth of team members in ways that reflect the mission, vision, and shared confession of the University.
• Demonstrates character qualities of joy, courtesy, flexibility, integrity, gratitude, kindness, self-control, perseverance, and punctuality.
• Able to lead a culture/team in a way that demonstrates a high level of emotional intelligence.
• Exemplifies professionalism, courtesy, and service-minded approach when interacting with students, families, faculty and staff, regents, foundation members, and the general public.

Work Conditions

• Normal interior office work. Occasional travel from various buildings on campus. Occasional off-site travel.

Benefits

No information available.