Vice President of Finance and Deputy Chief Financial Officer (46494)

Job DetailsJob Location: San Francisco - San Francisco, CA 94105Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $275,000.00 - $310,000.00 Salary/yearGolden Gate University Position Description Position Title: Vice President of Finance and Deputy Chief Financial Officer Department: Finance and Administration Reports To: Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief Financial Officer Classification: Full-Time, Exempt Location: Remote, with periodic travel to San Francisco Salary Range: $275,000 - $310,000 annually, commensurate with experience About Golden Gate University Golden Gate University is a private, nonprofit university in San Francisco focused on AI and built for working adults. The University serves a diverse community of students across its academic programs and is committed to providing an accessible, high-quality education for working adults. Position Summary The Vice President of Finance and Deputy Chief Financial Officer is the senior-most finance leader below the Chief Financial Officer and serves as the operating leader of the University’s finance function. The position carries direct responsibility for accounting and financial reporting, budgeting and financial planning, treasury and cash management, and the day-to-day business operations that support students, faculty, and staff. The Vice President partners closely with the Chief Financial Officer on the University’s multi-year financial strategy, capital structure, and Board reporting, and is expected to act with the full authority of the Chief Financial Officer in his or her absence. The role is well suited to a candidate who is equally comfortable building a multi-year financial model, closing the books, and explaining the resulting picture to a dean, a lender, or a trustee. The position reports to the Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief Financial Officer and leads a team spanning accounting, financial planning and analysis, student accounts, and procurement. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Financial Planning, Budgeting, and Analysis Lead the annual operating and capital budget process, including calendar, guidance, unit-level submissions, and presentation of the recommended budget to senior leadership and the Board. Own the University’s multi-year financial plan and scenario models, translating enrollment, pricing, discounting, and program assumptions into net tuition revenue, margin, and cash outcomes. Produce monthly and quarterly management reporting that compares results to budget and forecast, explains variances in operating terms, and identifies corrective action early enough to matter. Partner with Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, and Marketing on program-level contribution analysis, pricing and discount strategy, and the business case for new and sunsetting programs. Support the design and administration of the University’s budget model and the allocation methodologies that connect unit performance to resources. Accounting, Controllership, and Financial Reporting Oversee all accounting operations, including the general ledger, monthly and year-end close, revenue recognition, grants and restricted funds, gift and endowment accounting, fixed assets, payroll accounting, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. Maintain a system of internal controls appropriate to the University’s size and risk profile, and lead management responses to internal audit and external audit findings through to closure. Oversee tax matters, including unrelated business income, sales and use tax, information reporting, and the accounting and tax treatment of the University’s subsidiaries and international operations. Drive continuous improvement of finance systems, the chart of accounts, and reporting infrastructure, including automation and AI-enabled workflows that reduce manual effort and shorten the close. Treasury, Debt, and Capital Manage cash and liquidity, including short-term forecasting, working capital management, banking relationships, credit facilities, and covenant compliance and reporting. Support the University’s capital structure and financing activity, including debt issuance and refinancing, lender and bond counsel coordination, continuing disclosure obligations, and rating agency materials and relationships. Coordinate endowment and investment reporting with the University’s investment advisors and the relevant Board committee, including spending policy calculations and donor-restricted fund compliance. Provide financial analysis for real estate, facilities, and technology investments, including lease-versus-buy analysis, total cost of ownership, and post-implementation review of results against the approved case. Business Operations Oversee student financial services, including tuition billing, payment plans, refunds, collections, and the reconciliation of student accounts with financial aid disbursements and Title IV requirements. Oversee procurement and contracting operations, including purchasing policy, vendor management, and coordination with the Office of the General Counsel on contract review and risk allocation. Develop and maintain financial policies and procedures, and deliver training that helps budget managers across the University understand and meet their stewardship responsibilities. Leadership and Governance Lead, develop, and hold accountable a distributed finance team, setting clear standards for accuracy, responsiveness, and service to the University community. Prepare materials for and present to the Finance, Audit, and Investment Committees of the Board of Trustees, and serve as a credible institutional voice with trustees, lenders, auditors, and regulators. Serve as acting Chief Financial Officer in the Chief Financial Officer’s absence, and represent the finance function on cross-functional institutional initiatives. QualificationsRequired Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a related field. Ten or more years of progressively responsible financial leadership experience, including direct responsibility for both accounting operations and budgeting or financial planning. Working command of U.S. GAAP for not-for-profit organizations and demonstrated experience owning or materially supporting an external audit. Demonstrated ability to build financial models and multi-year forecasts from source data, and to explain the assumptions and results to audiences without a finance background. Experience leading and developing a finance team, including hiring, performance management, and process redesign. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage competing priorities independently in a remote environment. Preferred CPA, MBA, or equivalent advanced credential. Experience in higher education finance, including net tuition revenue analysis, financial aid and Title IV interaction, budget model design, and Board committee reporting. Experience with tax-exempt debt, lender or rating agency relationships, and covenant compliance. Experience with enterprise finance and student information systems, and with automation or AI-enabled improvements to finance operations. Public accounting or advisory experience serving nonprofit or higher education clients. Supplemental Information To apply: Please go to http://www.ggu.edu/jobs to submit an application, letter of interest, and a resume. In applying for a position, candidates sign a consent authorizing a broader inquiry which may include reference checks, a motor vehicle check, and a third-party background check. Golden Gate University is an equal employment opportunity employer. We support inclusive excellence and are committed to creating a safe and welcoming community for all. University policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion/creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, gender stereotyping, and gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, taking a protected leave (e.g., family medical or pregnancy leave), or on any other basis protected by applicable laws. The University has a strong commitment to the principles of diversity and inclusion, and to maintaining working and learning environments that reinforces these practices. The University welcomes and encourages applications from all demographics.