Vice President of Finance and Administration

The Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA) serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Gardner-Webb University, reports directly to the President, and is a member of the President's Cabinet. The VPFA provides strategic leadership and oversight of the University's financial operations and designated administrative functions, ensuring responsible stewardship of institutional resources and supporting the University's mission, strategic priorities, and long-term financial sustainability.

As a strategic advisor to the President and institutional leadership, the VPFA is responsible for financial planning, budgeting, accounting, reporting, compliance, and long-range financial forecasting. The position also provides executive leadership for Human Resources, Technology Services, and designated administrative operations and contractual partnerships. The successful candidate must demonstrate strong financial acumen, sound judgment, collaborative leadership, and an understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing private higher education.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Leadership, Management, and Stewardship

Provide executive leadership and oversight of the University's financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, accounts payable, payroll, student accounts, financial reporting, and related financial functions.

Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of the University's annual operating budget in collaboration with the President, Cabinet, and institutional leadership.

Ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial records and reporting while maintaining effective financial policies, internal controls, regulatory compliance, and responsible stewardship of institutional resources.

Oversee cash flow management, banking relationships, debt obligations, liquidity, and other institutional financial commitments.

Provide oversight of endowment accounting, investment-related financial reporting, and endowment distribution planning in coordination with appropriate Board committees, University Advancement, and external investment advisors.

Coordinate the University's annual financial audit and other required financial examinations, ensuring timely completion and appropriate follow-up.

Strategic Financial Planning, Forecasting, and Sustainability

Develop and implement financial strategies that strengthen the University's long-term financial position and support its mission, strategic plan, and institutional priorities.

Develop, maintain, and routinely update a rolling three- to five-year institutional financial forecast incorporating enrollment projections, tuition revenue, institutional financial aid and discount rates, personnel expenses, operating costs, capital needs, endowment distributions, debt obligations, and other significant financial factors.

Collaborate with institutional leadership to evaluate the financial feasibility and sustainability of academic programs, enrollment initiatives, staffing structures, capital investments, and other strategic opportunities.

Monitor financial performance indicators, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and recommend strategies for revenue enhancement, cost management, resource allocation, and institutional sustainability.

Provide timely financial projections, scenario analyses, and actionable recommendations to support presidential and institutional decision-making.

Capital Planning and Financial Analysis

Collaborate with the President and appropriate institutional leadership in developing short- and long-term capital budgets and capital improvement plans.

Maintain and analyze financial data related to physical assets, including age of plant, depreciation, deferred maintenance, facility condition assessments, and capital renewal needs.

Evaluate the financial implications and affordability of capital projects, infrastructure improvements, and major equipment investments, including potential funding through operating resources, reserves, philanthropy, or debt financing.

Coordinate with campus operations leadership to ensure capital planning reflects institutional priorities, operational needs, and available financial resources.

Direct supervision and operational management of Plant Operations and facilities are not responsibilities of this position at this time.

Federal Grants, Restricted Funds, and Financial Compliance

Provide executive oversight of the financial administration of federal grants and externally restricted funds, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, grant agreements, and institutional policies.

Ensure accurate expenditure tracking, account reconciliation, financial reporting, and timely financial closeout of awarded grants and restricted funds.

Establish appropriate internal controls and coordinate financial documentation for grant-related audits, reviews, and compliance examinations.

Collaborate with principal investigators, grant administrators, and institutional leadership to manage grant-related financial obligations, matching requirements, and ongoing institutional commitments.

Human Resources and Technology Leadership

Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight of Human Resources and Technology Services, ensuring both functions support institutional effectiveness, operational excellence, and the University's mission and strategic priorities.

Partner with Human Resources leadership to guide institutional workforce planning, compensation and benefits strategies, employee relations, talent acquisition and retention, professional development, and compliance with employment laws and institutional policies.

Support the development and implementation of human resource policies, practices, and initiatives that promote organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, accountability, and a positive workplace culture.

Partner with Technology Services leadership to establish and advance institutional technology strategy, including enterprise systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity, data governance, technology investments, and long-term technology planning.

Ensure technology initiatives support academic and administrative operations, institutional security, business continuity, operational efficiency, and the effective use of institutional resources.

Provide leadership, guidance, and accountability for departmental directors, fostering collaboration, innovation, service excellence, and continuous improvement.

Administrative Operations and Contractual Partnerships

Provide executive oversight of the University Campus Shop, Campus Post Office, motor vehicle fleet, and institutional camp operations and management.

Oversee the University's dining services contractual partnership with Aramark, ensuring effective contract administration, financial accountability, service quality, and alignment with institutional expectations.

Establish appropriate operational and financial accountability for assigned administrative functions, including budget management, vendor relationships, service delivery, and compliance with applicable policies and regulations.

Identify opportunities to improve administrative efficiency, strengthen contractual partnerships, and enhance services to the University community.

Institutional Leadership and Collaboration

Serve as a member of the President's Cabinet, contributing to institutional strategic planning, policy development, and executive decision-making.

Serve as the principal financial advisor to the President, providing sound financial counsel and recommendations on matters affecting institutional operations and long-term sustainability.

Work closely with the Board of Trustees and appropriate Board committees, particularly those responsible for finance, investments, and institutional resources.

Present financial reports, forecasts, budget recommendations, and strategic analyses in a clear and understandable manner to audiences with varying levels of financial expertise.

Collaborate across institutional divisions to align financial and administrative decisions with academic, enrollment, operational, and strategic priorities.

Model ethical leadership, accountability, collaboration, and a commitment to advancing Gardner-Webb University's Christian mission, institutional values, and student success.

Required Qualifications

Master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, higher education administration, or a closely related field.

Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in financial management, including substantial leadership responsibility for budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, and organizational financial planning.

Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the higher education landscape, including institutional financial models, enrollment and tuition revenue dynamics, financial aid, regulatory requirements, and the financial challenges facing private colleges and universities.

Demonstrated experience with federal grant financial management, compliance, reporting, and reconciliation.

Demonstrated ability to develop multiyear financial projections, financial models, and long-range financial strategies.

Strong understanding of financial accounting principles, internal controls, audit processes, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance.

Demonstrated ability to provide executive leadership and strategic oversight of administrative functions, including Human Resources and Technology Services.

Strong analytical, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with executive leadership, governing boards, faculty, and staff.

Demonstrated commitment to ethical leadership, financial transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship.

Commitment to supporting the Christian mission and values of Gardner-Webb University.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation or comparable professional financial credential.
• Senior-level financial leadership experience within higher education, particularly at a private, nonprofit college or university.
• Experience with endowment management, institutional investments, debt financing, and capital planning.
• Experience providing financial and administrative leadership within a complex organization with multiple operating divisions and funding sources.
• Experience working directly with a governing board and its finance or investment committees.
• Demonstrated success in developing financial strategies that strengthen organizational sustainability and support strategic growth.

Competitive Benefits

• Retirement matching
• Tuition remission
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Short term/long term disability
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid sick leave
• 17 paid holidays

Wellness opportunities

On-campus health center

Gardner-Webb University is a Christian university committed to helping individuals become more in faith, learning, and service. Located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, GWU offers the benefits of a close-knit community with easy access to Charlotte, Asheville, and the greater Greenville-Spartanburg region. Founded in 1905 and rooted in the Baptist tradition, the University now serves approximately 3,000 students across more than 80 undergraduate and graduate programs. As a Carnegie Doctoral/Professional institution, Gardner-Webb is dedicated to academic excellence, leadership development, and meaningful service to others.

Our community reflects a shared commitment to One Webb, creating an environment where people support one another, pursue their purpose, and work together to make a lasting impact. GWU attracts students from across the nation and around the world and competes in NCAA Division I athletics with 22 teams and more than 500 student-athletes.