What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sr. Associate Vice President - Financial Services position at Inside Higher Ed?
Job Summary
The Sr. Associate Vice President - Financial Services will serve as a strategic and tactical senior leader within the finance division of Lamar University and is responsible for the oversight and strategic direction of financial services operations. Reporting directly to the VP for Operations & Chief Financial Officer, this position plays a critical role in supporting the financial stability and sustainability of the institution by developing and implementing sound financial service strategies that align with the institution's mission, vision, and goals. This role requires a deep understanding of the regulatory environment within higher education and involves close collaboration with senior leadership and internal/external stakeholders to support decision-making and optimize financial services to the campus community.
Essential Job Functions
Minimum Qualifications
Key Competencies
Job Conditions: Duties are typically performed indoors within institutional facilities.
Pay Range: Commensurate
Special Note: We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.
Who We Are
Home to more than 17,000 students, Lamar University is among the fastest growing Texas colleges and universities. LU is a member of The Texas State University System, which is the first higher education system of Texas and maintains the lowest average tuition and fees of any university system in Texas. With more than 120-degree options and a community that cares, Lamar students are always proud to be Cardinals. Lamar University strives to educate leaders, demonstrate excellence in student learning and career readiness, and pursue research with relevance.
Lamar University is committed to fostering an environment of teamwork where all students, faculty, and staff can learn, work, and become a part of our community.
Lamar University is An Equal Opportunity Employer
Lamar University is proud to provide employment preference to veteran applicants in accordance with Texas 805 Government Code, Section 657.003.
This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code
The Sr. Associate Vice President - Financial Services will serve as a strategic and tactical senior leader within the finance division of Lamar University and is responsible for the oversight and strategic direction of financial services operations. Reporting directly to the VP for Operations & Chief Financial Officer, this position plays a critical role in supporting the financial stability and sustainability of the institution by developing and implementing sound financial service strategies that align with the institution's mission, vision, and goals. This role requires a deep understanding of the regulatory environment within higher education and involves close collaboration with senior leadership and internal/external stakeholders to support decision-making and optimize financial services to the campus community.
Essential Job Functions
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight of daily financial service operations including procurement, payment services, payroll, contracts, treasury, financial reporting, and travel. Ensure timely completion and submission of deliverables to internal and external stakeholders in accordance with established deadlines.
- Participates in and supports shared business services initiatives by providing strategic guidance, monitoring operational impacts, and assisting in the alignment and coordination of resources to support institutional and system objectives.
- Maintain and continuously review administrative policies and procedures to ensure full compliance, operational effectiveness, and high quality service delivery.
- Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership by providing operational and process assessments, forecasting analyses, variance analyses, and other data-informed recommendations to support institutional planning and resource allocation in alignment with the institutions overall strategic plan.
- Foster a team dynamic of customer service, innovation, continuous improvement, and collaboration within the financial services unit to develop a high-performing financial services team.
- Monitor and assess financial service operations risks and opportunities, and implement strategies as needed for risk mitigation and process optimization.
- Other duties as assigned by the VP for Operations & Chief Financial Officer.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration or field closely related to the position summary and essential job functions.
- 5-7 years progressively increasing responsibility in financial management within a complex organizational setting.
- Master’s Degree in business administration or field closely related to the position summary and essential job functions and 8 years progressively increasing responsibility and experience in financial management within higher education.
Key Competencies
- Strong ability to guide financial services units within an institution, ensuring alignment with overall strategic goals.
- Deep knowledge of and adherence to policies and procedures set by regulatory entities, including federal, state, institutional policies, and the Texas State University System.
- Experience in identifying and mitigating financial and operational risks across the institution.
- Ability to work effectively with other senior leaders, academic departments, and external partners to achieve institutional goals.
- Expertise in leveraging financial management systems and technology platforms to enhance financial service operations and generation of actionable insights.
Job Conditions: Duties are typically performed indoors within institutional facilities.
Pay Range: Commensurate
Special Note: We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.
Who We Are
Home to more than 17,000 students, Lamar University is among the fastest growing Texas colleges and universities. LU is a member of The Texas State University System, which is the first higher education system of Texas and maintains the lowest average tuition and fees of any university system in Texas. With more than 120-degree options and a community that cares, Lamar students are always proud to be Cardinals. Lamar University strives to educate leaders, demonstrate excellence in student learning and career readiness, and pursue research with relevance.
Lamar University is committed to fostering an environment of teamwork where all students, faculty, and staff can learn, work, and become a part of our community.
Lamar University is An Equal Opportunity Employer
Lamar University is proud to provide employment preference to veteran applicants in accordance with Texas 805 Government Code, Section 657.003.
This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code
- 51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.