AVP Controller

Korn Ferry has partnered with our client on their search for VP Controller

Executive Summary

The University of Texas at Arlington seeks an experienced and innovative Associate Vice President for Financial Operations and Controller (AVP) during a pivotal period. As the University advances an ambitious strategic plan, UTA 2030, the AVP will be instrumental in supporting key strategic initiatives and operational excellence. As a key member of the finance leadership team, the AVP will provide strategic oversight for UTA’s core financial, transactional, and compliance functions. In doing so, the AVP will focus on modernizing operations, leading positive change, fostering team culture, and leveraging technology to improve overall efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery. In this highly visible role, the AVP will serve as a trusted advisor and collaborative partner to key internal and external stakeholders in helping further institutional goals and outcomes. Success in this role will be measured by effective financial stewardship, general operational oversight, strong collaboration, and excellent interpersonal skills.

Reporting to the Vice President of Business Finance and Chief Financial Officer, the AVP will be responsible for providing strategic oversight to all facets of financial operations including student financial services, accounting operations, financial reporting, payroll, grant accounting, and supply chain management. With a focus on strong controls and enhanced customer service for students, faculty, staff, and business partners, the AVP will be supported by an experienced team and well-established practices. With a strong foundation in place, the AVP will have the opportunity to advance modernization efforts aimed at accelerating infrastructure development and optimizing financial sustainability to support the University's overarching vision.

Successful candidates will bring significant senior-level leadership experience in financial operations, accounting, and/or related disciplines, with demonstrated success leading complex teams and enterprise-wide change management. The ideal candidate will also be an effective communicator who can translate strategy into operational execution and build strong partnerships across the institution. Candidate must possess deep knowledge of financial stewardship, internal controls, compliance, GAAP/GASB, and risk management coupled with the ability to champion automation, process improvement, and data-driven decision-making in a large, complex organization.

About the University

Located on a 420-acre campus in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro Area (population 8.4 million), The University of Texas at Arlington is a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work.

The University is committed to providing access and ensuring student success, and to a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization of discoveries by our community of scholars.

The University promotes lifelong learning through its academic, continuing education, and experiential learning programs. The faculty, staff, and student community share diverse cultural values that foster inclusivity and cultivate mutual respect. Founded in 1895 as a private liberal arts institution, UT Arlington today enrolls over 46,000 students and employs more than 5,000 faculty and staff. In addition to nurturing student success, UT Arlington is focused on making an impact through innovative research. The University’s research portfolio has seen significant growth over the past decade, with expenditures reaching $180 million in 2025. Faculty work in state-of-the-art facilities to make important breakthroughs in areas such as sustainable infrastructure, healthy aging, high-energy physics, cardiovascular disease, machine-learning systems, and more.

UTA’s combination of outstanding academics and innovative research contributed to the University’s Carnegie R-1 designation. By providing exceptional educational opportunities and addressing important societal challenges, UT Arlington enhances the quality of life in Texas and beyond.

About the Position

Reporting to the Vice President for Business Finance and Chief Financial Officer, the Associate Vice President for Financial Operations and Controller serves as the University’s chief steward of financial integrity while acting as a change leader responsible for transforming financial operations into a streamlined, data-enabled, customer-centric function. The AVP oversees core transactional, compliance, and financial execution functions and partners broadly across campus to deliver reliable service and strong controls.

The Division of Financial Operations is responsible for properly accounting for and managing institutional assets, ensuring accurate financial reporting, safeguarding compliance, and providing excellent service to campus constituents. Financial Operations represents the university’s primary transactional, compliance, and financial execution environment, supporting teaching, research, and public service through reliable, customer-focused financial services. The Division benefits from a strong foundation of core processes, controls, and service expectations, supported by experienced teams who partner closely with academic and administrative units. This foundation enables the organization to maintain day-to-day reliability while pursuing thoughtful improvements in efficiency, transparency, and the overall customer experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Executive leadership and change management: drive large-scale operational change; lead transformation focused on process simplification, standardization, and service excellence; build a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and professional development.
• Operational excellence and efficiency: ensure accurate, timely, and compliant execution; eliminate redundant/manual processes; redesign workflows to improve cycle time and quality; establish and monitor performance metrics and service expectations.
• Technology, automation and innovation: lead financial systems optimization, automation, and digital workflows (e.g., transactional automation, approvals/workflow redesign, self-service tools, data quality and integration improvements) in partnership with IT leadership.
• Financial integrity, compliance and risk management: ensure compliance with GAAP/GASB, UT System policies, and state/federal regulations; oversee annual financial reporting and required filings; liaise with auditors and regulators; maintain strong internal controls and proactively manage risk.
• Leadership and talent development: lead, mentor, and evaluate leaders across the portfolio; build
• succession plans and modern skill sets; promote cross-training, collaboration, and shared accountability across functional areas.
• Policy, governance and institutional collaboration: modernize financial policies and procedures; advise senior leaders on operational risks, compliance, and strategic improvements; represent UTA in UT System and external business operations forums as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in financial operations, accounting, or related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex organizations, large teams, and enterprise-level change initiatives.
• Strong executive communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to translate vision into operational execution.
• Possess the ability to explain complex financial concepts in simple and understandable terms.
• Exhibit keen strategic vision, keeping institutional core values at the forefront of decision-making.
• Provide excellent service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ascribe to the highest standards of honesty, quality, and integrity.
• Serve as a technical expert and advisor, especially regarding financial accounting and reporting matters.
• Be an engaged and committed leader who respects diversity in people, opinions, and experiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
• CPA or equivalent professional certification.
• Experience in a large, complex public university or research institution.
• Demonstrated success implementing financial system improvements, automation, or shared services models.

Procedure for Candidacy

The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately. For best consideration, please reach out to Jane McMahon, Managing Consultant, Korn Ferry at UTAController@kornferry.com.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is committed to providing equal employment and educational opportunities for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, disabilities, pregnancy, genetic information, and/or veteran status.

Retaliation against persons who oppose a discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for, assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating to discrimination is prohibited. See the University of Texas at Arlington’s Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

Campus Safety and Security

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report with policy statements, crime, and fire statistics is available online. A hard copy may be obtained by contacting the Office of Legal Affairs, University Administration Building, 701 S. Nedderman Drive, Arlington, TX 76019, 817-272-2141.

SE: 510804676