Vice Chancellor for Finance, CFO

University of Colorado | Denver

Official Title: Vice Chancellor

Working Title: Vice Chancellor for Finance, Chief Financial Officer

FTE: Full-time

Salary Range: $283,047 - $327,000

Position #00781921 - Requisition #38795

About the University of Colorado - Denver
Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We're the state's premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top ranked bachelors, master's, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learners-at any stage of their life and career-for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state's largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $665 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu.

* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers *

The Vice Chancellor for Finance, Chief Financial Officer, has a critical role in developing and implementing effective fiscal management, budget, and financial planning strategies for the University of Colorado Denver, as well as providing oversight for the maintenance and development of its physical plant. The VC for Finance, CFO reports directly to CU Denver's Chancellor and is a member of the University of Colorado Denver Chancellor's executive team and Cabinet. In their close and collaborative work with other members of the leadership team and stakeholders across the institution and system, they will set direction for the University's deployment of resources to advance its mission and the Chancellor's strategic priorities.

The VC for Finance, CFO is responsible for a campus-wide enterprise of $388.7 million and facilitates financial strength and sustainability, operational effectiveness, and the delivery of optimized services by providing strategic vision and direct leadership for personnel in financial services and budget. This role will oversee the teams supporting finance, budget, financial services, and facilities on the Denver campus. The VC for Finance, CFO will also be responsible for overseeing the strategic allocation and provision of shared resources and services that support CU Denver students, faculty, and staff through the University of Colorado system, CU Anschutz Medical Campus, Auraria Higher Education Center, and the institutions on the Auraria Campus, including by maintaining close and constructive working relationships with their leadership.

Oversee the University budget, financial operating infrastructure, and long- and short-term financial strategies in order to ensure the University of Colorado Denver is able to effectively deliver its mission and produce results in alignment with strategic priorities.

Develop trust and a shared understanding of the University's financial condition and operations through open, transparent communications with stakeholders, including colleagues in executive leadership, leaders in the schools and colleges, administrative units, and shared governance to cultivate input, generate consensus on priorities, and deploy effective strategies to achieve them.

Support the implementation of the University's strategic priorities by helping to identify and leverage opportunities to generate new revenue and make decisions about strategic, long-term investments that will help to realize their fullest potential.

Assist in managing critical relationships with the University of Colorado system office, Board of Regents, and sister institutions such as the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, as well as Auraria Campus leaders at Metropolitan State University, Community College of Denver, and the Auraria Higher Education Center, particularly on financial matters. This includes overseeing CU Denver's financial investments in shared resources and services provided by various partners that deliver vital support to its students, faculty, and staff and ensuring appropriate delivery of these resources and services.

Provide leadership and strategic collaboration with Anschutz Medical Campus in overseeing shared operational units in Financial Services.

Oversee all capital projects and planning to ensure responsible stewardship of financial resources and alignment with the university's strategic plan and short- and long-term institutional objectives.

Represent the university in the 10-year master planning process for the Auraria campus and manage a 10-year master planning process for the University's assets on the north side of Speer Boulevard.

Contribute to the attainment of the University's strategic priorities by ensuring executives, leaders, and stakeholders across the university have the support needed to responsibly plan and execute current and proposed activities in alignment with budgetary and personnel requirements.

Partner with academic leaders to enable strategic financial planning for academic growth.

Monitor and report on the financial condition and physical plant of the University, including the preparation and accuracy of financial statements.

Build upon the existing financial acumen across the campus and customer service culture of units in the division, instilling a shared commitment to financial and organizational excellence based on contemporary best practices and leveraging efficient tools and systems.

Engage with shared governance groups (e.g., Faculty Assembly Budget Priorities Committee; Staff Council; Student Government Association) to communicate and develop financial literacy about the university's fiscal health and vision.

Ensure compliance with all University, State of Colorado, and federal rules, regulations, requirements, and laws, as well as professional accounting standards.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Advanced degree in business administration, public administration, accounting, finance or closely related field

Minimum of 10 years of finance experience in a complex organization

Minimum of 3 years leading and managing finance or budget teams

Experience with direct responsibility for strategic financial planning, budget development and implementation, and compliance oversight.

Seven years of experience in a senior leadership position or progressively responsible senior positions overseeing finance at an institution of higher education, preferably a public, research university.

Experience working within a complex, multi-institutional system.

Experience with budgeting and finance with the state of Colorado.

Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of budget development, internal controls and management, generally and specifically for public sector and higher education financial strategy and budget.

Ability to lead in a resource-constrained environment and identify new revenue streams.

Demonstrated ability to provide sound, ethical financial guidance to University leaders.

Skill in presenting complex concepts to audiences of diverse stakeholders possessing varying levels of knowledge and expertise in order to make concepts accessible and actionable to a broad cross-section of the University community.

Ability to develop and motivate high-performing teams and personnel that effectively collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders and constituents to create cross-campus impact.

Skill in decision making and problem solving.

High levels of emotional intelligence, political acumen, and integrity, as well as strong skills in negotiation.

Ability to pivot and move quickly in a dynamic environment.

Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Ability to advance the University's commitment to foster a culture of belonging and meaningful work as outlined in the strategic plan.

Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders within the university, as well as spanning multiple and complex organizations possessing varying levels of interdependencies.

Ability to navigate complex relationships within the city of Denver, state of Colorado, and the federal level.

Occasional work during the evening and/or weekends may be required.

The ability to sit for extended periods, stand and walk occasionally, reach with hands and arms, use hands to manipulate a keyboard and mouse, and have good near vision for computer work;often requiring minimal lifting, but may involve bending or reaching to retrieve items from shelves or drawers.

Examining and evaluating data. Presenting alternative actions in relation to the evaluation is frequently involved.

To combine or integrate data to discover facts and/or develop knowledge or creative concepts and/or interpretations.

Exchanging ideas, information, and opinions with others to formulate policies and programs and/or jointly arrive at decisions, conclusions, solutions, or solve disputes.

Dealing with individuals with a range of moods and behaviors in a tactful, congenial, personal manner so as not to alienate or antagonize them.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at workplaceengagement@ucdenver.edu .

Please be advised that this position is not eligible now or in the future for visa sponsorship.

The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $ $283,047 - $327,000.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Preference will be given to complete applications received by February 23, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

To apply, please visit: http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach:

A cover letter which specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications

A current CV/resume

List of three references (we will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references)

Questions should be directed to Tawnya Boulier, tawnya.boulier@ucdenver.edu

The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and productive educational, clinical, research and employment environment. All prospective employees and current employees must, therefore, consent to and pass background checks prior to any final appointment/employment.