Assistant Vice President, Finance Operations and Strategy

Office Of The Budget, Rose Hill, Lincoln Center

Fordham University

Fordham University has an excellent reputation as a dynamic institution located in New York City.  Founded in 1841, Fordham enrolls more than 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students in its 9 Colleges and Schools. 

• Fordham University offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to its employees, which includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• We offer tuition remission for employees and their dependents 
• A generous employer match towards a 403(b) retirement plan.
• As a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), Fordham is considered a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, a federal program designed to forgive student loan debt for employees of certain public and certain nonprofit employers.
• As part of its work-life balance program, the University provides generous PTO including 15 vacation days, 12 sick days, 4 personal days, 6 summer Fridays, and holidays that include paid time off between Christmas and New year.  
• University employees have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP provides no-cost, professional, and confidential services, to help employees and family members address a variety of personal, family, life, and work-related issues.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice President for Finance and Assistant Treasurer, the Assistant Vice President (AVP), Finance Operations and Strategy is responsible for leading the Finance Department’s strategic operations, program management office (PMO) for cross-functional projects, and overseeing communications related to finance efforts, including budgeting, resource allocation, and financial performance.

This role plays a key leadership position within the finance team, focusing on ensuring operational efficiency, aligning finance strategy with institutional goals, and supporting cross-departmental collaboration. The AVP will also manage day-to-day operations within the Finance Office, ensuring streamlined workflows, timely decision-making, and effective communications on finance-related matters.

Essential Functions        

Finance Department Operations and Strategy

• Oversees the operations of the Finance Office to ensure efficient and effective functioning of all areas (e.g., accounting, budget management, financial reporting).
• Supports the development and execution of finance strategies aligned with the institution’s mission, ensuring financial resources are utilized optimally to support academic, research, and administrative priorities.
• Monitors the execution of strategic finance initiatives and collaborates with senior leadership to implement performance metrics that drive financial performance and accountability.

Program Management

• Oversees a portfolio of finance projects, including budgeting cycles, capital planning, financial system enhancements, and process optimization initiatives, with a focus on interdepartmental collaboration and project alignment.
• Defines, establishes, and manages project governance, including project scope, timelines, resources, and risk management.
• Develops project management methodologies, best practices, and tools for managing cross-functional finance projects, ensuring consistency and quality across initiatives.

Communications

• Leads the communications strategy for finance-related efforts, including budget planning, resource allocation, and financial performance updates.
• Works closely with senior leadership to develop clear, concise, and accessible communications regarding financial decisions, budget status, forecasts, and financial policies to both internal stakeholders (faculty, staff, and administrators) and external stakeholders (donors, auditors, etc.).
• Oversees the preparation and presentation of finance reports, dashboards, and presentations for key stakeholders and manages internal communications related to financial processes, translating complex data into actionable insights and ensuring clarity and transparency.

Operations Management

• Oversees financial operations such as budgeting, financial reporting, accounting processes, and compliance with regulatory and internal financial policies.
• Establishes and monitors performance metrics to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of finance operations and identify opportunities for improvement.

Essential Functions Note

This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list.

The University may assign additional related duties as necessary.

Management Responsibilities  

Provides strategic leadership and supervises others who supervise. Responsible for hiring, training, developing, managing performance, administering corrective action, makes compensation decisions and for managing strategic views at a high level.

Required Qualifications: Education and Experience        

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in finance, operations management, and strategic planning, with a strong background in program management and cross-functional collaboration.

Required Qualifications: Knowledge and Skills     

• Proven ability to think strategically, anticipate financial challenges and opportunities, develop adaptable strategies, and guide the institution towards sustainable growth.
• Strong analytical abilities in interpreting and managing financial data, assessing financial performance and creating comprehensive reports and presentations, coupled with proven experience in financial reporting, budgeting processes, and strategic financial planning
• Strong leadership skills with proven experience in strategic thinking, developing and executing financial plans, driving operational excellence through process improvement, and leading cross-functional projects and teams.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to distill complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for both financial and non-financial stakeholders.
• Experience in program management, including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring successful delivery within timelines and budget.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, along with familiarity with financial management software (e.g., Banner) and the broader Microsoft Office Suite.
• Successful candidates should have a knowledge of and commitment to the goals of Jesuit Education

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field is required.
• Knowledge of project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, MS Project)
• Experience in higher education or similarly complex organization.

Minimum Starting Salary: $200,000

Maximum Starting Salary: $225,000

Note: Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and skills.

START DATE: ASAP

APPLY HERE: https://careers.fordham.edu/postings/9341

ABOUT FORDHAM

Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering an exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to more than 16,000 students in its 9 colleges and schools.  It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in West Harrison, N.Y., the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre in the United Kingdom. 

Fordham University is committed to excellence through diversity and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds.

Fordham is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories