Oregon State University (OSU), a premier public R1 research and land grant institution, seeks a seasoned and strategic Deputy Chief Financial Officer to help lead and modernize the university's financial enterprise in support of ambitious academic, research, and growth goals.
Reporting to the Vice President for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer (CFO) , the Deputy CFO is a senior leader with broad authority across the university's core financial operations. This role is both strategic and operational, translating institutional priorities into sustainable financial plans, strengthening stewardship and compliance, and building modern, data-informed systems that support decision-making across the institution.
The Deputy CFO provides integrated oversight of budgeting and resource planning, treasury and debt management, procurement and payment services, accounting and financial reporting, capital finance, and financial business services for academic and administrative units. In close partnership with the CFO and university leadership, this position guides multi-year financial strategy, advises on capital planning and investments, evaluates complex financial transactions, and helps set policies that affect every college, division, and auxiliary enterprise.
This leader represents the university with state agencies, auditors, rating agencies, and financial institutions, while also serving as a trusted advisor to executive leaders and governing bodies. Success in the role requires balancing strategic vision with disciplined risk management, strong internal controls, and a deep commitment to transparency and public accountability.
A major focus of the position is continuous improvement and modernization. The Deputy CFO leads efforts to strengthen financial systems, data governance, automation, and analytics so that planning and resource allocation are faster, clearer, and more aligned with institutional priorities. The role partners closely with academic and administrative leaders to design sustainable financial models for new programs, research initiatives, and campus expansion.
Equally important is leadership of people and culture. The Deputy CFO develops and mentors high-performing teams, promotes collaboration across units, and advances equitable and inclusive practices in budgeting and procurement, including support for supplier diversity. The role sets expectations for service, integrity, and shared accountability throughout the financial organization.
The ideal candidate is an experienced finance executive with at least a decade of senior leadership in a large, complex public or nonprofit organization. They bring deep knowledge of budgeting, treasury, accounting, and procurement, a track record of leading enterprise-wide change, and the ability to build trust with diverse stakeholders, from governing boards to frontline staff. An advanced degree in a related field is required, with experience in a public research university and familiarity with state funding and regulatory environments strongly preferred.
For a full list of responsibilities and qualifications, please view the full position description .
About OSU And Corvallis
OSU serves more than 35,000 students across two campuses, a robust online division, and Extension offices in all 36 Oregon counties. As one of only three land, sea, space, and sun grant universities in the nation, OSU is renowned for its research excellence, community impact, and commitment to sustainability. Major institutional initiatives-including the Administrative Modernization Program and the 2026 opening of the Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex-position OSU for significant growth and innovation.
Nestled in Oregon's Willamette Valley , Corvallis is a welcoming, vibrant, and sustainability-minded college town known for outdoor recreation, creativity, and quality of life. The city offers easy access to Portland, the Oregon Coast, and the extraordinary landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.
To Apply
Katie Dean , Partner, and Thomas Lapierre , Senior Associate, are leading the search. Confidential inquiries, applications, and nominations should be submitted by email to Thomas at thomas.lapierre@opuspartners.net . To be considered by OSU's search committee, candidates must provide a resume and a letter of introduction that addresses the specific responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications described above. Please consult Opus Partners for more information about the application process.
The expected hiring range for this position is $300,000-$325,000. This range considers the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
For more information on OSU's benefits, please visit https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits .
