Engineering a world of possibilities
Reporting to the Executive Vice President for Finance, Administration, and Operations, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer, the Deputy Chief Financial Officer (Deputy CFO) provides leadership, strategic guidance and operational oversight for all financial, accounting, budget development, administration of research, cash and reserve management, financial analysis, and compliance and policy. In this capacity, the Deputy CFO will provide leadership of all financial and research operations, cash and reserves oversight, financial budgeting, analysis and modeling, and compliance and policy. The Deputy CFO will work to ensure that processes, procedures and systems are in place to effectively and efficiently manage the institution’s financial health and functions while supporting the University’s strategic plan through focused investment. In addition to internal stakeholders and peers, this position will forge and maintain productive relationships with other Colorado and national CFOs and other key stakeholders, the Colorado Department of Higher Education, and other related partners.
This is a part-time, term-limited, on-campus position.
Primary Areas Of Responsibility
Leadership
The Deputy Chief Financial Officer will work with university leaders, cultivating trust and a shared understanding of complex financial concepts, administrative processes and systems, while providing insight and recommendations regarding financial and research operations, capital projects, ongoing operations, and cost management. A key responsibility of this role will be to lead the finance, research, and compliance offices with ongoing collaboration and engagement with university academic and administrative leaders.
The Deputy CFO will also represent the institution externally, partnering closely with business and financial leaders to incorporate best practices in all areas reporting to the Deputy CFO, working with outside higher education research companies, relevant trade organizations, the State of Colorado on funding and compliance, and interfacing with other Colorado university partners.
The Deputy CFO will be looked upon for transparent, open communication regarding University finances and the underlying processes, procedures and systems in building relationships with faculty, staff, and student groups to gain insight into the financial and operational challenges faced by disparate departments and business units. The CFO will build consensus, helping the University navigate difficult conversations around priorities and constraints.
Building upon the University’s recent implementation of Workday, a new Finance, HR/Payroll system, the Deputy CFO will oversee to ensure the effectiveness of internal controls, enhance the business processes, assess the design of the system, oversee the development of financial reporting, and develop new tools and processes for financial and research business processes that will effectively support the University.
Financial and Research Operational Leadership
The Deputy CFO will lead financial and research operations, ensuring that key University business processes are streamlined, effective and efficient, stable, and mature. To achieve this, the Deputy CFO will lead dedicated teams of financial and research administrative professionals providing the support and modern tools required to enable their success.
The Deputy CFO will partner with academic and administrative departments to fully understand their day-to-day financial requirements, working to establish scalable funding models that allow them to fulfill their academic and administrative missions.
Financial Analysis, Modeling & Reporting
The Deputy CFO will work to enhance and mature financial models, developing new tools and processes for planning and analysis that will effectively support the University. Working with the CFO, the Deputy CFO will communicate internally and externally, conveying the present state of the University’s financial health, articulating any risks, challenges, or opportunities in an approachable manner, and tailoring messaging as needed to effectively communicate with diverse audiences. The Deputy CFO will contribute to both ongoing operational success and support the University’s strategic objectives, by ensuring that University stakeholders have the information needed to make informed decisions
Working with the CFO, the Deputy CFO will lead the University’s efforts to plan for a financially sustainable future through proactive, multiyear budgeting that balances the need for fiscal stability with thoughtful investment in strategic initiatives that support student, faculty, and staff success. In the capacity of oversight of the University’s budget processes, the Deputy CFO will work with teams to analyze available data, provide decision quality data to inform decision-making, and implement data-supported operational budget strategies.
Leadership over Compliance and Policy
The Deputy CFO will provide oversight to the university Compliance and Policy Office which has the responsibility to provide regulatory compliance support to further the education, research, and service missions of the university. Through leadership, the Deputy CFO will facilitate policy development and assisting the University constituents in finding, understanding, and applying University policies. The Deputy CFO will ensure that proper systems, processes, and procedures are in place to comply with federal, state, university, and other requirements.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university in accounting, finance, or business
- Master’s Degree in Accounting or a Master’s Degree in Business Administration
- Certified Public Accountant in the State of Colorado
- 15+ years of experience in accounting, financial and budget management
- 12+ years of experience leading teams
- Demonstrated experience managing complex annual operating budget of $250 million or greater
- 10+ years financial, research administration, budget, and compliance management experience in an institution of higher education
- 10+ years leading a successful multi-portfolio team.
- Excellent relationship building and collaboration skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience working with state and local government officials and agencies
- Experience working with External and Internal Auditors
- Experience with Workday or a higher education system such as Banner
- Prior experience working at Colorado School of Mines
Salary And Benefits
$240,000 - $275,000 (prorated)
Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:
- Flexible health and dental care options
- Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
- Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
- Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
- Free RTD Ecopass
All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the on-campus Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more), equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center, the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP), and backup child and elder care. Coming soon is an on-campus daycare center. For more information about benefits at Mines, go to mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.
How To Apply
Applicants must:
- Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, references, veteran status)
- Upload a resume or CV
- Upload a cover letter
References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.
Application review will begin July 13, 2026. This posting will close July 12, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Applications will not be received nor reviewed after that date.
Please note: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship now or in the future.
Successful Completion of a Background Investigation, Including a Credit Review, is Required for this Position.
Additional Information And Reasonable Accommodation Requests
It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at hr@mines.edu or 303.273.3250 for assistance.
Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.
Equal Opportunity
Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.
Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce.
Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.
Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting
