Working Title

Vice President, Finance and Administration/CFO

Posting Number

NFE02982P

Department

USD-Financial Affairs

Physical Location of Position (City)

Vermillion

Posting Text

Vice President, Finance and Administration/CFO

The University of South Dakota is seeking a dynamic, strategic-minded and collaborative executive to serve as the next Vice President for Finance and Administration.

The Vice President for Finance & Administration (VPFA) serves as the university’s chief financial and administrative officer, providing strategic leadership, operational excellence, and mission‑aligned stewardship across core financial and administrative functions.

Key areas reporting to the VPFA include budget and finance, accounting, business office, internal auditing, risk management, auxiliary and enterprise services; post-award administration; facilities management and human resources.

Key Responsibilities:

Serves as the President’s chief advisor on financial, administrative, and operational strategy.
Provides executive leadership for finance and budget, auxiliary services, post award administration, facilities, human resources, and internal controls.
Drives long‑range financial planning, multi‑year budgeting, scenario modeling, and capital and space planning.
Aligns financial and administrative strategies with enrollment trends, academic priorities, research activity, and state funding dynamics.
Ensures strong financial controls, regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and high‑quality financial data governance.
Stewards safe, efficient, sustainable campus environments and advances energy management and operational efficiency.
Leads HR functions and promotes a people‑centered culture focused on engagement, growth, inclusion, and organizational effectiveness.
Ensures financial, HR, and facilities policies are transparent, equitable, compliant, and mission‑aligned.
Represents the university on the South Dakota Board of Regents Business Affairs Council and on system and legislative matters of importance to the university.
Builds strong partnerships with the USD Foundation, state and local agencies, and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will be a trusted, collaborative leader with uncompromising integrity and a proven record of guiding complex organizations. They possess extensive experience in financial strategy, budgeting and forecasting, internal controls, compliance, facilities management, human resources, and the oversight of diverse auxiliary operations.

Required Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, management, business administration, public administration or a related degree is required; a master’s degree or CPA is preferred.
A minimum of seven years of successful and progressive senior administrative leadership in finance and administration.
Demonstrated success in financial planning, budgeting, facilities oversight, HR leadership, and organizational management in a complex organizational setting.
Experience in higher education and/or public sector is preferred.

Posting Date

02/23/2026

Closing Date

Open Until Filled

Yes

First Consideration Date

03/09/2026

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with qualifications and education

Duration of the Term

12 months

If Other, describe duration

Appointment Percent

100

Work Hours

Typical Hours Worked Per Week

Appointment Type

Regular

Faculty Status

Scope of Search

External (includes Internal)

If internal, define scope of search

This position requires

Travel, Overnight stays, Weekends/Holidays

If other, please indicate

Department Description and Cultural Expectations

Founded in 1862 and the first university in the Dakotas, the University of South Dakota is the only public liberal arts university in the state, with 202 undergraduate and 93 graduate programs in the College of Arts & Sciences, School of Education, School of Law, Sanford School of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Beacom School of Business and College of Fine Arts. With an enrollment of nearly 10,000 students and nearly 400 faculty, USD has a 16:1 student/faculty ratio, and it ranks among the best in academics and affordability. USD’s 17 athletic programs compete at the NCAA Division I level.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

South Dakota Board of Regents Jobs

Vice President, Finance and Administration/CFO