Associate Vice President of Financial Management and Controller

Summary

Position Title

Associate Vice President for Financial Management & Controller

Department

Finance & Administration

Status

Full Time/Exempt

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Vice President / Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Associate Vice President for Financial Management & Controller (AVP) will be responsible for oversight of all Jacksonville University accounting and financial operations and for maintaining a strong financial and internal control environment. This individual leads a team of four direct reports in the functions of Accounting, Financial Planning & Analysis, and Purchasing & General Services.  S/he will oversee accounting functions that include payroll processing, general accounting operations, accounts payable, internal and external financial reporting, and tax reporting. The position will also support treasury operations, the long-range financial plan, and the annual budget preparation process. The AVP will be involved in supporting the CFO in presentations to the Finance and Audit & Legal Affairs Committees of the Board of Trustees and will work closely with the University’s senior leadership team.  The AVP will provide high-quality service and solutions, engaging with all areas of the College in a transparent manner to strengthen the overall effectiveness of the College's financial operations and works to improve the dissemination and use of financial information.

Named an “America’s Best College” in the south for more than 10 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report, Jacksonville University is a premier private institution in northeast Florida. Founded in 1934, JU offers more than 100 majors, minors, and programs, including degrees in Business, Marine Science, Engineering, Physics, and Nursing, as well as those in the more contemporary and specialized fields of Aviation, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Film, Animation, and Sport Business.

Jacksonville University is currently undergoing significant growth in academic programs along with improved student retention and enrollment. The University just completed a historic capital campaign “Aspire” raising over $120 million dollars to fund continued growth.

Jacksonville University is located in a beautiful riverfront setting in suburban Jacksonville, across the St. Johns River from downtown and just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean. The 240-acre campus includes a half-mile of riverfront, oak-lined paths, and a mix of historic and new campus buildings.

Key Responsibilities

• Budget and Finance - The AVP supervises the Budget Director and actively participates in the formulation of long-term financial plans and financial modeling.
• Accounting and Financial Statements - The AVP supervises the Assistant Controller and participates in the creation of accounting records and journal entries during the monthly closing process, documents and monitors internal financial controls, and drafts GAAP financial statements.
• Investments and Treasury - The AVP works closely with the Board’s Finance Committee, as well as the third party investment advisor, to monitor investments in the University’s endowment portfolio. The AVP manages all aspects of outstanding debt and working capital balances.
• Purchasing and General Services – The AVP will oversee the Purchasing Director, who has responsibility for the areas of Purchasing, Property and Liability Insurance, Mailroom, and Copy Center.

Essential Duties

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Fiscal Operations and Office Management and Leadership

• Develops capacity of financial and business operations to continue to meet the needs of a growing campus in a high quality, customer-oriented, and cost effective manner.
• Formulates department goals and objectives, sets priorities and evaluates staff performance.
• Develops and controls budget for departments reporting to the AVP.
• Organizes staff to meet all campus fiscal demands, and assesses the level of service offered the campus community to maximize affordability and accountability through partnership and teamwork.
• Implements systems, procedures, processes and new approaches that continually promote and assure quality improvement.

University Revenue and Expenditure Control

Identify strategic opportunities to improve processes within the department and throughout the University, including involvement in establishing practices for new University initiatives.

Directs financial planning and analysis, and the budget preparation and review processes.  Develop, maintain, and analyze operating budget and financial projections.

Manages the reporting of financial information from all operations.

Responsible for investment management, cash management, and debt financing activities.  Establish and maintain relationships with the College's banking partners and other financial institutions

Works with Director of Capital Projects and Budget Director to develop the capital forecast and administer capital expenditures.

University Fiscal Integrity and Audit Compliance

• Ensure tax-exempt bond accounting and compliance.
• Monitor financial and internal controls including, but not limited to the timely performance, documentation and review of account reconciliations.
• Maintain the general ledger system and chart of accounts; assure that any accounting issues are promptly identified and resolved.
• Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all financial reporting; prepare the College's annual financial statements; meet other external reporting requirements; prepare or oversee the College's various tax filings (IRS Forms 990 and 990T; state reporting requirements; sales tax, employment taxes, etc.)
• Ensures that University financial policies and practices comply with all regulatory, legal, oversight bodies (accreditors, NCAA, etc.) and prudent business standards; monitors internal and external deadlines and requirements; acts as primary contact for tax issues.  Proactively and strategically communicate those developments and their projected impact on the College, while ensuring adequate enforcement.
• Develop and maintain private higher education business models and key operating metrics.
• Reviews the output of direct and indirect reports to ensure the quality and integrity of the financial data and ensure that all applicable reporting deadlines are met.
• Provides fiscal leadership to this reporting unit and oversight to the campus community for fiscal policy adherence.
• Acts as the point of contact for all audit activities within the University.
• Reviews all audit findings and implements corrective action as required.

University Fiscal Policy and Procedure Advisement and Development

• Participates as a member of various University committees, teams and work groups. Attends regular meetings of Financial Affairs management team and other groups, as required.
• Interprets laws and regulations to assist administrators at all levels in resolving fiscal problems.
• Provides fiscal consultation as requested.
• Facilitates communications through campus, system-wide and other various forums.

The Associate Vice President of Financial Management and Controller will also perform other job-related duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience

• 10+ years of progressively responsible accounting and finance experience in a complex private, non-profit, higher education organization that includes managing a professional staff.
• A Bachelor's degree is required. A Masters degree is preferred.
• Ability to manage people and processes as well as perform analysis and tasks independently as required.
• Keen analytic and organizational skills that allow for strategic data interpretation in addition to reporting.
• Strong problem solving skills with proactive approach to devising and implementing improvements to financial operations and reporting.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; experience in effectively communicating key data, including presentations to senior management, Board of Directors, and external partners; ability to translate complex financial concepts to individuals at all levels including finance and non-finance managers.
• Expertise with enterprise (ERP) systems, with a preference for previous experience with Ellucian’s Datatel-Colleague system.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift and carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds
• Must be able to bend, stoop, stand and reach
• Manual dexterity to efficiently operate a computer keyboard and other business machines
• Near vision sufficient to read written communications and computer display screens
• Adequate hearing and talking to communicate effectively in person and by phone

Important Note

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required for this position. The University reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs.

All Jacksonville University employees who work on campus must be vaccinated for COVID-19. Documentation will be requested during onboarding. Our full vaccination policy is available online.

Jacksonville University supports the principle of diversity. We encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Jacksonville University is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be evaluated for employment without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, religion, disability, protected veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other protected characteristics under applicable Florida and Federal laws.

How to Apply

Please send a letter of application, resume and completed JU employment application to AVPController@ju.edu.