Vice President - Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

Special Instructions to Candidates

Rice University has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist with this important search. Confidential applications, inquiries, and nominations should be directed to: 
https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/rice-university/vice-president-chief-financial-officer-and-treasurer

This posting is NOT accepting applications.  All confidential applications, inquires, and nominations should be directed to Isaccson, Miller. 

Position Summary

The Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer leads the Office of Budget and Finance. Guided by the University's vision for the future, the office upholds the financial integrity, transparency, and strategic allocation of resources. Through responsible stewardship of funds, the office supports academic excellence, drives research innovation, and fosters institutional growth, ensuring Rice's continued impact and leadership in higher education. The portfolio includes budget and fiscal analysis, capital planning and space management, the controller’s office, the office of risk management, and the office of treasury. 

Reporting to the Executive Vice President for Operations, Finance, and Support (EVP-OF&S) and sitting on the President’s Cabinet, the Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer (CFO) leads a broad portfolio spanning Capital Planning and Space Management, the Controller's Office, Budget Office, Office of Research Administration, Procurement, and Risk Management. 

As CFO and Treasurer, this leader holds fiduciary responsibility for an approximately $1.2 billion budget and serves as a strategic partner to the President, Provost, and Board of Trustees. The role requires the ability to translate complex financial realities into clear strategic choices, to steward responsible resource allocation in service of the University's strategic plan, and to champion an organizational culture defined by transparency, integrity, and continuous improvement. 

Job Duties 

Strategic Financial Leadership - 30%

Provides direct leadership over the Controller's Office (including Research Administration Post-Award Accounting), Treasurer's Office, Risk Management, Budget Office, Capital Planning and Space Management, and Procurement.

• Serves as a member of the President's Cabinet, contributing to institution-wide strategy, resource allocation, and policy decisions 
• Partners with the Operations, Finance, and Support leadership team to ensure seamless execution of shared goals 
• Partners with the Provost and the Provost's budget office on the budget model, annual budget process, five-year budget plan, and annual capital budget 
• Provides the Board of Trustees and its Finance Committee with clear financial analysis and proactive risk identification 
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with rating agencies, external auditors, and banking partners 
• Advises on capital structure strategy, debt financing, and major investment decisions in coordination with the endowment 
• Represents Rice's financial interests in federal relations and regulatory environments, particularly as they affect research funding and tax compliance 

Innovation, Technology, & AI Integration - 20%

• Champions the adoption of Al, automation, and advanced analytics across the organization - from intelligent financial reporting to automated compliance monitoring and predictive budget modeling 
• Partners with Technology Services & Support and the institution's emerging Al governance structure to identify, pilot, and scale financial technology solutions
• Partners with the Chief Data & Analytics Officer to build a data-informed finance function - establishing dashboards, model libraries, and reporting tools that increase transparency and empower decision-makers across campus
• Drives continuous process improvement, applying lean principles and technology to reduce manual effort, increase accuracy, and free staff capacity for higher-value work
• Ensures the organization leads the industry in adopting next-generation tools for ERP, financial planning, research administration, and procurement

Financial Operations & Stewardship - 20%

• Maintains accounting control over the University's financial accounts, including operating, endowment, research, auxiliary, and plant funds
• Oversees timely preparation of the University's annual financial statements and all external reporting requirements, including federal grant and contract reporting and the IPEDS Survey
• Directs cost accounting functions supporting the University's Facilities & Administrative rate calculations and negotiations
• Ensures robust internal controls, a strong audit posture, and compliance with state and federal tax law across all reporting entities
• Manages treasury functions, including cash positioning, short-term investment of operating funds, and debt covenant compliance
• Maintains appropriate governance over all the University’s financial data, and develops training and resources that promote transparency for units across campus

Enterprise Risk Management & Insurance - 10%

• Leads Rice's enterprise risk management function, maintaining a comprehensive framework that identifies, assesses, and monitors institutional risks across operational, financial, regulatory, reputational, and strategic dimensions
• Oversees the negotiation, procurement, and management of the University's institutional insurance portfolio, including property, liability, professional liability, workers' compensation, directors and officers, and specialized research and cyber coverage
• Leverages emerging risk analytics and Al-enabled monitoring to move Rice's risk posture from reactive to proactive and predictive

Organizational Leadership & Talent Development - 10%

• Leads, inspires, and develops a diverse, high-performing organization spanning multiple functional units, with supervision and mentorship that builds the team to the highest levels of performance and integrity
• Establishes culture of excellence, accountability, psychological safety, and genuine customer service
• Builds leadership capacity through structured development, coaching, mentorship, and succession planning
• Refines roles, procedures, and organizational structure so that policies, systems, and internal controls reflect industry best practices and support the University's strategic goals
• Sets clear performance expectations and holds staff accountable with compassion and consistency

Institutional Partnership & Communication - 10%

• Serves as a trusted advisor and resource to leaders throughout the University, and as a partner to cross-functional project and coordinating teams
• Designs and delivers financial education and literacy programs that equip non-financial leaders to make better decisions
• Communicates financial strategy and results clearly to diverse audiences - from Board presentations to faculty forums to staff town halls
• Leads or participates in University-wide task forces, working groups, and governance bodies

Qualifications and Characteristics

Leadership competencies

• Strategic agility: anticipates future trends and consequences accurately, creating competitive and breakthrough strategies.
• Change leader: ensures business changes are implemented and realized to their full potential through effective leadership and sponsorship.
• Collaborator: builds strong partnerships across the University, working with academic and administrative leaders to align financial strategy with institutional priorities and achieve shared goals.
• Strong manager: recruits, develops, and motivates a diverse professional staff, holding them accountable for accurate, timely results and excellent service.
• Effective communicator: communicates effectively at all levels, including the Board, and presents complex concepts and financial models to a broad range of audiences.
• Customer focus: dedicated to meeting the expectations of internal and external constituents; builds trust and lasting relationships.
• Intellectually inquisitive: knowledgeable about and open to leading-edge business practices that support the University more effectively and efficiently.
• Exceptional personal qualities: a reputation for integrity and the highest ethical standards; sound judgment; creativity in problem-solving; and a collegial style with a keen desire to be part of the community.

Minimum requirements

• Master's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or a related discipline from an accredited college or University
• Ten (10) or more years of progressive management experience in accounting, financial planning and analysis or budget management, and business operations
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-function financial organizations
• Proven track record of strategic financial planning, budget management, and financial reporting at an institutional scale
• Working knowledge of Al applications in financial operations, including automation, predictive analytics, and intelligent reporting
• Experience leading or contributing to major financial technology implementations (ERP, planning tools, procurement platforms, etc.)
• Experience presenting to and advising senior leadership, boards, or trustees

Preferred qualifications

• Financial leadership experience in higher education, academic medicine, or a complex research environment
• Experience with sponsored research financial management, including F&A rate negotiations and federal compliance
• Demonstrated success integrating auxiliary or revenue-generating operations into a financial management structure
• Experience in enterprise risk management, including institutional insurance negotiation and portfolio oversight

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits 
Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University 

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University's Human Resources Office via email at [email protected] for support. 

If you have any additional questions, please email us at [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.