Associate Vice Chancellor, Financial Affairs and Campus Controller

University of California, Santa Cruz

Associate Vice Chancellor, Financial Affairs and Campus Controller

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the intimacy of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. Since its founding in 1965, the University of California, Santa Cruz has earned international distinction as a university with high-impact research and an uncommon commitment to teaching and public service. A campus with world-class facilities and one of the most visually spectacular settings in higher education, UC Santa Cruz offers rigorous academic programs and cutting-edge research opportunities that teach students how to think, not what to think. A commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement are central to UCSC's core values. From 652 students in 1965, the campus has grown to enrollment of nearly 19,000 students. Undergraduates pursue bachelor's degrees in 65 different majors supervised by divisional deans of arts, engineering, humanities, physical & biological sciences, and social sciences. Graduate students work toward graduate certificates, master's degrees, or doctoral degrees in 41 academic programs under the supervision of the divisional and graduate deans.

University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites inquiries, nominations and applications for the position of Associate Vice Chancellor, Financial Affairs and Campus Controller (AVC Financial Affairs or AVC). The AVC Financial Affairs reports to the Vice Chancellor of Business and Administrative Services and is a key member of her senior leadership team which advances education, exploration and engagement by providing and maintaining high quality and efficient administrative, student development and physical infrastructure that supports the research, teaching, and public service mission of the campus.

The AVC Financial Affairs is responsible for developing, interpreting and implementing financial concepts for financial planning, resource planning and control of an organizational budget of $13.5 million, analysis and preparation of financial plans, including annual resource allocations, future requirements and operating forecasts. The AVC directs a team of approximately 100 FTEs through eight direct reports and multiple large and complex critical programs impacting broad constituencies across major portions of the organization. This leader identifies objectives, manages very significant human, financial and physical resources, and functions with an extremely high degree of autonomy. The AVC is accountable for formulating and administering policies and programs for major functions, and operational or program results can affect overall organization-wide performance and reputation. The AVC also leads the development of unit strategic goals and objectives to achieve accountability and stewardship of university resources in a manner consistent with systemwide objectives and initiatives.   

The AVC Financial Affairs leads the Campus Controller’s Office, Enterprise Financial Systems, Extramural Funds, Accounts Payable, Financial Accounting and Reporting, Payroll, Procurement & Supply Chain Services and Student Business Services.  He or she serves in the following UC roles: Campus Accounting Officer, Regents Financial Statement and Uniform Guidance (formerly OMB A-133) Audit Coordinator and UC Office of the Chief Investment Officer Campus Treasury Liaison.

A BA or BS degree in Accounting, Business Administration with an accounting emphasis, or equivalent is required. An advanced degree such as a master’s degree in Business Administration, or a CPA is preferred.

Qualifications include: expert knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, fund accounting and financial reporting; financial accountability and internal controls; cost accounting, budgeting and financial analysis; organizational leadership and management; working knowledge of: procurement and business contracting practices and standards; banking and treasury practice; tax regulations associated with nonprofit, higher education institutions; receivables management and loan collection practices; regulations related to the financial administration of federally-sponsored awards; federal student financial aid and lending regulations; business information technology systems, including project management; privacy and data protection laws, regulations and policies

Other Desired Qualifications and Leadership Characteristics:

  • Excellent stewardship of university resources in an innovative, efficient and high integrity manner.
  • High emotional intelligence, with superior ability to listen to and anticipate the needs of constituents and respond quickly to problems in the context of building constructive professional relationships.
  • Appreciation for and ability to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Superior ability to develop and implement long term plans to leverage resources and understand how these plans may be affected by future events
  • Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in the accounting and finance area, including managing a large and diverse staff.
  • Working knowledge of university and campus financial, business, budgetary and personnel policies and procedures.

Confidential review of applications, nominations and expressions of interest will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. To view the full position description, please email UC Santa Cruz’s Korn Ferry search consultants at UCSCAVCFinancialAffairs@kornferry.com.  To be ensured full consideration, please email a letter of interest and resume to the same address by January 11, 2019.