Vice Chancellor for Finance, Operations, and Administration

Vice Chancellor for Finance, Operations, and Administration

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of Vice Chancellor for Finance, Operations, and Administration (Vice Chancellor).

Position Summary

The Vice Chancellor is a senior campus executive who provides strategic leadership in financial planning, stewardship, and sustainability; human resources; planning, design, construction, and operations of campus facilities and natural resources; and public health and safety. The Vice Chancellor serves as a member of the Chancellor’s Leadership Council, the Provost’s Leadership Council, the Chancellor’s Committee on Campus Planning and Design, the Enrollment Planning Policy Board, the Investigation Work Group, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and many other cabinet-level committees. The Vice Chancellor provides leadership for all major building committees in association with the project’s respective Dean or Vice Chancellor and divisional leadership. The Vice Chancellor will represent UC Davis in various systemwide committees and participates actively in the UC systemwide convening of campus Vice Chancellors of Finance and Administration. In addition, the Vice Chancellor represents and advocates for the Davis campus at the University of California system level and regularly interacts with local officials to ensure effective “town-gown” relationships. The Vice Chancellor also represents UC Davis at local, state and national events demonstrating excellence in finance, operation and administrative activities and building UC Davis’ reputation as a top public research university.

The Vice Chancellor is responsible for the oversight and coordination of financial planning and analysis between the Davis and Sacramento campuses of UC Davis. Thus, the Chief Financial Officer of the UC Davis Health System has a “dotted-line” reporting relationship to the Vice Chancellor. In addition, the Vice Chancellor provides leadership in overseeing the financial viability of UC Davis for both the Davis and Sacramento campuses, working closely with the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, the Vice Chancellor – Human Health Sciences, the Chief Financial Officer of the Health System and the Chief Executive Officer of the UC Davis Hospitals.

Qualifications and Characteristics

UC Davis seeks a Vice Chancellor with considerable administrative experience in a research university or comparable complex organization; an exceptional understanding of complex capital finance and planning matters; experience in the planning, delivery, maintenance, and operations of facilities, infrastructure, and grounds; experience with complex issues surrounding public safety; the ability to conceptualize broad institutional goals; the ability to systematically analyze complex issues and data; the ability to plan well; excellent speaking, writing, and interpersonal skills; a commitment to transparency and shared governance; and a deep understanding of organizational dynamics. UC Davis has a strong institutional commitment to values of diversity, equity and inclusion among its faculty, staff, and students and seeks an individual who shares that commitment.

For a full position profile and list of qualifications, please visit

https://www.spaexec.com/pd/UCDVCFOA.pdf 

Division of Finance, Operations, and Administration

Led by the Vice Chancellor for Finance, Operations, and Administration, the division has primary responsibility for the financial planning and analysis required in support of the UC Davis academic plan, strategic plan and the long-range development plan. The Vice Chancellor and staff assist the Chancellor, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, vice chancellors, vice provosts, academic deans, department chairs, and unit administrators with campus resource management and planning for a $5.8 billion annual operating budget and an extensive and complex capital budget. The division supports the campus’ strategic planning processes by providing objective, accurate, and timely analysis and advice on resource allocation for executive decision-making. The organization also determines priorities and assures day-to-day management of human resources, physical and financial resources and manages the long-term development and sustainability of campus-wide physical and natural resources, the development of a campus master plan and long-range development plan, management and operations of all facilities, and oversight of campus safety infrastructure. In addition, the organization oversees campus safety programs including Fire, Police, and Safety Services (EH&S, Risk Management, Employee Health and Fire Prevention). The Chief Financial Officer of UC Davis Health and the Director of Animal Care programs have dotted-line relationships to the Vice Chancellor. For additional information regarding the Division of Finance, Operations, and Administration, please visit https://foa.ucdavis.edu/.

University of California, Davis

Few institutions can match the comprehensive excellence of UC Davis. The campus is recognized for its superb accomplishments across its entire academic spectrum. There are two campuses associated with UC Davis: the main campus located in Northern California in the city of Davis, while the medical center, School of Medicine and the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing are located in Sacramento, California. As of Fall 2021, the Davis campus’ enrollment is 40,000 students, the annual operating budget is $5.8 billion and the 10-year capital plan exceeds $2.9 billion. In 2022, UC Davis will break ground on the first phase of Aggie Square, a transformational public-private partnership innovation project on the Sacramento campus. UC Davis and the City of Davis can boast of a strong “town-gown” relationship, having partnered through Healthy Davis Together to create a model for pandemic response and ensuring the health of their shared community.  

An ethos of partnership and service, in addition to its proximity to California’s state government, have made the University an invaluable resource for policy makers and state agencies and home to several state and federal research facilities, as well as a nationally-known performing arts center. Since its founding in 1908, UC Davis has grown from the University Farm of the University of California into the largest of the 10 University of California campuses and a powerful comprehensive research university with unparalleled disciplinary breadth over 10 schools and colleges. Known for its commitment to sustainability, exceptional academics, welcoming atmosphere, and being part of the world’s pre-eminent public university system, UC Davis is proud of its nationally-ranked resources and research used to tackle the most pressing issues facing the world today. UC Davis’ educators, clinicians and researchers include partners working in the nation’s best School of Veterinary Medicine, the nation’s best College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and one of the nation’s best Colleges of Biological Sciences and Colleges of Engineering – all from within one of the top five “Best Public Universities” in the entire United States. Combining its own advantages with the resources and prestige of the 10-campus University of California system, UC Davis is a community that provides exceptional support for world-changing research and education.

Application / Nomination Process

The Recruitment Advisory Committee will begin reviewing applications immediately. Applicants must submit a current resume and/or curriculum vitae, a letter of interest describing relevant experience, and a statement of contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Specifically, we invite candidates to discuss their past, present, and future contributions to promoting equity, inclusion, and diversity in their professional careers. Submission of materials via e-mail is strongly encouraged. Nomination letters should include the name and contact information of the nominee. All nominations and applications will be handled in confidence.
Applications and letters of nomination should be submitted by email to:

Alberto Pimentel, Managing Partner

Sal Venegas Jr., Principal

Email: apsearch@spaexec.com

Refer to code “UCD-VC-FOA” in the subject line

SP&A Executive Search

6512 Painter Avenue

Whittier, CA 90601

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.