Vice President for Finance & AdministrationChief Financial Officer (MnSCU Admin-13)

All Job Postings will close at 12:01 a.m. CT on the specified Closing Date (if designated).

Working Title:

Institution:

Bargaining Unit / Union:

City:

FLSA:

Full Time / Part Time:

Employment Condition:

Salary Range:

Job Description

The Vice President for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer (VPFA/CFO) provides leadership to Winona State Universitys division of Finance and Administration. including oversight of the universitys Financial Facilities Human Resources Campus Safety Environmental Health and Safety and Emergency Management functions. Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the Presidents Cabinet the VPFA/CFO contributes business intelligence insight and expertise to the universitys executive leadership team. The VPFA/CFO is responsible for ensuring the fiscal and administrative integrity of the university.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Recommend and implement policies and strategies build relationships and provide expert management that will ensure the continued financial strength of the University. The VPFA/CFO has direct oversight of financial compliance issues and provides timely and accurate financial information on an on-going and as needed basis and prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

2. Administrative support of the Universitys mission and strategic plan; provide leadership in developing monitoring and communicating the Universitys plans for all buildings grounds and related operations. Provide administrative support for the University in a manner that consistently conforms to established statutes policies and procedures to ensure the productivity well-being and integrity of the University.

3. Directly and indirectly supervise the operations of the various units within Finance & Administration. Direct responsibility for Financial and Facilities Management which includes University Budget Office and Fiscal Planning Business Office University Investments and Scholarships Bookstore Facilities Planning and Construction Physical Plant; Environmental Health and Safety Risk Management and Insurance Human Resources Campus Safety Parking and Emergency Management.

4. Serve as a member of the Presidents Cabinet and Council of Administrators. Collaborate with other executive officers of the university and share responsibility for the daily management of the university. Serve on meet and confer teams across the various bargaining units. Lead or serve on various university committees.

5. Participate in university planning both long-range and short-term operational including: short- and long-term financial planning and analysis strategic direction for space planning updating and implementing the comprehensive facilities plan ensuring compliance with all audit related activities and developing and adopting best practices in administrative departments.

6. Collaborate with the President and Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs to develop a clear strategic hiring plan consistent with the universitys mission; align workforce planning and development with the Universitys priority of developing and supporting a strong culture of inquiry that supports collaborations values differences and promotes a culture of civility and mutual respect.

7. Collaborate with the President and Vice President of Student Life and the Vice President of Enrollment Management to develop a plan for generating and allocating resources for students and enrollment and retention efforts consistent with the educational mission of the university.

8. Collaborate with the President and the Vice President of University Advancement to develop a clear relationship between the University and the WSU Foundation on matters of financial and administrative support in the areas of scholarships joint facilities projects and other University support.

9. Represent the University at the Minnesota State Board of Trustees and System Office level on matters pertaining to finance facilities and administration; includes the system-wide development and evaluation of business and administrative policies and practices.

10. Interact with individuals institutions and businesses in Winona Rochester and the rest of the Universitys service region to ensure that the mission and mandates of the University are met.

11. Perform other duties as assigned by the President.

The Key Accountabilities of the VPFA/CFO include:

1. Effective and efficient operation of finance and administration departments.

2. Timely accurate and complete reports to all stakeholders.

3. Contributing member of the Presidents cabinet.

4. Support other units of the University through business and financial insights which will assist them in achieving their goals.

5. Support of the universitys strategic plan by providing measuring and maintaining adequate resources to accomplish the plan.

6. Development of financial and other reporting tools required to track and sustain the implementation of the universitys strategic plan.

7. Continued professional development by staying informed of educational financial and management trends.

8. Trusted advisor to the President on all matters related to the financial and administrative health of the institution.

Salary Range: $155453 - $248614; commensurate with qualifications and experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Masters degree from an accredited institution; accounting finance business administration or related lieu of a degree in accounting finance business administration or related field relevant experience in finance and operations in higher education may be considered.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a large complex organization. Professional experience in a combination of the following areas: financial management annual and strategic budgeting facilities management capital project planning human resource management and emergency management. Extensive experience in budgeting financial planning and modeling as well as institution-wide planning and analysis.
• Knowledge of governmental accounting and financial reporting standards under the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Ability to project a strong positive image of the University with parents students faculty staff and others including community and government leaders and the media.
• Excellent writing speaking and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively and collegially within a large complex university system and to negotiate with a wide range of constituencies including bargaining units.
• Demonstrated record of successful leadership while directing the efforts of professional staff.
  

Preferred Qualification

• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic vision in complex organizations.
• Demonstrated success in organizing resources and creative problem solving to advance organization initiatives.
• Experience working in higher education and effectiveness within a system of higher education.
• Experience with environmental health and safety campus safety operations and emergency management.
• Experience in human resource operations.
• Experience in negotiating contracts including real estate.
• Experience in capital project planning/bonding and external financial relations.
• Evidence of continuing professional education including remaining current on topics related to finance facilities and sustainability.
  

Other Requirements

1. Thesuccessfulcandidatemustbeabletolawfullyaccept employmentintheUnitedStatesby the day employment begins. The University regrets that we are unable to offer H1-B sponsorship at this time.

2. A complete online application will include the following:

• A cover letter that addresses the qualifications listed previously
• Current Curriculum Vitae / Resume
• Transcripts (undergraduate and graduate)
• A list of professional references with contact information
  

Posting Information:

Application Deadline: Applications received by January 20 2026 will be given priority consideration.

Appointment Date: June 2026

Primary Location: Winona MN

Type of Appointment: Administrator/At-Will

Telework (Yes/No) No

About Winona State University

Founded in 1858 Winona State University is a regional public university and the oldest member of the Minnesota State system. Offering more than 200 majors and programs Winona State has the #1 Student Success Rate in the Minnesota State System with 96.97 percent of WSU graduates being hired in a field related to their degree. U.S. News recognized Winona State as having top-ranking undergraduate programs in nursing engineering psychology business and computer science. With campuses in both Winona and Rochester Winona State offers the best of both worlds. Widely known for its stunning natural setting the Winona campus is nestled between picturesque bluffs and the Mississippi River - meaning rock climbing paddle-boarding hiking and kayaking are within a mile of campus. WSUs Rochester campus is located in Minnesotas third largest city - a dynamic hub for industry arts and culture and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. Winona State Universitys mission is to enhance the intellectual social cultural and economic vitality of the people and communities we serve: a community of learners improving our world. For more information visit .

Notice: In accordance with Minnesota State policy employees driving on university business who use a rental or state vehicle shall be required to conform to Minnesota States vehicle use criteria and consent to a motor vehicle records check. The Winona State University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available for your review. This report is required by federal law and contains policy statements and crime statistics for the University. The policy statements address the schools policies procedures and programs concerning safety and security. Three years worth of statistics are included for certain types of crimes that were reported to have occurred on-campus or in other University affiliated locations. This report is available online at You may also request a paper copy from University Security by emailing .

Winona State University is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race sex color creed religion age national origin disability protected veteran status marital status status with regard to public assistance sexual orientation gender identity gender expression or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer we actively seek and encourage applications from women minorities persons with disabilities and individuals with protected veteran status.

The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. A community of learners improving our world!

Benefits Information:

At Minnesota State we have a GREAT BENEFITS PACKAGE! Our generous benefits include 11 paid Holidays Vacation Time Sick Time six weeks of Paid Parental Leave low cost medical and dental insurance with low deductibles ($250 - $1500) a Pension Plan 457(b) and 403(b) retirement plans and other retirement investment options pre-tax medical and dental expense (with roll-over option) and dependent care accounts employer paid life insurance short and long term disability as well as professional development and a tuition waiver program for employees and their dependents etc. We promote the health and well-being of our employees and take work/life balance seriously.

Desired Start Date:

Position End Date:

Open Date:

Close Date:

Posting Contact Name:

Posting Contact Email: