Senior Director for Debt Management & Ratings

Job Description

Reporting to the AVP for Treasury Operations & University Bursar (AVPTO&UB) the Senior Director for Debt Management & Ratings (SD for DM&R) directs and oversees the ongoing management of the universitys debt and lending programs while identifying and managing applicable financial risks for the university. This position serves as a member of the senior leadership team for the Treasury coordination with leaders from the Office of Budget & Financial Planning Capital Budgeting and Financing and the Controllers Office the SD for DM&R determines the amount and timing of debt issuances needed to finance capital construction and other strategic projects along with target amounts for short-term financing of capital projects in accordance with university debt policies and Board of Visitors and/or Commonwealth of Virginia authorizations.

The SD for DM&R is the primary contact with the credit rating agencies covering the university as well as advising campus on the hedging of any commodity and other relevant exposures.

Further responsibilities include ensuring compliance with IRS regulations related to post-issuance monitoring of the usage of facilities financed with tax-exempt debt and providing oversight and coordination to ensure the timely payment of debt service administrative fees etc. for both short-term and long-term debt programs.

Primary responsibilities include:
In conjunction with the VPF&CFO AVPTO&UB and other members of the VPF leadership team develop strategic plans and updates to policies and procedures related to debt to enable continuous improvement of the universitys net financial position
Serves as the primary contact and coordinates authorized debt issuances with the appropriate state agencies such as Department of the Treasury the Virginia College Building Authority etc.
Directs and oversees the ongoing management of universitys debt and lending programs
Manages the universitys credit ratings and serves as the primary contact to both Moodys and S&P along with bond counsel banks underwriters and financial advisors as related to debt
Develops proposals to establish the universitys Internal Bank to include development of policies and procedures reporting and governance. The explicit goal of the Internal Bank is to provide campus equity borrowing flexibility and to generate unrestricted net assets for Virginia Tech
Liaises with the AVPTO&UB regarding short-term debt financing programs such as lines of credit for operating liquidity and the commercial paper program for temporary financing of capital projects with long-term debt authorizations
In conjunction with the VPF&CFO AVPTO&UB and other members of the VPF leadership team coordinates and manages ongoing reviews with consultants bankers and other advisors to assess the impact of planned debt and long-term lease obligations on the universitys debt rating and debt capacity limit and ensure compliance with university debt policy requirements
Ensures compliance with IRS regulations related to post-issuance monitoring of the usage of facilities financed with tax-exempt debt
Manages and coordinates the issuance of various financial reports detailing outstanding debt and debt capacity debt service amortization schedules etc. for university leadership and the Board of Visitors
In consultation with external advisors develops a hedging policy for the university that covers interest rate commodity energy and other similar risk exposures coordinates and oversees the policys implementation and monitors and maintains the resulting hedging portfolio (if any)

Required Qualifications

Masters degree in Finance Accounting Business Administration Economics Public Administration or a related field; or a Bachelors degree in one of these fields with significant relevant professional experience.
Extensive demonstrated experience in higher education finance or similar treasury role including public sector debt financing and interactions with credit rating agencies and state financing authorities.
Strong analytical strategic planning and financial risk management skills with the ability to develop policies and present complex financial information to executive leadership and governing boards.
Knowledge of tax-exempt financing debt compliance requirements and financial reporting.
Excellent written verbal and presentation skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities lead cross-functional initiatives and work effectively in a collaborative deadline-driven environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and financial reporting and analysis systems.

Preferred Qualifications

Professional certification such as CFA CPA or Certified Treasury Professional (CTP).
Experience establishing or managing internal lending/banking programs and developing financial risk management or hedging strategies.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience with a salary range of $170000-$180000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

August 31 2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its mottoUt Prosim(That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is aninclusive communitydedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges aschool of medicine aveterinary medicinecollegeGraduate School andHonors College.The university has a significant presence across Virginia including Blacksburg the greater Washington D.C. area the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke sites in Newport News and Richmond and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes.A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.