About Tarleton State University 

Established on September 4, 1899, Tarleton State University (Tarleton) offers the value of Texas A&M University System with its own brand of personal attention, individual opportunities, history, and community. With over 120 undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as a doctorate in education program, Tarleton’s eight academic colleges give all Texans the opportunity to achieve their career dreams. These academic colleges include Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business, Education, Graduate Studies, Health Sciences, Liberal and Fine Arts, Science and Mathematics, and The Mayfield College of Engineering. This high level of academic achievement is boosted by Tarleton’s student-to-faculty ratio of 23-to-1.

Under the leadership and direction of Tarleton’s 16th President, Dr. James Hurley, who was unanimously appointed in August 2019 by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, Tarleton has become one of the country’s fastest-growing comprehensive public universities. This trajectory has been made possible through the Tarleton Forward 2030: Our Future-Focused Strategic Plan. Dr. Hurley’s leadership has aided the elevation of Tarleton’s academics and research, increased enrollment to over 16,000 students during the 2023 academic year, increased retention rates to record levels, boosted the 6-year graduation rate to the top 25% in the nation, elevated fundraising, athletics, and national exposure, and made Tarleton one of the most affordable public universities in the state.

Job Description Summary

The Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as chief financial officer for the university. The CFO directs the university’s financial and administrative operations, including fiscal planning, budget development and control, accounting, purchasing, inventory, auxiliary enterprises, and related functions and administers the outsourced physical plant services. The CFO provides leadership for maintaining communication, compliance and effective working relationships between the university, The Texas A&M University System, and the local financial community. The position is responsible for all financial report preparation and dissemination and has oversight for all finance and administration division departments.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provides leadership and management for purchasing, inventory, budgeting, audit, tax, accounting, auxiliary enterprises, and insurance activities.
  • Administers the out-sourced physical plant services including contract administration and contract funding.
  • Provides leadership for strategic financial planning for the university including all appropriation request efforts through The Texas A&M University System, the legislature, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
  • Analyzes, consolidates, and directs all cost accounting procedures together with other statistical and routine reports.
  • Oversees University annual budget development.
  • Prepares University appropriation request biennially under the direction of the President.
  • Manages daily business operations of the University including coordination and interaction with the Office of the State Auditor, Legislative Budget Board Office, Texas Building and Procurement Commission, State Comptroller’s Office, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, System Internal Auditor, The Texas A&M University System Office of Budgets and Accounting, Treasury Services, Risk Management, and Facilities.
  • Provides statistical data and analysis to internal administrators and external agencies.
  • Prepares fiscal information for Board of Regents’ agenda materials and presentations.
  • General oversight for annual financial report prepared by Controller and accounting team.
  • Assists President with legislative testimony and contacts.
  • Oversees and directs the preparation and issuance of the University’s annual reports and budgets to external oversight agencies.
  • Directs and analyzes studies of general economic, business, and financial conditions and their impact on the University’s policies and operations.
  • Oversees compliance and risk management functions.
  • Responsible for preparation and/or implementation of projects or reporting as assigned by the President.
  • Coordinates with System Office of General Counsel.
  • Completes, updates, evaluates, and maintains an active Institutional Effectiveness divisional/unit plan(s) and evaluation strategy/strategies which link to the University Strategic Plan and the unit budget and provides for the documentation of the use of assessment results for continuous quality assessment and improvement.
  • Oversees campus operations and information technology.

Qualifications

Minimum Educational Requirements:

  • Master’s degree in business administration, management, accounting or related field.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Progressively responsible experience in supervisory positions in administrative or fiscal functions in higher education or a related business field or position.
  • Outstanding leadership and communication skills.
  • Knowledge of fund accounting, financial data analysis techniques, and computerized financial records management.
  • Demonstrated financial planning and assessment skills.
  • High ethical standards.

Preferred Education and Certification:

  • D.B.A, Ph.D., and/or Certified Public Accountant

Application Process

Tarleton State University invites nominations and applications or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University. Applications must include a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, and list of references. For full consideration, application materials should be submitted to Parker Executive Search by May 1, 2024. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. For additional information, please contact:

Laurie Wilder, President
Porsha Williams, Vice President
Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal
Jack McGrew, Associate
janderson@parkersearch.com || jmcgrew@parkersearch.com
Parker Executive Search
(678) 775-4564 || (678) 775-4580

Tarleton State University provide equal opportunity to all employees, students, applicants for employment, and the public regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, or veteran status. Tarleton State University will promptly and thoroughly investigate all complaints of discrimination, sexual harassment, and related retaliation in accordance with applicable federal and state laws, A&M System Policy 08.01, and Regulation 08.01.01, and university rules and/or procedures.

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