Vice President of Finance and Administration / Director of Finance

Job Description:

Kansas Health Science University (KHSU)-Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM) is seeking an experienced and collaborative financial leader to support the University's continued growth, financial sustainability, and strategic priorities.

KHSU is considering candidates for either the Vice President of Finance and Administration or Director of Finance position. The final title, scope of responsibilities, and compensation will be determined based on the selected candidate's qualifications, professional experience, demonstrated leadership capabilities, and the University's organizational needs.

This flexible recruitment approach allows KHSU to consider experienced financial professionals with strong technical and operational expertise, as well as senior executives with broader institutional leadership experience.

Both positions report directly to the President/Chief Executive Officer, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the System Chief Financial Officer, and work collaboratively with colleagues throughout The Community Solution Education System.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in financial planning, institutional decision-making, and supporting the University's academic mission.

Core Responsibilities — Both Positions

The following responsibilities are central to both positions, with the level of strategic leadership and organizational oversight varying by position.

Financial Planning and Strategy

• Lead annual budgeting, multiyear forecasting, financial analysis, and institutional financial planning.
• Develop financial models, projections, and business cases to support academic programs, staffing, facilities, grants, partnerships, and strategic initiatives.
• Monitor financial performance, analyze budget variances, and recommend appropriate actions.
• Provide timely financial information and recommendations to University leadership, budget owners, and the Board, as appropriate.
• Support institutional financial sustainability and responsible resource allocation.

Financial Operations and System Collaboration

• Serve as a key liaison to System Financial Affairs, including accounting, accounts payable, payroll, treasury, financial reporting, and financial systems.
• Coordinate financial policies, internal controls, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance.
• Support financial approval processes, contract administration, insurance matters, and institutional risk management.
• Collaborate with System Legal Affairs, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and other shared-service departments.

Institutional Support and Compliance

• Support institutional and programmatic accreditation through financial planning, documentation, and reporting.
• Coordinate the financial aspects of grants and sponsored programs with System partners.
• Collaborate with University leadership on new initiatives, operational improvements, and financial decision-making.
• Support financial evaluations of external funding opportunities and institutional partnerships.

Position-Specific Responsibilities

Vice President of Finance and Administration

Candidates selected at the Vice President level will serve as a senior executive leader and strategic advisor to the President, providing comprehensive financial and administrative leadership.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Serve as the University's highest-ranking campus financial officer and a key member of executive leadership.
• Advise the President on financial strategy, institutional operations, resource allocation, organizational effectiveness, and administrative risk.
• Provide executive oversight of human resources, facilities, real estate, campus security, and audio/visual technology.
• Lead institutional capital planning, infrastructure priorities, and administrative improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with campus and System HR on workforce planning, talent strategy, compensation planning, and organizational development.
• Provide executive-level financial and operational reporting to the Board and assigned committees.
• Coordinate institutional risk management, emergency preparedness, business continuity, and administrative compliance.
• Provide strategic leadership across departments while maintaining effective partnerships within the System shared-services structure.
• Support Title IV readiness, accreditation requirements, and institutional financial governance.

Director of Finance

Candidates selected at the Director level will serve as the University's senior campus financial professional, with primary responsibility for financial planning, analysis, reporting, and coordination of financial operations.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Manage the University's annual budgeting process, financial forecasts, and periodic financial reporting.
• Prepare financial analyses, models, and recommendations to support institutional decision-making.
• Serve as the primary campus contact for System Financial Affairs and coordinate day-to-day financial processes.
• Coordinate contract tracking, approvals, renewals, insurance matters, and related financial documentation.
• Partner with System Financial Aid and Student Accounts to support campus financial processes.
• Support accreditation reporting, grant financial administration, and institutional financial compliance.
• Provide financial guidance and support to departmental leaders and budget owners.
• Supervise assigned campus finance personnel, if applicable.

Required Qualifications

Director of Finance

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in finance, budgeting, financial analysis, or related work.
• Demonstrated experience developing budgets, forecasts, financial models, and executive-level reports.
• Strong analytical, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with institutional leadership and colleagues across a shared-services environment.

Vice President of Finance and Administration

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in finance, administration, or operations, including at least five years in senior leadership.
• Demonstrated experience with financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, audits, risk management, contracts, and compliance.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, advise senior executives, and manage complex organizational relationships.
• Strong strategic judgment, executive communication skills, integrity, and demonstrated change leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

Depending on the position level, preferred qualifications include:

• Master's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation or other relevant professional credential.
• Experience in higher education, health sciences, nonprofit organizations, or a shared-services environment.
• Experience with institutional accreditation, grants, financial compliance, and Board reporting.
• For Vice President candidates, experience overseeing multiple administrative functions, such as human resources, facilities, security, and institutional operations.
• Familiarity with Title IV requirements and financial responsibilities within an academic institution.

Work Environment

This is an on-campus leadership position based in Wichita, Kansas. The position requires regular collaboration with University leadership, faculty, staff, and System colleagues. Occasional evening or weekend responsibilities and travel may be required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Position Level and Selection Process

KHSU is conducting a single recruitment process to identify the candidate whose qualifications and experience best align with the University's financial and administrative leadership needs.

Only one position is anticipated to be filled through this recruitment.

Candidates will be considered for the Director of Finance or Vice President of Finance and Administration level based on their qualifications, experience, demonstrated competencies, and alignment with institutional priorities.

The selected position level will determine the final scope of responsibilities, leadership expectations, and compensation.

KHSU welcomes applications from qualified professionals who meet the requirements of either position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kansas Health Science University-Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine is committed to equal employment opportunity and maintaining a work environment in which individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Employment decisions are made without discrimination based on any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Kansas Health Science University offers a generous compensation and benefits package, as well as the opportunity to work for a leader in the field of education. Some of our key benefits include: generous paid time-off, medical and dental coverage, company-paid life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts (FSA), tuition reimbursement, professional development, and regular employee appreciation events.

Kansas Health Science University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.