Job Description

Fitchburg State University seeks a dynamic, innovative, and strategic financial leader to serve as its next Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The CFO will serve as a key architect and steward of Fitchburg State's financial future, helping to shape a sustainable, responsive, and mission-aligned resource strategy that enables innovation and long-term institutional vitality. This is a rare and compelling opportunity to work alongside a leadership team that models transparency, decisive action, and creative problem-solving, and to join a highly collaborative and purpose-driven campus dedicated to building a stronger, more inclusive future for public higher education.

As Fitchburg State advances a five-year strategic vision, including ambitious goals around enrollment growth, academic innovation, campus revitalization, and financial sustainability, the CFO will be an indispensable thought partner and operational leader. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of complex financial systems, a proven track record of aligning resources with institutional priorities, and a commitment to inclusive leadership and transparent decision-making.

The CFO will oversee financial planning and analysis, budgeting, procurement, accounting, investments, and real estate for a university with a $120 million annual operating budget and a strong desire to expand both public and private revenue streams. In this role, the CFO will play a pivotal part in the university's efforts to strengthen fiscal resilience, improve operational efficiency, support infrastructure renewal, and advance a compelling value proposition for students and stakeholders.

Fitchburg State is a university on the rise - driven by mission, energized by momentum, and committed to redefining what's possible for a regional public institution. The next CFO will help ensure that vision is financially and strategically realized.

Reporting directly to the President, the Chief Financial Officer is responsible for the strategic oversight and management of the university's financial operations. The CFO ensures the institution's fiscal integrity, aligning financial planning with the university's strategic goals.

Key areas of oversight will include:

• Budgeting and forecasting
• Accounting and financial reporting
• Procurement and contract management including capital projects financing and fiscal oversight
• Accounts payable and receivable
• Student accounts and billing
• Cash flow management
• Debt restructuring and investment portfolios
• Real estate strategy and portfolio management

Required:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in public sector or higher education financial management, including oversight of multimillion-dollar operating and capital budgets
• Proven experience with state financial systems and compliance, including navigating state audit processes, regulatory reporting, and legislative budget procedures
• Master's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field
• Demonstrated expertise in:
• Strategic budget development and financial forecasting
• Investment portfolio management and treasury operations
• Oversight of real estate, capital projects, and facilities finance
• Leading and developing high-performing professional teams across finance, procurement, and auxiliary operations
• Demonstrated experience in higher education financial management, including work with university foundations, affiliated support organizations, and auxiliary enterprises
• Strong analytical, organizational, and decision-making skills with a commitment to fiscal integrity, accessibility, and transparency

Preferred:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification
• 10+ years of executive-level experience in higher education finance, preferably at a public university or state system
• Proficiency with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, such as Ellucian Banner, Workday, or Oracle, and familiarity with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
• Demonstrated success in enhancing revenue streams, including grant management, auxiliary revenue, and private fundraising collaboration
• Experience with long-range financial planning, including debt strategy, endowment growth, and capital campaign planning
• A deep understanding of the role finance plays in advancing institutional access, student success, and inclusive excellence, with experience supporting mission-driven initiatives that serve a broad and diverse campus community

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