Senior Vice President for Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View, TX - United States
Prairie View A&M University seeks an accomplished and strategic leader as its Senior Vice President for Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer (SVPBA/CFO).
Located in Prairie View, Texas – about 50 miles from downtown Houston – the 1,440-acre campus lives up to its unofficial motto, “Prairie View Produces Productive People.” The University has the honor of counting among its graduates a Brigadier General, the first Black female engineer to be registered by the state of Texas, the founder of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), numerous academicians, professional athletes, an Olympic Gold Medalist, entertainers, and artists who have made tremendous impacts on their communities and the world.
PVAMU is the second-oldest public institution in Texas. Empowered by a shared sense of history and experience, as well as PVAMU’s relentless commitment to providing the highest quality of education, research, and service, its graduates make their mark as scholars and leaders in their fields. Established in 1876 as a land-grant institution, the University enrolls over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Students from Texas form the majority of the population, followed by students from California. The total student population hails from 44 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 87 countries. The University has eight colleges and schools, most of which are accredited by professional bodies (ABET, AACSB International, and others), and numerous research centers housed on the main campus. The University offers 36 bachelor’s degree programs, 31 master’s degree programs, and six doctoral programs.
The next SVPBA/CFO will have the opportunity to serve in a leadership role at a public land grant, research II, HBCU with a rich tradition of access, opportunity, and transformation for over 148 years. PVAMU finds itself entering an exciting new chapter in the institution’s history. With a newer President and Provost and the recently launched 10-year strategic plan, Journey to Eminence, there is a need for leaders to bring fresh ideas and strategies to strengthen and advance the University’s mission of high-quality education, research, community engagement, and societal impact. The SVPBA/CFO has responsibility for the fiscal stewardship of all University assets, including the University’s annual budget of approximately $297 million. The University’s endowment is valued at $152 million.
The SVPBA/CFO will work with the President’s Cabinet and the University community, which are optimistic about the future and cognizant of the many opportunities and challenges facing higher education. To meet them, PVAMU will require an SVPBA/CFO who can bring a high level of competence, experience, and creativity to how the institution thinks about, manages, and improves its finances, operations, campus planning, and facilities management.
The success of the next SVPBA/CFO will be determined by how well they provide sound strategic advice regarding financial and administrative matters and their ability to bring keen insights and good judgment to a diverse set of complex issues. They will also be an important voice in reducing administrative burdens that often impede timely decision-making or make straightforward tasks needlessly complex. The SVPBA/CFO must build collaborative relationships, consult with various stakeholders, and communicate clearly and transparently regarding complex issues. The SVPBA/CFO oversees a large team, and they must effectively lead and manage a group of experienced and talented professionals. Ensuring that PVAMU has the right and most effective management systems and platforms will also be an important responsibility of the SVPBA/CFO.
The next SVPBA/CFO must have a master’s degree in business, finance, accounting, or a related field. The successful candidate must also have at least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in financial management or related administrative experience, with time spent at the executive or senior level. A CPA is preferred.
Applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile found below. WittKieffer is assisting Prairie View A&M University in this search. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The position will remain open until an appointment is made. Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Christine J. Pendleton and Jevon Walton at [email protected].