DutiesThe Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance (VCAF) is responsible for the business and financial operations of the University and serves as Chief Financial Officer. The Vice Chancellor leads and oversees financial management, budget operations, business services, debt management, facilities planning, human resources, university police, risk management, and capital construction. The position reports directly to the Chancellor and is a key member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet. The Vice Chancellor develops and oversees controls, policies and procedures for all administrative areas. The Vice Chancellor serves as a key and trusted advisor to the Chancellor.
The Vice Chancellor is responsible for developing the financial plan, preparing projections, and analyses of financial information. The Vice Chancellor oversees the preparation of the annual operating budget and implementation. The Vice Chancellor is responsible for monitoring, planning, analyzing and forecasting the University’s revenues and expenditures and making timely, candid, and strategic recommendations. The position oversees the development and maintenance of internal controls to safeguard the financial integrity of the university and ensures compliance with federal, state and system regulations and policies.
As a senior administrator, the Vice Chancellor must have superb political acumen and be partnership-oriented with others within the Montana University System. The Vice Chancellor is responsible for effective communications with all constituent groups within the university, community, and other stakeholders. The Vice Chancellor must be student centered and focused on their success.
List of Key Activities
• The Vice Chancellor will assist the Chancellor in various capacities as assigned.
• Ensures that monitoring systems are in place to track compliance with all federal and state laws and regulations, and that all staff have the training that they need to comply with relevant laws and regulations.
• Adheres to and fosters high standards of ethical conduct, compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and appropriate financial oversight and controls.
• Observes safety, security and confidentiality precautions appropriate to work performed.
• Plans, organizes, and directs the financial and business operations of Montana State University Billings as assigned.
• Manages all financial planning and financial analyses and appropriate controls and reports.
• Coordinates and supervises the development of institutional operating budgets
• Collaborates with the MSUB Foundation to raise funds and ensure proper reporting and use of funds
• Supports the University Budget Advisory Council (UBAC)
• Administers the approved budget, authorizing appropriate budget adjustments as needed to carry out the normal operations of the university.
• Oversees and directs the departments under their responsibility and seeks opportunities for shared services to improve efficiency and reduce costs in order to achieve the university mission.
• Coordinates and supervises the development of the Legislative Appropriations Request and as needed develop evidence and testimony in support of the request to various state agencies and the Legislature.
• Administers all business and financial aspects of the university to include development and administration of interagency contracts and financial relationships.
• Exercises prudent management practices, and authorizes exceptions to regular purchasing and payment policies when appropriate and within existing laws.
• Recommends ways to link appropriation and operating budget requests to university planning.
• Represents MSU Billings in matters related to the business and financial management of the institution, including liaison with outside entities.
• Provides leadership and oversight of institutional effectiveness efforts including the use of evaluation results and linking results to planning.
• Participates in development, public service, fund raising activities, and other activities which support the mission of the Montana University System and MSU Billings
• Promotes diversity within units to support existing university programs designed to create a welcoming environment for everyone.
• Hires, trains, monitors, and conducts scheduled evaluations of the work performance of employees supervised.
• Provides leadership and oversight of institutional effectiveness efforts including the use of evaluation results and linking results to planning.
• Participates in development, public service, fund raising activities, and other activities which support the mission of the university.
• Promotes diversity within units to support existing university programs designed to create a welcoming environment for everyone.
• Hires, trains, monitors, and conducts scheduled evaluations of the work performance of employees supervised.
• Collaborates with labor unions and promotes a positive work environment
• Coordinates audits performed by the legislative auditor, internal audit, federal audit agencies, and independent certified public accountants.
The Vice Chancellor is responsible for the leadership of the following departments:
• Business Services: Business Services is responsible for the University purchasing, accounts payable, cashiering, Perkins Loan Program management, accounts receivable, mail services, and printing services.
• Budget Office: The Budget Office is responsible for internal and external budget development, monitoring, and balancing. This director collaborates with other directors to review and make recommendations to strengthen internal controls.
• University Police: The University Police are responsible for the safety and security of the university as well as parking. The Chief of Police serves as the risk management director.
• Information Technology: Responsibilities include overall computing services infrastructure and faculty, staff, and student technology support.
• Facilities Services: Facilities Services is responsible for all university construction projects, architectural and engineering services, grounds, maintenance and repair, custodial services, and the inviting appearance of the university. The director partners with the Chief of Police to ensure a safe work and learning environment.
• Financial Services: Financial Services is responsible for accounting and financial reporting, payroll, grants and contracts management, internal university recharges, property management, and cash and investment management. The director prepares the annual financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
• Human Resources: Human Resources is responsible for the University recruitment and retention of employees, benefits administration, employee and labor relations, equal employment opportunity, Title IX, Americans with Disabilities Act, University training program, new employee orientation, affirmative action, and diversity.
• Campus Store: The Campus Store, is funded through revenue generated by sales in the store and online. The Campus Store sells spirit gear, logo-ed merchandise, CPU accessories, convenience store items, gifts, art supplies, and school supplies. Course materials are purchased by students directly through an online 3rd party supplier.
• MSUB Dining Services: Dining services are outsourced to an exclusive provider through a competitive bid process. Dining facilities include Rimrock Café, SubConnection, Jazzman’s, Stingers, and the City College Café.
• Legal Services: The Vice Chancellor has custody of all contracts, insurance policies, leases, deeds, and other legal documents. The Vice Chancellor is the designated administrative officer in reviewing and signing contracts. However, signing of Academic related contracts (i.e. articulation agreements, etc.) is the primary responsibility of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, but contracts involving funds must also be signed off by the VCAF. The University uses the Chief Legal Counsel at Montana State University. Accordingly, this position requires the ability to work with many other leaders within the Montana University System to ensure effective and efficient contracts are executed within existing laws and procedures.
Minimum EducationMaster's Degree
Minimum QualificationsRequired Qualifications
The ideal applicant will possess a master’s degree (or higher) with emphasis in business administration, financial management or related fields, and at least ten (10) years of experience in progressively more responsible senior level finance and administrative management positions in higher education and/or business; or equivalent combination of education, experience and training.
Must have the ability to plan, develop, evaluate and advise on the impact of long range financial planning.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required for successful performance:
• Excellent analytical and abstract reasoning skills
• Demonstrated evidence of successful customer-oriented leadership
• Effectively manage large and diverse departments
• Effective interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills (oral and written)
• Foster and cultivate business opportunities and partnerships
• Knowledge of budgeting, planning and financial reporting
• Ability to make strategic decisions with limited resources
• High ethics and standards
Serves as a role model for students to emulate
Preferred QualificationsPreferred Qualifications
• A Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Relevant experience in higher education
AboutMontana State University Billings is a comprehensive public four-year higher education institution located in Montana’s largest population center, whose faculty is actively engaged in teaching, research, creative endeavors and public service. MSU Billings is unique in that it is one of a select few higher education institutions that also boasts an embedded two-year community college.
The University opened in 1927 and was initially called Eastern Montana State Normal School at Billings and was established to prepare teachers for elementary schools in eastern Montana. MSU Billings has grown, with the city of Billings and Yellowstone County, into the major urban comprehensive higher education center of south central and eastern Montana. The University campus consists of four colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education and the College of Allied Health Professions. Seven miles west of the University campus sits City College at MSU Billings, which serves the comprehensive two-year mission of the university.
LocationBillings, Montana
For more information or to apply online:
https://employment.msubillings.edu/postings/3508Montana State University Billings is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination. As such, the University does not discriminate in the admission, access to or conduct of its educational programs and activities nor in its employment policies and practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, gender, age, political beliefs, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation or preference. In support of the University’s mission to be inclusive and diverse, applications from qualified minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged.
Montana State University Billings makes accommodation for any known disability that may interfere with an applicant’s ability to compete in the hiring process or an employee’s ability to perform the duties of the job. In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU Billings provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference or request accommodation, contact the Human Resources Office, Montana State University Billings, 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59101-0298, 406-657-2278, employment@msubillings.edu.
MSU Billings Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Billings Website: http://www.msubillings.edu/humres/eeos.htm
