Vice President of Finance and Business Operations

Nevada State University appreciates your interest in employment. To ensure your application process runs smoothly, we ask that you keep in mind the following when completing your application:

• The required documents are listed below on the posting. Your application may not be considered if you do not attach the required documents.

• Draft applications are saved automatically and can be accessed through your candidate home account. Completed applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment. Once a recruitment has closed, applications will no longer be accepted.

• Please note, recruitment will close without notice when a hiring decision has been made.

If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact the Human Resources department at (702) 992-2320 or [email protected].

Job Description

Nevada State University invites applications for the position of Vice President of Finance and Business Operations (VP-FBO). Reporting directly to the President, the VP-FBO serves as the institution’s chief business and financial officer, responsible for the strategic direction, operational integrity, and long-term sustainability of the university’s financial, physical, human capital, and technology resources.

The VP-FBO leads the Finance and Business Operations Division, which is comprised of six major functional areas:

• Fiscal Services (including Accounting Services, Budget Services, and Sponsored Projects/Grant Award Services);
• Campus Infrastructure (including Facilities Management and Construction);
• Student Financial Services (including Financial Aid and the Cashier’s Office);
• Information & Technology Services;
• Human Resources; and
• Operations (including Campus Safety and Purchasing).

Together, these departments encompass approximately 100 employees and contracted staff whose work directly enables the university’s academic mission and student success. The VP-FBO partners with the other members of the Executive Team and institutional leadership to develop and execute the university’s strategic plan, ensuring that each area within the division is aligned with institutional priorities and positioned for long-term success. The VP-FBO is accountable for maintaining compliance with federal, state, Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), and Board of Regents policies and regulations across all areas of responsibility.

The VP-FBO partners with the University community to guide strategic investments, refine the budget model to advance the institution mission, align resources with top priorities, optimize state support, expand revenue opportunities, improve policies and systems for efficiency, and ensure student success remains central to all resource decisions. 

The successful candidate will be a proven leader with experience in managing growth and change in a team-focused environment with a commitment to service delivery. Success will be driven by the ability to foster and empower a high-quality, progressive, innovative work environment by providing strategic leadership to anticipate, identify, analyze, and balance constituent needs across the institution. The VP-FBO leads by example in thinking critically regarding business efficiency and effectiveness to responsibly and ethically drive continuous improvement across all functions.

 

About the institution:

Nevada State University, a four-year Minority Serving public institution with a statewide mission, is dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning and committed to the advancement of a diverse and largely underserved student population. Designated a Hispanic Serving (HSI) and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Institution (AANAPI), Nevada State is a university where teaching and student support are valued above all else.

Nevada State University continues to grow as an institution of higher education. In Fall 2025, the enrollment surpassed 8,400, with 8,287 undergraduate students and 117 graduate students. A majority of our students are first generation, racial/ethnic minorities, parents, and/or returning students, of which 48% are Hispanic, 10% are Asian/Pacific Islander, 10% are Black/African American, and 22% are White.

 

We celebrate the storied backgrounds of our campus community. We operate with a shared commitment to represent and serve the diverse population of Nevada and to encourage the exchange of ideas that respects and honors the lived experiences of our students, staff, and faculty. We foster a culture of inclusive excellence so our members can live authentically, fully engage, and flourish. In order to strengthen the University and progress towards its mission, the University dedicates itself to intentional and ongoing reflection to meeting the evolving needs of the institution, the surrounding communities, and the State of Nevada.

We seek applicants who are passionate about working with this promising student population and collaborating with faculty and staff across departments to make a lasting impact in developing our institution and our community. 

 

We encourage you to highlight your background in fostering an inclusive campus culture and supporting the success of students who are historically underrepresented in higher education.

 

Primary Responsibilities:

Financial Leadership & Strategic Management

• As a key advisor to the President and member of the Executive Team, maintain an ongoing focus on optimizing institution resources in the most efficient and effective way in moving the institution forward in fulfillment of its mission.
• Demonstrate strategic leadership through a transparent and data-driven approach, ensuring the highest level of stewardship of public resources.
• Uphold a commitment to shared governance and collaborative decision making. 
• Maintain strong financial acumen in relevant regulatory areas such as GAAP, GASB, fund accounting, FASB reporting, OMB Uniform Guidance and higher education financial reporting requirements.
• Build and maintain a high performing team that embraces transparency, collaboration, and dedication.

 

Division Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Provide executive direction for the Division of Finance and Business Operations, comprising more than 100 employees and contractors across six major functional areas.
• Collaborate with the President, Provost, and other Executive Team members to develop and execute institutional strategic planning and cross-divisional initiatives.
• Champion a culture of service, equity, accountability, professional development, and continuous improvement across the Division and institution.

 

Budget, Student Financial Services & Accounting Operations

• Provide strategic oversight and executive leadership for all fiscal operations of the university, including Accounting Services, Budget Services, and Sponsored Projects/Grant Award Services.
• Oversee the preparation, monitoring, and administration of the university’s annual operating budget (approximately $78M) and biennial legislative budget submissions.
• Ensure the timely and accurate preparation of the institution’s annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP, GASB, and all external reporting requirements including IPEDS, State of Nevada, NSHE, and Board of Regents requirements.
• Direct and oversee the university’s compliance with federal, state, and system regulations governing financial management, sponsored programs, grant administration, and internal controls.
• Oversee relationships with external and internal auditors; ensure a clean and timely annual Single Audit of federal programs under Title IV and Uniform Guidance.
• Provide executive oversight of Student Financial Services, encompassing Financial Aid and the Cashier’s Office in support of enrollment management goals, student persistence, and ensuring an accessible, student-centered financial experience.
• Formulate and implement institution-wide financial policies and procedures that ensure resource stewardship, operational efficiency and compliance.

 

Campus Infrastructure, Facilities & Campus Safety

• Provide executive oversight of capital planning, design, and construction for all new construction, major renovations, and tenant improvement projects across NSU’s campus portfolio.
• Direct the implementation and evolution of the Campus Master Plan to ensure the university’s physical environment supports enrollment growth, student success, and operational continuity.
• Evaluate and execute public-private (P3) and public-public partnership opportunities; lead negotiations with real estate and development partners.
• Provide executive oversight of the Campus Safety Department, including institutional safety preparedness, emergency planning, and regulatory compliance with applicable laws and regulations.  Serve on the university’s Incident Management Team and provide senior leadership direction during campus emergencies.
• Champion a proactive safety culture across campus; support the development, testing, and continuous improvement of emergency response plans. Oversee the university’s coordinating relationships with external partners to ensure an integrated, institution-wide approach to safety and emergency management.

 

Information Technology Services

• Provide strategic oversight of the Office of Information & Technology Services ensuring that campus networks, enterprise systems, cybersecurity, audiovisual, and hosted services reliably support institutional operations.
• Oversee and guide the institution’s participation in Workday, the NSHE shared-service ERP providing system-wide finance and human resources automation. 

 

External Relations, Governance, Regulatory Compliance & Institutional Representation

• Represent Nevada State University throughout the legislative process in hearings and other meetings.  Complete timely analysis of proposed legislation, fiscal impact statements, and responses to legislative inquiries.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with city, county, and state agencies, development partners, external auditors, and community stakeholders.  Represent the University at various public meetings and other events as necessary
• As the Institution’s Chief Business Officer, represent the University at the NSHE Business Officers Council, Board of Regents sessions, and other system-level governance bodies; develop and present institutional positions on policy and budget matters.  Serve as the university’s primary liaison with NSHE system finance, risk management, and compliance offices.

 

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Business, Accounting, Public Administration or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution. 
• At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in public sector budget, administration, finance or similar roles, including significant experience in leadership positions. 
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement best practices in strategic financial management.
• Thorough knowledge of higher education compliance and accreditation requirements and relevant federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Experience successfully leading multi-disciplinary teams.
• Ability to apply an innovative and strategic mindset, with a commitment to advancing the university’s mission, vision, and values.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and in public speaking, to a variety of audiences.
• Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship (Nevada State does not sponsor employment-related visas).

 

Please note: Applicants must meet the posted minimum qualifications at the time of application in order to be considered for the position.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Earned doctoral level degree in business, education, public policy or other closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.    
• Recent management level experience with a relational database driven ERP, such as Workday or similar.
• Experience working with collective bargaining units, including negotiations, contract administration, grievance processes, and labor relations matters.
• Experience in a public higher education setting. 

 

Salary & Benefits

Budgeted salary for this position is $155,617.00. Nevada State University offers excellent benefits, including 19.25% retirement match, 24 annual leave days, beginning balance of 30 sick leave days, 12 paid holidays, educational benefits, and three health insurance plans that can be supplemented with flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts.

This Posting is Open Until Filled

The posting will close at 11:59 pm on November 24, 2026. The posting will no longer be available to apply to after the above time. 

Special Instructions for Internal NSHE Applicants

Nevada State University employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE, UNLV, UNR, NSU, CSN, TMCC, WNC, GBC, or DRI) MUST use the “Browse Jobs” process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at Nevada State and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday, type "Browse Jobs" in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site.

If you complete an application outside of the internal application process, your application will be returned and you will have to reapply as an internal applicant which may delay your application.

Exempt 

Yes

Full-Time Equivalent

100.0%

Required Attachment(s)

Please note, once you submit your application the only attachment(s) viewable to you will be the attachment(s) to the resume/CV section of the application. Any additional required attachment(s) to the cover letter, references, additional documents sections of the application, will not be viewable to you after you submit your application. All uploaded attachment(s) will be on the application for the committee to review. To request updates to attachments, prior to the committee review of applications, please contact the candidate helpdesk at [email protected].

Please upload the following documents:

• Detailed resume listing relevant qualifications and experience;
• Cover Letter indicating why you are a good fit for the position and Nevada State University;
• Names and contact information of three references (you will be notified before references are contacted).

Applications that do not include the required uploaded documents may not be considered.

Posting Close Date

11/25/2026

Note to Applicant

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications in their cover letter. The search committee will use this information during the initial review of application materials.

  

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

  

This position may require a criminal background check to be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

  

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

  

Nevada State University does not currently sponsor Visas, all applicants must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Nevada State University