Eastern Washington University (EWU) seeks a strong and experienced leader to serve as its next Vice President of Business and Strategy (VPBS). As a member of the Cabinet, the VPBS reports directly to the President and has a leadership role in the strategic planning and development of institutional resources to support the University's mission and goals.
The Vice President of Business and Strategy is a key visionary and innovative leader on the President's executive team, responsible for budgetary and financial accountability, optimizing fiscal and physical resources, and crafting strategies to support the University's institutional priorities. This role oversees or supports all campus finance functions, including budgeting, procurement, accounting, payroll, and financial management, while ensuring fiscal and legal compliance. Additionally, the VPBS leads various administrative and support operations, such as facilities services, environmental health and safety, food services, Eagle Store, IT, and university police, ensuring the smooth functioning of the University. Reporting to the President, the VPBS drives improvements to the University's business model, operational effectiveness, and process efficiency and works collaboratively with the leadership team, campus community, community agencies, builders, and contractors. The VPBS will have a vision and strategy for moving the University forward with a focus on decarbonization, sustainability, and solid decision-making.
The next VPBS will be expected to develop long-term, cost-effective business and financial strategies to support University initiatives, analyze data to make sound decisions, recommend operational efficiencies, forecast revenue projections, determine the fiscal impact of state budget allocations, and represent the University's interest in various internal and external constituent groups.
The VPBS is responsible for developing, implementing, and administering comprehensive policies, programs, and procedures necessary to monitor and maintain the financial stability of the University in compliance with local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and policies. The individual should have a background as a CFO and be willing to oversee those duties. The incoming VPBS is expected to have a strong sense about human relations and staff support, student success, campus community, and community relations, and embrace collaborative work as a priority to shape a shared governance environment.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume, a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile, and a statement describing how your approach will accommodate and respond to financial, academic, and other similar challenges experienced by our students, faculty, staff, and the public.
In addition, per Chapter 28B.112.080 of the Revised Code of Washington regarding Campus Sexual Violence, all applicants are required to complete a sexual misconduct disclosure form.
Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer's candidate portal.
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:
Zachary A. Smith, Ph.D., Jeff Compher, and Corin Edwards
EWU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, age, marital status, families with children, protected veteran or military status, HIV or hepatitis C, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, as provided for and to the extent required by state and federal laws.
To be considered eligible for appointment into the position, applicants must be available and able to start in the position no later than the date specified in the letter of appointment.
This position, during the course of university employment, will be involved in the receipt of, or accountability for, university funds or other items of value, as well as the unsupervised access with the developmentally disabled, vulnerable adults or children under the age of 16. The offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion and passing of a background check prior to beginning employment.
All new faculty and staff are required to complete DEI/Title IX/Hazing Training after their hire date. This should be completed no later than the first few weeks after hire. In person and Zoom training opportunities will be posted on InsideEWU and are listed on Human Resources' site https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/training-resources/ under the "Required" heading.
All new employees must comply with EWU Immunization Policy 602-02 and provide proof of immunity or vaccination to MMR before beginning work at EWU. Waivers for the immunization requirement are available for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs.