The Vice President of Finance of APUS serves as the University’s financial officer with the aim of working with the president and leadership team to lead APUS effectively and efficiently. Working in close partnership with the President, the vice president plays a central role in major undertakings at the institution and collaborates with the Controller as well as the Chief Financial Officer of APUS’s parent company, American Public Education, Inc. (APEI), to ensure consistency and compliance in reporting and execution of all APUS and related APEI regulatory and compliance requirements. The University seeks a finance expert who understands the financial requirements of being a for-profit institution of higher education. This position reports to the President of APUS. The VP, Finance will supervise the Sr. Financial Analyst.

The Vice President of Finance’s responsibilities include University financial planning, project specific financial analysis (e.g. flexible program/course pricing, cost effectiveness of our programs, faculty and staff compensation financial analysis, etc.), leading matters related to financial management and operations through oversight of the shared services agreements between APEI and APUS, and general oversight of financial and operational compliance of the University as a wholly-owned subsidiary of APEI. The Vice President of Finance works with the leadership team to ensure optimal utilization of resources consistent with APUS’s mission and assists the University President and leadership in developing the strategy for APUS to grow in a cost effective manner. The new vice president, in partnership with the President and other senior colleagues, will lead APUS in growing the University system.

Responsibilities in this role also include oversight of the following shared service agreements with APEI: finance operations (for business office and billing and collections); facilities and facilities management; and Information Technology. This position will lead APUS budgeting consistent with the APUS strategic plan, the President, Board of Trustees, and APEI processes and guidance. Other primary responsibilities include: analyzing financial data; and recommending system and process improvements in collaboration with the University community and the APEI Controller and CIO.

As a member of the APUS senior leadership team, s/he must be an outstanding communicator who values transparency and appreciates the dynamics of being a wholly owned higher education subsidiary of a for-profit corporation. The incumbent must have an understanding of managing and operating in a shared services environment, an understanding of accreditation requirements related to business and financial operations of a university, as well as an understanding of the Department of Education requirements regarding for-profit higher education. A deeply held appreciation is required of the fact that we are first and foremost a University, and as such, faculty and academics are key in the decision-making and planning of the University system.

The Vice President of Finance provides oversight and monitors adherence to financial operating practices and procedures consistent with the shared services agreements and partners with APEI to recommend best use of available resources and technologies, the creation of new processes, and the revision/documentation of established procedures and process flows. The candidate, in collaboration with the President and other APUS leadership, works with APEI Finance analyzing routine operational reports and other financial information, interacting with appropriate internal staff regarding audits, and leveraging analytics to monitor key performance indicators across finance and administration related functions. The incumbent manages relationships with third-party vendors, acts as a liaison with department managers and other departments, and works collaboratively with the University leadership to establish and implement short-term and long-term goals. The successful candidate provides oversight of service levels to ensure customer satisfaction is reached, and evaluates performance of those services providing effective and timely feedback.

The successful candidate identifies and participates in the definition of business requirements and may be involved in the performance of user acceptance testing and joint application development activities with team members and other departments in partnership with the shared service as the service relates to APUS. As a member of the University leadership team, the vice president leads by example fostering a collaborative culture and work ethic by also providing a caring and supportive environment. The incumbent ensures and supports all reporting required by the Controller of APEI and meets all GAAP, SEC and SOX standards, as well as other standards set forth by federal, state and local laws, Federal Student Aid policies, and Department of Education policies, Department of Defense policies for military students, APUS policies, and accreditation standards.

Finally, the role provides oversight of APUS assets (facilities, computer hardware, and software) and monitors the service level agreements with APEI in servicing and supporting these assets. The incumbent periodically reviews policies and procedures and recommends changes/updates to ensure our policies and procedures support the strategy and direction of the University. The incumbent is an active member of the President’s leadership team, providing staff assistance to the Board of Trustees, supporting the Provost, the COO, and Chief of Staff, and works with the Provost and APUS vice president of human resources in the evaluation of faculty compensation models, and collaborating with the COO and University leadership team to propose appropriate tuition pricing for the University’s various programs. Collaborating with the Provost and University leadership the vice president will develop a model for determining ROI of APUS programs and assessment of these on an annual basis.

Candidates should possess extensive knowledge of business operations and regulatory compliance in a for-profit environment, of higher education finance, budgeting, and military tuition assistance. An understanding of financial aid regulations is a plus. The incumbent should have expertise in re-engineering policies and procedures, formulating policies, developing financial models to demonstrate and assess return on investment of new initiatives and current programs, and in developing and implementing new strategies and procedures at an institution of higher education. Strategic planning and performance measurement skills are required to promote organizational success in financial planning and fiscal management, and to fulfill the University’s mission, vision, goals, and objectives.

The successful candidate fosters a collaborative environment, and possesses exceptional interpersonal skills to interact and work effectively with the president and university executive leadership, the board, administrators, academic leadership, faculty, students, community leadership, APEI executives, public officials, the military, and members of the community at large. The ideal candidate possesses a student-centric orientation, and is dedicated to service excellence. The incumbent is able to analyze complex problems, interpret operational needs, and develop integrated, creative solutions, working across departmental boundaries and with APEI to obtain and utilize resources for advancing the University.

Required Experience:

It is preferred that the successful candidate have an earned Master’s degree in Finance, an MBA or in Accounting with a minimum requirement of a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting or a related field. The candidate will also possess the experience, talent, diplomacy, and intelligence necessary to build and inspire colleagues, and must be a superior financial and business strategist and analyst with a strong grasp of best practices nationally. Most importantly, the candidate must possess qualities of leadership, including vision, decisiveness, integrity, and demonstrable commitment to the mission, vision, and core values of APUS.

The ideal candidate will have ten or more years of experience in finance or accounting, ten or more years of management experience in a senior leadership role, and five or more years of experience in a higher education institution, as well as in financial aid. Experience with Great Plains is a plus. Competence and tested facility in the use of Excel is required.

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, Accounting or related field