Associate Chancellor for Finance and Strategy

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (UWO) invites applications and nominations for an Associate Chancellor for Finance and Strategy. This position will join a new Chancellor and a dedicated community to further the mission of the University. The Associate Chancellor will also lead an integrated strategic planning process that aligns academic, financial, enrollment, and operational goals, conduct environmental scanning, market analysis, and scenario planning to anticipate and respond to future challenges and opportunities, develop and maintain institutional dashboards and KPIs to monitor progress toward strategic goals, and foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork across the university community.

With a more than 150-year history, UWO is a university of higher education in the highly respected Universities of Wisconsin, deeply connected with partners throughout its home region. UWO embraces the ideals of the Wisconsin Idea, one of the longest and most fundamental traditions that links the constellation of 13 universities forming the Universities of Wisconsin. UWO serves over 12,000 students, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students, and approximately 5,000 high school learners throughout Wisconsin pursuing UWO college credits. The university is driven by a dedicated workforce of more than 1,200 employees and is a recognized leader in sustainability, health care, education, business partnerships, and regional economic development. Deeply committed to access, affordability, and academic excellence, UW Oshkosh plays a central role in the educational and economic vitality of the Fox Valley region.

The Associate Chancellor for Finance and Strategy is a critical leadership role that integrates the responsibilities of chief financial officer and chief strategy officer. Reporting directly to the Chancellor and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team, this executive will oversee institution-wide financial operations and play a key role in strategic planning initiatives to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability and alignment with the mission. In a dynamic environment shaped by statewide funding constraints, demographic shifts, and evolving expectations for regional public universities, the Associate Chancellor will guide UW Oshkosh in developing new revenue models, streamlining operations to optimize costs, and advancing the university's strategic goals in alignment with the Universities of Wisconsin. The Associate Chancellor will be responsible for fostering a culture of evidence-based planning and informed decision-making. With a strong commitment to the mission of public higher education, inclusive excellence, and shared governance, the Associate Chancellor will serve as a key driver of institutional transformation, helping shape university priorities, structure, and resource allocation, and collaborating with Cabinet members, Deans, shared governance, and Universities of Wisconsin leaders to ensure strategic coherence. The ideal candidate will be a strategic business officer with strong financial acumen, a genuine appreciation for the impact of higher education, and experience in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. They will be a seasoned financial professional with a proven track record of developing and implementing innovative financial models, identifying key investment areas, and being a collaborative team player.

• Develop and maintain institutional dashboards and KPIs to monitor progress toward strategic goals.

• Foster a culture of evidence-based planning and informed decision-making.

• Identify and develop diversified revenue sources, including grants, international recruitment, auxiliary enterprises, partnerships, public-private ventures, and other entrepreneurial opportunities.

• Evaluate academic and administrative units for cost-effectiveness, ROI, and strategic fit.

• Support initiatives to modernize business operations and deploy technology to reduce administrative burden and improve financial decision-making.

• Direct capital planning and infrastructure investments in alignment with the institution's mission and fiscal responsibility.

• Lead all financial functions, including budgeting, forecasting, accounting, procurement, investments, and financial reporting.

• Develop and implement multi-year financial models to support institutional priorities and ensure long-term fiscal stability.

• Manage a $250 million operating budget.

• Oversee cash flow, liquidity management, and reserves, optimizing financial resources to support strategic objectives.

• Collaborate with Executive Council and Cabinet members, Deans, shared governance, and System leaders to ensure strategic coherence.

• Represent UW Oshkosh on System-level working groups related to finance and strategy, advocating for institutional needs while supporting system-wide initiatives.

• Support an integrated strategic planning process that aligns academic, financial, enrollment, and operational goals.

• Serve as a key driver of institutional transformation, helping shape university priorities, structure, and resource allocation.

• Conduct environmental scanning, market analysis, and scenario planning to anticipate and respond to future challenges and opportunities.

Office of the Chancellor

$200,000-$213,000

The ideal candidate will be a strategic business officer with strong financial acumen, a genuine appreciation for the impact of higher education, and experience in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. They will be a seasoned financial professional with a proven track record of developing and implementing innovative financial models, identifying key investment areas, and being a collaborative team player.

• Graduate degree in finance, strategic management, business administration, public policy, higher education leadership, or a closely related field.

• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management and/or strategic planning in a highly complex organization.

• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and institutional change in complex, regulated settings.

• Strong financial modeling and data analytics capabilities.

• Deep commitment to the mission of public higher education and shared governance.

• Doctoral/terminal degree in a related field.

• Experience within an institution or system of higher education or a similarly complex non-profit organization.

• Familiarity with Wisconsin state budgeting, capital project approval, and procurement procedures.

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex financial and strategic concepts to varied audiences.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Please submit your CV and cover letter as soon as possible using the following external link: https://www.dsgco.com/search/22600-uw-oshkosh-associate-chancellor-for-finance/.

Nominations or inquiries can be directed to the search team below:

Steve Leo, Managing Director

Brian Bustin, Senior Associate

DSG | Storbeck

UWOCFO@dsgco.com

Reasonable Accommodations

UWO provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact hroffice@uwosh.eduor 920-424-1166. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWO is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin's Open Records Law. UWO will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin's Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of "final candidates" and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.

CBC & Reference Check Policy
All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check, work authorization, and verification of education. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.

Work Authorization
Unless otherwise indicated in the job posting, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. UW Oshkosh is not an e-verify employer; therefore, STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the UWO Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see https://uwosh.edu/police/, or call UWO Police Department, at (920) 424-1212 for a paper copy.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.