Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist University of Texas Permian Basin in its search for Founding Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Business Affairs and Controller.

This is a rare opportunity to join the University of Texas Permian Basin, a part of the prestigious 14 institution UT system, in this newly created position of Founding Assistant Vice President for Business Affairs and Controller. Critical for success are strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret financial results along with a deep understanding of financial analysis and forecasting. In this elevated role, the AVPBAC will fulfill a visible and critical role directly assisting the Senior Vice President for Business Affairs in managing all functions. The ideal candidate is highly collaborative with a focus and previous success with process improvement.

The AVP and Controller oversees and administratively manages the activities of the Accounting and Finance Department including the Bursar, Student Accounts, Grants Accounting, and Purchasing. This position is responsible for timely and accurate maintenance of the general ledger and financial management reporting including the monthly financial report, the annual financial report, the legislative appropriations request, all reports required by UTSYS, the State Comptroller, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Legislative Budget Board, and other ad hoc or routine required reporting. The ideal candidate will be able to employ strong analytical skills to interpret financial results as UTPB moves into long-range planning and forecasting.

This position will also assist in planning, administering, and coordinating financial activities and operational procedures of the organizational units within the Division of Business Affairs and university. Will coordinate and direct the implementation of fiscal policies, procedures, risk management, financial analysis, and financial forecasting as well as other duties assigned by the Senior Vice President for Business Affairs.  This role requires a deep understanding of financial analysis, forecasting, and budgeting, as well as experience with financial reporting and regulatory compliance. 

The AVP and Controller should have a strong background in accounting and finance, including a comprehensive understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), GASB Pronouncements, and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

This position reports to Senior Vice President for Business Affairs and offers excellent benefits. 

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Serves in a leadership capacity to work with senior leadership in the Business Affairs division and throughout the university. 
• Management and supervision of the Accounting Services Office with an emphasis on strong customer service. 
• Responsible for the preparation, monitoring, and submission of a timely and accurate month-end and year-end closing process, the submission of the Annual Financial Report, and the Monthly Financial Report.  
• Coordinates the year-end closing process across all relevant departments.  
• Oversee the AFR audit process and any other financial reporting or accounting-related audits, including coordination of the timely and accurate delivery of requested schedules and oversight of answers made to Internal Audit, UT System external auditors, or the State Auditor's Office. 
• Responsible for establishing, monitoring, and maintaining all internal control processes required to ensure the safeguarding of all university assets and resources. 
• Develops, implements, and presents training to the university community on policies and procedures.  
• Ensures compliance with the University policies and procedures as well as those required by UT System, State, and Federal entities. 
• Reviews and recommends changes to improve operational effectiveness. Ensures proper implementation of technology concerning fiscal or accounting systems. 
• Provides guidance, consultation, and assistance to division and campus leaders in understanding and fulfilling their responsibilities related to budgets, procurement, and other financial matters.  
• Ensures the provision of financial services and management that enables the University to achieve operational and strategic goals and initiatives in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.  
• Assist the Vice President for Business Affairs in providing overall leadership and guidance to senior managers in the various departments with the division. This includes supervising and providing guidance to direct reports and their staff; fostering a collaborative and service-oriented culture; ensuring processes and procedures follow university, state, and federal regulations; ensuring accounting functions, general ledger transactions, and reporting functions are performed accurately and on a timely basis; promoting continuous process quality and efficiency improvements when assessing administrative functions. 
• Oversees the assessment and reporting of the university's critical success factors and other key performance and efficiency indicators. 
• Other duties as assigned.

EXPECTATIONS: 

Administrative: 

• Ability to handle highly confidential material, understanding that all University information should only be disclosed to others who have a need to know, for legitimate business or educational reasons. Can exercise and apply sound judgment and decision-making skills as well as the ability to maintain integrity and confidentiality of data. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, PeopleSoft, and PowerPoint. 
• Demonstrates successful interpersonal skills to facilitate collaboration, operational improvements, and the implementation of administrative best practices. Solid conceptual, innovative, and strategic thinking ability. 
• Collaborates with departments and program units within the University and the University of Texas System to fulfill financial reporting needs and to achieve the University’s strategic goals. 
• Possesses solid financial, analytical, business, and problem-solving skills and a technical accounting background to establish and maintain accounting principles, practices, and procedures.   Competency to ensure proper accounting of University transactions and to assure the protection of assets through proper existence and adherence to adequate internal controls.  
• Ability to effectively interpret and explain detailed accounting reports and able to express ideas effectively in oral and written form; however, some situations may require the ability to relay complex or adverse information with tact and diplomacy.   
• Engaging and effective mentor to the Business Affairs division staff, and skilled in building and/or enhancing a strong and high functioning internal operation.  
• Collaborates effectively with an experienced leadership team, outstanding faculty and staff, proud alumni, UT System Administration, and the Board of Regents committed to ensuring that the University has sufficient resources to excel in its mission to create highly educated students committed to lives of citizenship and service. 
• Maintain professionalism when dealing with all staff and other customers while fostering positive working relationships. Successful working independently as well as part of a team. Accepts and provides effective supervision, assignments, change and correction.  
• Provide timely and accurate communication with administration, faculty, students, and community members. 
• Work effectively, decisively, and flexibly in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.  
• Ability to effectively express ideas in oral and written form to represent the University to the public for the promotion of Business Affairs and the University.  Competence to compose and edit correspondence, proposals and reports that may require the ability to relay complex or adverse information with tact and diplomacy.   

Compliance:  

• Adhere to the policies and procedures established by the University of Texas System Board of Regents, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the University of Texas Permian Basin. 
• Ensures that he/she and his/her division complies with all State and Federal rules and regulations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A strong record of accomplishment in higher education, a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field.
• Seven years of progressively responsible accounting or related experience and working knowledge of GASB accounting and financial reporting standards.
• At least four years at a management level.
• At least three years of experience with an ERP system for accounting and financial reporting functions.
• Demonstrated ability to work with senior level managers and ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and students.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, and analytical skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Higher education experience.
• CPA
• MBA
• PeopleSoft FMS experience.
• Familiarity with education organizational and governance structures, as well as the goals and objectives of a public University.   

About the Institution

The University of Texas Permian Basin is located in Odessa, Texas. It was authorized by the Texas Legislature in 1969 and founded in 1973. The Permian Basin is one of the fastest-growing, culturally vibrant, economically invigorated regions of the country - full of industry, culture, and wide-open spaces. At the academic heart of this area sits The University of Texas Permian Basin - which every year, delivers smart, savvy leaders across the U.S.

As a regional, comprehensive institution, The University of Texas Permian Basin serves a diverse community of students from the region, the state, and beyond. Through excellence in student-centered teaching, learning, research, and public service, the University cultivates engaged citizens and impacts lives while advancing the technology and public interests of West Texas.

Our vision is that the University of Texas Permian Basin will be an innovative, responsive university that thinks large and lives local. We will lead in advancing education, research, economic competitiveness, and cultural enrichment.

To see how UT Permian Basin is committed to serving the region and becoming a student-focused and value-driven institution, view our vision for the future.
 
Living in the Area

There’s no place quite like the Permian Basin—a largely untouched beauty dotted with pockets of modern development. Home of UT Permian Basin’s main campus, Odessa is one of the largest cities in West Texas. A diverse city with a rich history dating back to the 1880s, Odessa has undergone major transformations over the last two decades. Not long ago, Forbes Magazine ranked Odessa as one of the fastest-growing small cities in the United States. As the home to former President George H. W. Bush and major global corporations—like Chevron and Concho—Odessa offers a depth of prestige and opportunity that few cities like it can match.

Stretching from eastern New Mexico and covering most of West Texas (Lubbock to the north, the Rio Grande Valley to the south), the Permian Basin is a collection of smaller basins. But in all, the Permian Basin covers 75,000 square miles—making it one of the larger basins in North America. At the beginning of the 21st century, the Permian Basin—which had once been the source of vast oil supplies—seemed to be fading in importance. Thanks to advancements in energy exploration, the Permian Basin was quickly named the largest oil reserve on the planet. Its backyard is expected to fuel the American and global economies for at least the next two decades.

As more and more energy is sourced, other industries have appeared alongside it—including business and finance, healthcare, education, construction, digital technology, transportation, and public sector jobs. In other words, the latest “oil boom” has spurred a larger “economic boom” that is already paying major dividends to the students and professionals who are seizing this once-in-a-generation opportunity.

To Apply 

The successful candidate will require a valid driver’s license, the ability to travel, as well as successfully passing a criminal background check. 

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vitae. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to UTPBAVPController@acesrch.com  
Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominees’ name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com