Chief Financial Officer, Tippie College of Business
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) plays a pivotal role in shaping the financial strategy of the Tippie College of Business, ensuring that resource planning and investment decisions support the college’s long-term academic and institutional objectives. As a strategic advisor and business partner to the Dean and senior leadership team, the CFO is instrumental in promoting fiscal sustainability, operational excellence, and strategic growth. The CFO leads the Financial Operations team and oversees all aspects of financial management, including budgeting, accounting, financial analysis, forecasting, reporting, and regulatory compliance.
The successful candidate will bring strategic insight, exceptional analytical capability, and a strong record of integrity and leadership. They will build trusted partnerships across the university community and external stakeholders to advance the college’s goals and financial sustainability.
This position has as solid line reporting relationship to the Dean of the Tippie College and a dotted line reporting relationship to the University of Iowa Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.
Job Duties and Tasks
- Lead comprehensive scenario planning and financial modeling to evaluate strategic alternatives, assess trade-offs, and inform high-stakes decisions that strengthen the college’s long-term financial sustainability.
- Oversee the development and execution of the college’s annual operating budget across ~ 20 departments, institutes, and centers, ensuring alignment with collegiate priorities, enrollment trends, and non-tuition-based revenues.
- Translate complex financial information into strategic guidance for decision-makers across academic and administrative units.
- Lead, mentor, and develop the Tippie College of Business Financial Operations team, fostering a high-performing and collaborative culture.
Get to know the Tippie College of Business
Since 1847, the Tippie College of Business has cultivated a legacy of innovation, thought leadership, and excellence in business education. We have nearly 6,000 students within undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programs spanning six academic departments—accounting, business analytics, economics, finance, marketing, and management and entrepreneurship. We are eight centers and institutes, and four student-managed endowment funds. We’re over 59,000 alumni—and growing. Tippie is regularly listed in top business school rankings. We also hold the gold standard of accreditations, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and have maintained the accreditation for over 95 years (since 1923).
But who we are is not just in the curriculum we curate—it’s also in the community we create. Our leadership embraces our responsibility to pursue academic excellence within a welcoming environment where every student can thrive. More than 150 years after our founding, we continue to be a place where students can grow and flourish in their professional or academic careers.
Salary: $125,000-$160,000
This position is eligible for hybrid work within Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.
To obtain the full job description including key areas of responsibility, technical competencies, and desirable qualifications, please contact joshua-gulick@uiowa.edu
Education Requirement
- Master’s degree in Accounting or Business, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Required Qualifications
- A minimum of 7-9 years of experience of progressive financial accounting, with demonstrated responsibility for strategic financial planning and oversight.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret complex financial data and prepare detailed and accurate reports.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to translate financial information into actionable insights for a varied audience.
- Supervisory experience with professional staff.
- Significant experience developing and overseeing multi-department budgets.
- Demonstrated ability to provide strategic recommendations based on financial analysis.
- Commitment to promoting a welcoming and respectful workplace environment.
Desired Qualifications
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in financial accounting in a higher education setting.
- Experience with systems used at the University of Iowa; e.g. EFR, APPO PeopleSoft, GL Journal Entry-transfers, HRIS, Payroll, WhoKey Administration, iPlan system.
- University academic program experience with complex undergraduate, masters, and PhD programs.
- Two or more years working with UI Center for Advancement, or a similar entity’s accounts and procedures.
- Experience with grants and knowledge of grant accounting policies and procedures.
- Experience with student financial aid, scholarships, facilities investments, and external partnerships.
Application Details:
In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. For questions, contact Josh Gulick at joshua-gulick@uiowa.edu.
Benefits Highlights:
Regular salaried position. Pay Level 7A. Located in Iowa City, Iowa.
Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.
For more information about Why Iowa? Click here.
About Iowa
Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success. Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance. Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation. Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.
Equal opportunity employer
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.
