VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION at The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education in Boulder, Colorado

Job Description:

VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE, pronounced wit-chee) seeks a dynamic, effective, and forward-thinking leader to join its senior leadership team as its next Vice President, Finance and Administration (VPFA).

Reporting to the President, the VPFA of WICHE is responsible for overseeing the financial health and sustainability of the organization, ensuring effective management of its nearly $19.5 million annual operating budget. This includes strategic financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations and reporting requirements. Additionally, the VPFA manages the distribution of over $14.8 million in Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP) fees, ensuring the timely and accurate transfer of funds from participating states and territories to institutions supporting students in high-demand health fields. Through careful stewardship of resources, the VPFA plays a critical role in supporting WICHEs mission to improve access to higher education and workforce development across the Western region.

The VPFA has overall responsibility for all accounting functions, grant and contract administration and budget monitoring, and all audit processes and procedures. During meetings of WICHEs governing body, the Commission, the VPFA presents the status of the overall budget and financial picture, ensuring that WICHE Commissioners are informed about WICHEs financial health. The VPFA is responsible for daily operations and all aspects of the WICHE accounting data processing system, payroll, cash receipts, accounts payable, accounts receivable, supply/physical facilities management, equipment depreciation, and grant expenditure reports and invoicing. The VPFA supervises a small but mighty team of accounting staff, currently consisting of an Accountant I and Accounting Specialist and is ultimately responsible for their performance.

Accounting Operations:

The VPFA oversees all aspects of WICHEs accounting and payroll systems, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely processing. This includes managing all accounts, revenues, payments, and internal transactions; implementing and interpreting accounting policies; and supervising payroll through ADP, including retirement contributions, benefit deductions, and tax withholdings. The VPFA also maintains WICHEs inventory and depreciation schedules.

Working closely with staff, the VPFA addresses unique accounting issues, handles monthly entries (cash flow, interest, adjustments), monitors receivables, reconciles clearing accounts, and prepares journal entries to ensure the accuracy of month-end financials.

Audit Preparation:

The VPFA leads WICHEs annual financial audit, coordinating with the external audit firm and preparing key documents, including receivables, deferred revenue, interest schedules, and the trial balance. Responsibilities include year-end accruals, closing entries, depreciation, and final grant and contract adjustments. The VPFA also ensures accurate recording of employee benefit expenses and provides auditors with required schedules and responses throughout the process.

Grant and Contract Administration:

The VPFA supports grant and contract budgeting, ensures accurate setup of new awards, and oversees related financial reporting. They review agreements, assign accounts, record budgets and revenue, manage billing and payment follow-up, and handle federal cash draw requests to ensure proper fund receipt and accounting.

Miscellaneous:

The VPFA monitors accounts receivable and all grant and contracts receivables; assists with the prepare file tax form 990 each year for WICHE; and other duties and responsibilities deemed necessary to enable the efficient and effective functioning of WICHE accounting activities and services.

Travel:

The VPFA travels to WICHE Commission meetings twice per year and attends Executive Committee meetings. In addition, there may be travel to professional conferences as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 10 years of increasingly responsible fiscal management and leadership roles in a complex organizational structure, preferably in higher education or government. Demonstrated management experience in leading effective finance operations with a significant budget funded by a wide range of grants and contracts. A bachelors degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., business administration, public administration, accounting, finance) from an accredited college or university. Demonstrated experience in human resources leadership, including talent management, employee relations, organizational development, and ensuring compliance with employment laws and institutional policies. Exceptional management, interpersonal, and communication skills, which include managing change effectively, handling complex financial and administrative operations, and developing and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders through outstanding oral and written communication. Demonstrated engagement in innovative problem-solving and ability to leverage limited resources for impactful results Demonstrated ability of exercising good, fair judgment in decision making. High level of competence in Microsoft Office 365 software, including MS Excel.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A masters degree in an appropriate discipline (e.g., business administration, public administration, accounting, finance) from an accredited college or university. Certified Public Accountant. Extensive experience in higher education finance and administration as a senior financial officer. Experience with AccuFund, WICHEs financial management system. Experience in a state agency, higher education institution, nonprofit, or research organization funded in part by a wide range of grants and contracts.

DESIRED LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES:

• Strategic Leadership Fiscal Stewardship and Expertise Collaborative and Inclusive Leadership Integrity and Ethical Judgment Change Management and Adaptability Communication and Transparency Commitment to Mission and Public Service Operational and Administrative Excellence

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

This is a Full Time - Exempt position. The salary range is $160,000 - $170,000. WICHE offers a competitive benefits package which includes medical insurance with generous employer contribution to health savings account (H.S.A.), dental, life, and disability insurance; flexible spending accounts (medical and dependent care); 403(b) retirement plan with employer match of 200% on employee contributions up to 5% after six full months of employment; and paid vacation, sick and personal time as well as paid family leave.

WICHE:

Since 1953, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education has been strengthening higher education, workforce development, and behavioral health throughout the region. From promoting high-quality, affordable postsecondary education to helping the West get the most from their technology investments and addressing behavioral health challenges, WICHE improves lives across the region through innovation, cooperation, resource sharing, and sound public policy.

The WICHE region includes15 states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming) and the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States (American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau). WICHEs 48 commissionersare appointed by the governors of the 15 Western states and, in the case of the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States, the presidents of the three sovereign nations. Commission activities are funded in part through annual dues paid by region members and in part through grants and sponsorships.

One of four regional interstate higher education compacts in the United States, WICHE was created as a body corporate and an agency of each compacting state and territory through theWestern Regional Education Compact. WICHE functions not only as an interstate compact but is also recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code.

Mission: The member states and Pacific Island members of the Commission work collaboratively to expand educational access and excellence for all residents of the West. By promoting

innovation, cooperation, resource sharing, and sound public policy among states and institutions, WICHE strengthens higher educations contributions to the regions social, economic, and civic life.

FUN FACTS:

Some of WICHEs key programs, services, and initiatives, include:

Student Access Programs: Approximately 52,610 students have saved a total of $671 million in academic year (AY) 2024-25 through these programs:

• More than 49,000 undergraduate students have saved $615.6 million through the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE).
• Nearly 3,000 graduate students have saved $40 million through the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP).
• More than 560 professional healthcare students have saved $15 million through the Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP).

Joint Purchasing Programs: Through a partnership with the Midwestern Higher Education Compact, WICHE offers cost-savings programs on technology contracts and student health plans, which in AY 2024 saved 9% on costs for education, governmental, and nonprofit organizations in the West.

Trusted Research, Data, and Policy Analysis: WICHEs team of experts and researchers study issues like workforce needs, student success, and higher education affordability at the institution, state, regional, and even national level. For example, released every four years since 1979, WICHEs analysis about high school graduation projections, Knocking at the College Door, is an essential resource for policymakers, decision-makers, researchers, and planners in education and workforce development, and is regularly cited by major news outlets like NPR, Forbes, Yahoo News, CBS, Bloomberg, the Chronicle of Higher Education, and more.

Innovation: WCET WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies, was established in 1988 in response to the growing field of educational technology and the need to bring together higher education leaders, innovators, and practitioners. It has since become the leader in the practice, policy, and advocacy of digital learning in higher education.

Behavioral Health Leader since 1955: WICHEs founders understood that behavioral health support was critical to strengthening the region by providing expert technical assistance, consulting, and research services. Key programs include Together With Veterans, WICHEs rural Veteran suicide prevention program in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, has launched sites across 26 states, territories, and sovereign nations, and the Psychology Internship Consortia operates currently in nine states and Guam to meet the workforce and community needs for more mental health professionals.

Pacific Island Partnership: Since 2023, all eligible Pacific Island jurisdictions in the West have passed the necessary legislation to be a member of the WICHE region. The U.S. Department of the Interiors Office of Insular Affairs has awarded WICHE a renewable grant to cover the annual dues for all eligible U.S. Pacific territories and Freely Associated States, so its residents can access WICHEs tuition savings programs, workforce development support, behavioral health programs, and other resources.

Visionary Leadership Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: WICHE celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2023, representing the legacy its founders envisioned in the 1950s and signifying its continued commitment to building opportunity through regional collaboration and resource sharing in matters related to higher education and workforce now and for years to come.

THE STATE HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY CENTER:

WICHEs headquarters is located on the second floor of the State Higher Education Policy Center (SHEPC).

SHEPC (pronounced SHEP-C) is also home to the offices of two other nonprofit, higher education organizations: National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS)and State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO). Featuring a learning center and meeting facilities, SHEPC promotes informal cross-fertilization of thinking, as well as a quick dissemination of information and new ideas to the organizations and policymakers they serve. SHEPC also encourages synergy in activities, both in the selection of projects and in the concepts utilized within projects, and improved capacity for effective collaboration among the staff and members of the three organizations. Working together, the organizations provide rewarding educational experiences and opportunities for interns and graduate students.

The three organizations joint interest with WICHE in the building is codified under the auspices of SHEPC, incorporated under the laws of the state of Colorado. The founders of SHEPC purchased the building through a low-interest loan from the Ford Foundation.

THE LOCAL COMMUNITY:

Located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder, Colorado, offers a unique mix of innovation, natural beauty, and vibrant community life. A nationally recognized hub for research, entrepreneurship, and technology, Boulder is home to major industries and institutions like the University of Colorado and national labs.

With 300+ days of sunshine, outdoor recreation, a walkable downtown, and a strong cultural sceneincluding the upcoming Sundance Film FestivalBoulder consistently ranks among the best U.S. cities for health, wellness, and quality of life. Its excellent schools, environmental values, and welcoming community make it a great place to live and raise a family.

Surrounding communities like Louisville, Lafayette, Longmont, and Broomfield offer diverse housing, top schools, and family-friendly amenities, all within easy reach of Boulder and Denver.

NOMINATIONS AND EXPRESSION OF INTEREST:

The Search Committee invites letters of interest and nominations to be submitted directly to the search firm Anthem Executive. Correspondence should include a curriculum vitae and a letter of interest describing relevant experience and interest in the position. Submit materials to JR Wheless, Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, or Florene Stawowy at:

WICHEVPFA@AnthemExecutive.com

While applications and nominations will be accepted until a VPFA is selected, interested parties are strongly encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible to ensure consideration. Expressing interest is the first step in receiving consideration and does not make one an applicant for the position.

WICHE does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

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