The University of Michigan-Dearborn, a comprehensive university ranked as the 4th top public regional university (US News and World Report) in the midwest, offers the internationally recognized Michigan degrees rooted in a commitment to serve and impact southeast Michigan.  

The university seeks a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs (VCBA) who acts as the Chief Financial Officer with an annual total budget of approximately $197M.

With an enrollment of just under 8,800 undergraduate and graduate students, UM-Dearborn is an inclusive, student-focused institution distinguished by its commitment to excellence in teaching, learning, research and scholarship, as well as access, and affordability. Reporting to the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor will be a key member of the university’s senior leadership team, working to develop and implement an integrated and robust administrative support structure, business plan and budget model positioning the university for long-term growth and future success.

UM-Dearborn comprises four colleges (Arts, Sciences and Letters; Business; Education, Health and Human Services; and Engineering and Computer Science) and is home to a highly-diverse student body hailing from 80 birth countries. The university earned the distinction of a Carnegie Community Engaged University – awarded to only 361 campuses nationwide – and recognizes the university’s commitment to metropolitan Detroit and the greater region through consequential teaching, learning, research and service. 

UM-Dearborn has over 55,000 living alumni, 80 percent of whom reside in Michigan. Students at University of Michigan-Dearborn enjoy the benefits of an intimate campus environment combined with the world renowned University of Michigan brand. Students also benefit from strong, local industry partnerships that often lead to opportunities for internship experience and career placement after graduation. 

Job Description and Key Responsibilities:

The Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs is responsible for business and financial operations at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. The Vice Chancellor will provide leadership and strategic oversight of financial services, facilities and operations, procurement and contracts and human resources. The role also has campus level responsibility for police and public safety and emergency management. This individual will work to help the chancellor realize his agenda for the campus and will partner with him to work collaboratively with the Provost and other senior academic and administrative leaders to implement and assist in the development of strategic goals and objectives that advance the University of Michigan-Dearborn's mission.  

The Vice Chancellor will be responsible for a broad range of fiscal and operational activities and functions, including budget development and implementation, to ensure effective operations and the achievement of university objectives in a cost effective manner. Additionally, the VCBA will assist the campus community in maintaining fiscal integrity and accurate reporting by developing and administering University policies and procedures designed to effectively procure, manage and deploy personnel and infrastructure necessary to provide an attractive, safe, functional and efficient campus and a supportive working atmosphere based on respect, trust and appreciation.

The VCBA will play an important role in several key initiatives: our new strategic plan, and a Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) plan being developed in partnership with our Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and a cross-campus team. The VCBA will also implement a new financial model, based on an appropriately designed Responsibility Centered Management (RCM), and will be responsible for aligning fiscal systems and resources to best support the University’s strategic needs.  

Key Responsibilities: 

• On all matters related to the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s finances and budget, serve as chief advisor to the Chancellor and as directed liaison to University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. 
• Develop, implement and maintain transformative and comprehensive business plan development and financial planning functions that align with the University’s strategy and mission.
• Oversee all aspects of the budgeting and planning process, for a budget of $197 million, including the implementation of a Responsibility Centered Management (RCM) budget model, ensuring financial decisions align with University’s goals, including but not limited to Strategic Enrollment Management and Return on Investment Strategies. 
• Improve financial competencies throughout campus, including designing training programs, including designing training programs, to ensure clear understanding of the new zero based budgeting methodology.
• Ensure campus compliance with the annual sub-certification process.
• Oversee the human resources team; continuously improve the institution’s ability to attract, develop, and retain the talent needed to reach its ambitious goals. 
• Oversee the planning, construction, and maintenance of the physical plant, including needed capital investments and future planning.
• Provide campus-level support of the police and public safety function, in collaboration with the Executive Director of Police and Public Safety for the University of Michigan.
• Drive recommendations for strategic resource allocations, as well as adjustments in response to changes in revenue, both current and projected through a quantitative and data-driven focus.  
• Negotiate business operations contracts.
• Develop a strategic communications plan for business affairs.  
• Prepare budget to actual reporting, interim forecasts, long-range financial plans and ad hoc financial analysis.
• Develop documents for presentation to the Chancellor, the University President , the Board of Regents and others in senior leadership roles. 
• Provide leadership and guidance to the 108 staff in business affairs

The  Ideal Candidate will bring: 

Visionary leadership

• Ability to drive broad outcomes-based strategic initiatives while overseeing day-to-day management and project responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing data and analytics to inform decision making, goal setting, and performance measurements. 
• Ability to help shape the creation of the university’s administrative support structure and strategy with vision and creativity.
• An entrepreneurial outlook and eye to new possibilities and emerging challenges. 
• An ability to foster a positive working environment, build and motivate a team and to inspire commitment and dedication to one’s work; focusing on positive leadership qualities and values will be key to success in this role.

 Effectiveness and expertise in organizational change management

• Strong understanding of current national and global best practices and trends in the management of business and fiscal matters within higher education.
• Demonstrated capacity to conduct strategic planning, build consensus, determine institutional readiness for change and act decisively in plan implementation.
• Ability to develop and clearly communicate institutional strategies, key measures of institutional success and accountabilities to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Respect for the value of each person’s contributions to a team, as well as a demonstrated commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusion. 
• Experience with data driven and informed decision making in a complex high paced environment.
• Ability to produce forward-looking, transparent strategic plans and budgets that link expenditures to outcomes.