Vice President for Finance and Operations/Chief Operating Officer

Vice President for Finance and Operations/Chief Operating Officer

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota

The University of North Dakota (UND) – the state’s flagship public research university, Carnegie R1 institution, and member of NCAA Division I athletics – seeks a strategic, ambitious, and highly collaborative leader to serve as its next Vice President for Finance and Operations/Chief Operating Officer (VPFO/COO). UND is also home to North Dakota’s only law school and medical school, underscoring its unique role in educating the state’s professionals and serving communities across North Dakota. This is an extraordinary opportunity to join a university experiencing significant momentum, marked by sustained enrollment growth, expanding research activity, major investments in facilities and infrastructure, and a strong statewide reputation among policymakers, industry leaders, alumni, and communities across North Dakota and the nation.

Guided by the UND LEADS strategic plan, the University has achieved five consecutive years of enrollment growth, expanded its research enterprise, strengthened partnerships across North Dakota and beyond, and continues to invest significantly in academic excellence, research infrastructure, and campus transformation. Today, UND enrolls nearly 16,000 students, employs approximately 1,500 faculty and more than 2,300 staff, and offers a comprehensive portfolio of undergraduate, graduate, professional, and research programs. The University is nationally recognized for excellence in aviation and aerospace, housing one of the premier collegiate aviation programs in the United States, as well as strengths in health sciences, nursing, medicine, engineering, energy, unmanned systems, national security research, and the ecology of the Northern Plains. UND is also the host of a nationally-recognized Writers Conference.

Reporting directly to President Andrew Armacost and serving as a member of the University’s Executive Council, the VPFO/COO is UND’s chief financial and operating officer and one of the institution’s most influential strategic leaders. The VPFO/COO works closely with the President, Provost, deans, and senior administrators to align financial planning, workforce strategy, facilities, capital investment, public safety, compliance, and operational effectiveness with the University’s strategic priorities.

UND operates with annual revenue in excess of $720 million, manages approximately $953 million in capital assets, and has grown into one of the nation’s newest Carnegie R1 universities with annual research expenditures approaching $250 million. The University is currently advancing more than $150 million in active and planned capital projects, including major investments in STEM facilities, research infrastructure, deferred maintenance, and student-centered campus improvements. These initiatives create an exceptional opportunity for a leader energized by institutional growth, operational excellence, and long-term stewardship.

The VPFO/COO oversees eight direct reports and approximately 750 staff and leads a broad portfolio that includes Finance, Human Resources, Procurement, Treasury, Resource Planning and Allocation, Facilities and Operations, Capital Planning and Construction, Public Safety, Emergency Management, Risk Management, Civil Rights and Title IX, Disability Resources, Community and Belonging, and the Chester Fritz Performing Arts Center. Through a talented team of senior leaders and professional staff, the VPFO/COO ensures that the University’s financial, physical, technological, and human resources are aligned to advance UND’s mission and strategic aspirations.

A distinguishing aspect of the VPFO/COO role is its visibility and influence both on campus and across North Dakota. The VPFO/COO serves as a key liaison to the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education, the North Dakota University System (with 11 public institutions), state agencies, legislative leaders, and university-affiliated nonprofits (such as the UND Alumni Association and Foundation, the Center for Innovation and Foundation, the Ralph Engelstad Arena, and the Energy & Environmental Research Center), and acts as one of the University’s principal advocates for funding, capital investment, research growth, and institutional priorities. North Dakota’s uniquely collaborative environment, across a range of state agencies and partners, provides an unusual opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with policymakers and leaders within the System to help shape the future of higher education throughout the state.

UND seeks a leader who embraces partnership and shared governance, understands the intersection of academic priorities and financial strategy, promotes a welcoming and pluralistic campus community, and is energized by the University’s strategic goals and aspirations. The successful candidate will be a disciplined financial steward, exceptional communicator and public speaker, and trusted relationship builder who can navigate complexity, foster innovation, champion transparency and accountability, and leverage emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to strengthen institutional effectiveness while preserving the human-centered culture that defines UND. Most importantly, UND seeks a leader who is eager to join a highly collaborative executive team and help shape the future of one of the nation’s fastest-rising public research universities.

UND has engaged the executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to assist in the recruitment of the Vice President for Finance and Operations/Chief Operating Officer. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website using the following link: https://www.i msearch.com/open-searches/university-north-dakota/vice-president-finance-operationschief-operating-officer

Dan Rodas, Partner

Stephanie Simon, Senior Associate

Tiffany Hendren, Senior Search Coordinator

Isaacson, Miller

Additional University information may be found at UND.edu/careers.

EEO STATEMENT

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability or protected veteran status. People with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

VETERANS PREFERENCE

Veterans claiming preference must submit all proof of eligibility by the closing date. Proof of eligibility includes a DD-214 or NGB 22 and, if claiming disabled status, a current letter of disability from the VA dated within the past 12 months.

Clery Statement

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University of North Dakota publishes an Annual Security & Fire Safety Report. The report includes the University’s policies, procedures and programs concerning safety and security, as well as three years of crime statistics for our campus. Prospective employees are entitled to a copy of this report. The report and statistical data can be found online at UND.edu/annual-security-report.

A paper copy of the report may also be requested from the UND Police Department located at 3851 Campus Road, Grand Forks, N.D. 58202.

Confidentiality of Application Materials

Pursuant to NDCC 44-04-18.27, applications and any records related to the applications that identify an applicant are confidential, except records related to the finalists of the position, which are open to the public after the search committee has identified three or more finalists who will be invited to campus. Successful completion of a criminal history background check on the finalist is required.

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