Financial Officer III

Overview:

The Business Services team at Utah State University invites applications for a Financial Officer III position to support the College of Agriculture \& Natural Resources. Reporting to the Executive Director of Financial Operations, this position serves as the principal financial advisor to the Dean, overseeing budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and financial strategy.

The Financial Officer III provides leadership to a team of financial staff, ensuring compliance with university policies, promoting financial stewardship, and enabling informed decision\-making that advances institutional goals. The position plays a key role in developing sustainable financial models, optimizing resource utilization, and leading financial process improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning \& Forecasting

• Drives multi\-year strategic financial planning aligned with institutional goals.
• Direct comprehensive financial strategy, forecasting, and resource planning for the college or division.
• Partner with senior leadership to design and implement financial frameworks supporting growth, innovation, and sustainability.
• Provide executive\-level financial modeling and analysis for strategic initiatives, capital projects, and new programs.
• Oversee the integration of financial, operational, and academic data to support evidence\-based decision\-making.
• Lead cross\-unit financial planning sessions to ensure alignment with university priorities.

Governance \& Risk Management

• Establish and maintain robust financial governance, internal controls, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Oversee financial compliance with all state, federal, and institutional requirements.
• Evaluate the impact of policy or regulatory changes on college/division financial operations and recommend adaptations.
• Lead internal audit preparation, ensuring readiness and adherence to best practices.
• Synthesizes policy, regulatory, and financial data to inform executive decisions.
• Anticipates systemic risks; leads financial contingency planning and reserves strategy.

Operational Oversight \& Reporting

• Oversee all financial reporting and performance metrics for the division.
• Ensure fiscal accountabilities for all restricted, unrestricted, and auxiliary funds.
• Provide quarterly and annual reports to leadership detailing fiscal health, performance, and trend analysis.
• Integrate data analytics and technology to enhance accuracy, transparency, and forecasting capability.
• Designs comprehensive financial structures and governance models.

Financial Review and Reconciliation

• Evaluates high\-impact projects and complex funding agreements at executive level.
• Review and reconcile financial transactions to ensure expenditures are allocable, reasonable, and allowable in accordance with university policy, funding requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Verify compliance for funds with specific use restrictions, including course fees, service centers, grants, scholarships, endowment spendable accounts, operating budgets, and other assigned funding sources.

Financial Department Engagement and Team Leadership

• Lead a large financial operations team, setting strategic goals and performance standards.
• Mentor and develop future financial leaders within the organization.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and strengthen customer service.
• Build partnerships with institutional offices (e.g., Budget, HR, Sponsored Programs) to advance coordinated financial management.
• Advise senior leadership on the implications of Finance policies, initiatives, and enterprise\-level decisions.
• Collaborate with Finance leadership to shape and advance university\-wide financial strategies, governance, and stewardship frameworks.
• Lead or co\-chair institutional committees or task forces that align college/division financial operations with broader Finance objectives.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, economics, or related field; or equivalent advanced learning attained through experience.
• Minimum of 9 years of related work experience, including 5 years of leadership experience (e.g. experience leading a team, project, program, and/or function).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, economics, or related field.
• Extensive experience managing complex budgets in a higher education or large public\-sector environment.

Required Documents:

Along with the online application, please attach:

• Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
• Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application (iForm)
• Contact information for Professional Reference to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1\-5”

\\Document size may not exceed 10 MB.\\

Advertised Salary: Commensurate with experience ADA:

• Office Setting: Instructional designers typically work in an office setting, either on campus, or remotely from home. The workspace is usually equipped with a computer, software tools, and other necessary resources.
• Schedule: Standard working hours are common, but flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines. Remote work options are often available, allowing for a more flexible schedule.
• Collaboration: Frequent collaboration with subject matter experts, educators, and other stakeholders is essential. This can involve meetings, brainstorming sessions, and feedback loops.
• Technology Use: Regular use of office software (e.g., Excel, Outlook, ERP systems).
• Sitting and Standing: The role involves long periods of sitting and working at a computer. Ergonomic furniture and regular breaks are important to maintain comfort and health.
• Visual Strain: Prolonged screen time can lead to eye strain, so it's important to take regular breaks and use proper lighting.
• Minimal Physical Exertion: The job generally requires minimal physical exertion, but occasional lifting of materials or equipment may be necessary.
• Travel: There may be occasional travel to attend conferences, training sessions, or meetings with team members or customers.
• Compliance \& Confidentiality: Must adhere to data security and confidentiality standards when handling sensitive financial and personnel information.

University Highlights:

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land\-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high\-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac\-12 Conference beginning in the 2026\-2027 season. The Aggies’ long\-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular\-season and tournament championships in women’s volleyball, three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in women’s soccer conference championships, and a first\-ever conference championship for gymnastics, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023\. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435\) 797\-0122 or hr@usu.edu.

• updated 12/2025

Notice of Non\-discrimination:

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex\-segregated spaces.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non\-discrimination policies: Matthew Pinner

Executive Director

Civil Rights \& Title IX Office

matthew.pinner@usu.edu

435\-797\-1266 \| Old Main Rm. 401D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322 Cody Carmichael

Title IX Coordinator

cody.carmichael@usu.edu

435\-797\-1266 \| Old Main Rm. 402D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non\-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303\-844\-5695\| OCR.Denver@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800\-421\-3481 \| OCR@ed.gov

• updated 10/2025