Associate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Medical School and Office of Academic Clinical Affairs

Position Overview:

The Associate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Medical School and Office of Academic Clinical Affairs reports directly to the Executive Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the Medical School, with a dotted line to the Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations, and serves as a key member of the senior leadership team for the health sciences enterprise, collaborating closely with University Finance and Budget leadership; clinical department chairs and basic science department heads; University of Minnesota Physicians leadership; health system and hospital partners; campus and central university leaders. The AVP/CFO also represents the Medical School and OACA within University-wide financial leadership councils and external financial and regulatory forums, as appropriate, and has overall responsibility for financial strategy, management, reporting, and analysis for the Medical School and OACA, including academic departments (clinical and basic science), institutes and centers, clinical service lines, Dean's Office operational units, research administration financial oversight, faculty and physician compensation modeling, and long-term financial planning and capital strategy. The AVP/CFO ensures financial operations align with institutional strategy, regulatory requirements, and evolving healthcare and research funding landscapes.

The AVP/CFO will join UMN at a time of both transition and opportunity for the healthcare enterprise. In January 2026, the University, Fairview Health Services, and M Physicians reached a mediated 10-year agreement that will take effect in January 2027. The agreement-which replaces a prior agreement set to expire in 2026-includes significant investment in clinical facilities and academic medicine, as well as sustained funding for the Medical School. That same month, Dr. Carol Bradford was appointed Executive Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the Medical School (EVPHA/Dean). The position scope- which includes an elevated title spanning the health affairs enterprise-reflects a strategic shift toward a more integrated leadership model, combining medical school oversight with enterprise-wide health system governance to strengthen alignment across clinical, academic, and research missions during this period of organizational transformation. Learn more here.

In this context, the AVP/CFO will be expected to address the following key set of opportunities and challenges, working closely with Medical School and University leadership to successfully:

Develop, socialize, and execute an integrated enterprise financial strategy

The AVP/CFO will serve as the central financial strategist for the Medical School, responsible for developing, socializing, and executing a comprehensive enterprise-wide financial strategy that advances and sustains the institution's clinical, research, and education missions. This leader will guide long-range financial and capital planning, multi-year forecasting, and sustainability modeling across all fund types, ensuring alignment between financial resources and institutional priorities. Acting as a trusted advisor to the EVPHA/Dean and liaising effectively and transparently with senior university leadership, the AVP/CFO will provide proactive financial analysis and counsel to inform decision-making related to program expansion, clinical growth, research investment, and faculty recruitment, while identifying and mitigating risk and ensuring long-term financial resilience.

Provide oversight and leadership for budget and financial operations

The AVP/CFO will oversee the development, execution, and monitoring of annual operating and capital budgets, while routinely analyzing and communicating monthly and quarterly financial performance to highlight trends, risks, and opportunities. They will coordinate sophisticated financial modeling across clinical revenues, research funding, faculty practice operations, and educational programs, ensuring leaders have timely, accurate, and actionable information. In parallel, they will strengthen internal controls and enhance financial reporting systems to improve transparency, accountability, and decision support. The AVP/CFO will spearhead process improvement initiatives designed to streamline operations, reduce administrative burden, and foster a data-informed culture across the organization. Integral to this work is maintaining strong financial controls, integrity of reporting, and full compliance with University, state, federal, and regulatory requirements. Ensure funds flow alignment across the clinical enterprise In close partnership with M Physicians and clinical leadership, the AVP/CFO will play a central role in advancing funds flow and compensation models that support the long-term health of the clinical enterprise. This includes oversight of complex financial modeling for faculty and physician compensation, such as recruitment and retention pro formas, incentive structures, and staffing expansion analyses. The AVP/CFO will support value-based care initiatives and help the organization navigate an evolving healthcare reimbursement environment. In addition, they will collaborate in the negotiation and evaluation of clinical and academic partnership agreements, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and financial sustainability.

Align financial planning with academic and research priorities

The AVP/CFO will provide strategic oversight and guidance related to research funding, grant administration financial structures, and associated compliance requirements, and will align financial planning with academic priorities, faculty development goals, and departmental growth strategies, ensuring resources are deployed effectively to support excellence across the academic enterprise. Central to this work is integrating financial decision-making across the education, research, and clinical missions, reinforcing a holistic and mission-driven approach to resource stewardship

Lead, develop, and support a high-performing finance organization

The AVP/CFO leads a complex, decentralized, and matrixed finance organization and will oversee finance directors and department-level financial leaders serving the Medical School and OACA. To be successful, they will foster a collaborative, transparent, and service-oriented culture while mentoring and developing talent to strengthen enterprise-wide financial expertise. Building trusted partnerships with operational, clinical, research, and administrative leaders will be essential to advancing shared goals and enabling informed decision-making across the institution.

Leverage technology to drive change management and systems optimization

The AVP/CFO will assess financial systems, business processes, and data structures, implementing modernization and standardization initiatives where appropriate to improve efficiency, consistency, and insight. Leveraging technology and analytics, the role will enhance forecasting accuracy, reporting clarity, and operational effectiveness. Given the scale and complexity of the organization, the leader must excel at managing complex change initiatives that require broad stakeholder engagement, consensus-building, and clear communication.

Effectively advocate on behalf of UMN with external partners and stakeholders

The AVP/CFO will be a key leader for the University and will represent the Medical School and OACA in discussions with state agencies, healthcare partners, and other external stakeholders, articulating complex financial information in clear, strategic, and accessible terms. This includes supporting financial presentations to governance bodies and advisory groups and contributing to productive relationships that advance institutional priorities and long-term financial health.

Required Qualifications and Characteristics

While no one candidate will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional qualifications and personal attributes:

• Advanced degree (MBA, MHA, or related field) and/or CPA certification;
• Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible financial leadership experience in a complex healthcare, academic health center, or similarly large matrixed organization;
• At least 8 years of experience leading financial teams;
• Demonstrated experience in academic medicine, faculty practice plans, or health systems;
• Expertise in operating and capital budgeting, long-term financial planning, and financial modeling;
• Experience in physician compensation modeling and clinical funds flow structures;
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change and implement financial improvement initiatives; Exceptional written and oral communication skills with the ability to translate complex financial concepts for non-financial leaders; and
• Proven ability to build trust and collaborative partnerships across decentralized environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience in medical school financial management;
• Deep knowledge of healthcare reimbursement systems, research funding structures, and regulatory compliance; and
• Experience leading hybrid or distributed teams.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MEDICAL SCHOOL
Founded in 1888, UMN Medical School has a long history of educating physicians, advancing biomedical discovery, and delivering high-quality clinical care across Minnesota's urban and rural communities. It ranks twenty-fourth nationally in NIH funding and forms the core of a university-wide research portfolio exceeding one billion dollars annually. More than 1,500 residents and fellows train across the health sciences, contributing to a large, interdisciplinary teaching environment. The School includes 27 departments, nearly 3,000 faculty, 20 centers and institutes, and 29 degree programs. It ranks among the nation's top medical schools in NIH funding, with more than $296 million in sponsored research. The Twin Cities campus serves as a major hub for interdisciplinary science and clinical innovation; the Duluth campus focuses on training physicians for rural and American Indian/Alaska Native communities; and the St. Cloud campus, developed with CentraCare, offers a strong rural clinical training environment. UMN Medical School is closely affiliated with M Health Fairview, Hennepin Healthcare, the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, and Masonic Children's Hospital, providing a broad and diverse clinical platform across tertiary, quaternary, trauma, pediatric, and community settings. It sits within Minnesota's "Medical Alley," one of the nation's most robust medical technology and device development hubs, offering unique opportunities for translational research, clinical trials, and industry collaboration.

THE OFFICE OF ACADEMIC CLINICAL AFFAIRS

The Office of Academic Clinical Affairs (OACA), overseen by the Executive Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine, is the hub for UMN's healthcare enterprise. OACA is the organizational home to Masonic Cancer Center, UMN's NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, the CTSA-awarded Clinical Translational Science Institute, and the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. OACA leverages and broadens interdisciplinary opportunities across UMN and supports infrastructure for clinical research and training, advancing the University's mission by:

• Developing partnerships statewide in clinical research, training, and practice.
• Bringing together strengths and talents from across the University via its centers and institutes;
• Preparing learners with interprofessional clinical training.
• Driving cross-disciplinary, statewide collaborations that tackle today's complex health issues.

OACA's activities are centered on seeding new collaborations. Current priorities include developing and training the health care workforce of tomorrow, driving cross-disciplinary, statewide collaborations to tackle today's complex issues, expanding UMN's interprofessional work with clinical partners, working to partner statewide on health care access and care challenges, and reducing the impact and incidence of cancer on Minnesotans.

Pay Range: $350,000-580,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Candidates must apply in two places to be fully considered:

University of Minnesota Careers Portal
Complete the online application through the University of Minnesota Careers site (the posting you are currently viewing), including submission of a cover letter and CV.

Isaacson, Miller Executive Search

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: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-minnesota-medical-school/associate-vice-president-and-chief-financial

Applications submitted to only one of these platforms will not be considered complete.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.