Oregon State University (OSU), Oregon’s land grant institution, seeks a visionary, strategic, innovative, and collaborative leader to serve as the next Vice President for Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer (VPFA). This search is to conclude by the end of July, with the successful candidate commencing their duties by fall term.
Position profile
Oregon State University (OSU), Oregon’s land grant institution, seeks a visionary, strategic, innovative, and collaborative leader to serve as the next Vice President for Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer (VPFA). This presents a remarkable opportunity to join the OSU community, guided by the inspiring leadership of President Jayathi Murthy. Since her appointment in 2022, OSU has unveiled its latest strategic plan, Prosperity Widely Shared: The Oregon State Plan, and recently celebrated the groundbreaking for the Jen- Hsun Huang and Lori Mills Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex—a testament to the University’s commitment to advancing research and education. In this context, the VPFA will hold a pivotal role in ensuring the effective planning and allocation of financial resources to support OSU’s ambitious initiatives and strategic goals. Additionally, the OSU Foundation has launched the second university-wide fundraising campaign, Believe it: The Campaign for Oregon State University, which aims to raise $1.75 billion.
Founded in 1868 and recognized as one of only three land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S., Oregon State is an internationally renowned public research institution that draws students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. OSU is Oregon’s statewide university, with its main campus in Corvallis, OSU-Cascades in Bend, the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, the OSU Portland Center, and one of the largest and highest nationally-ranked online education campuses. Oregon State has a presence in all 36 Oregon counties, including agricultural research and Extension centers, and research forests. The University serves over 36,000 students, with more than 5,000 faculty and staff, and a $1.84 billion annual budget.
Central to OSU's mission is its commitment to providing exceptional 21st-century teaching, scholarship, research, discovery, innovation, and engagement. This commitment is underscored by its status as the largest university in Oregon, offering more majors, minors, and special programs than any other institution in the state. OSU's research enterprise is distinguished by excellence across various disciplines, with faculty contributing to the University's record-breaking research expenditures of $367 million.
Reporting to President Murthy and serving as a key advisor to the President and a member of the President’s cabinet, the VPFA will oversee a division with more than 600 employees and a comprehensive portfolio including all aspects of finance and treasury, business services, budgets and fiscal planning, capital planning and construction, facilities maintenance, sustainability planning, insurance, transportation, environmental health and safety, procurement and contracting, and public safety. The VPFA interacts regularly with the Board of Trustees and serves as an ex officio member of the Finance and Administration Committee (FAC), working closely with the FAC chair.
Oregon State seeks a VPFA who will not only drive the execution of the University’s ambitious initiatives but also provide strategic leadership in its next phase of growth and success. The ideal candidate will bring both enthusiasm and capacity to lead a large, multi-faceted operation while playing a pivotal role in advancing OSU’s goals and vision for the future. Further, the ideal candidate is experienced in working within a highly complex environment, engaging with both internal and external stakeholders.
A list of the desired qualifications and characteristics of the position are provided at the conclusion of this document along with contact information for inquiries, nominations, and confidential applications.
About DFA
The Division of Finance and Administration (DFA) at OSU is dedicated to exceptional stewardship and enhancement of the University’s financial and physical assets. With over 600 employees across 10 distinct units, DFA leaders collaborate closely with partners across the University to align OSU’s resources, infrastructure, and services with its teaching, research, and engagement mission.
Guided by OSU’s core values of accountability, diversity, integrity, respect, and social responsibility, the Division has developed the DFA Framework for Success to promote informed and transparent decision- making. The Division has established its own strategic initiatives built on this framework and OSU’s strategic goals. The four priorities for FY 2023-26 are:
- Advance a safe and inclusive environment
- Modernize administrative processes
- Modernize academic and research infrastructure
- Be an Oregon employer of choice (by improving recruitment and expanding a welcoming and supportive workplace culture)
About the search firm
Isaacson, Miller is a national executive search firm devoted to recruiting exceptional leaders for mission-driven organizations. Our founders created the firm in 1982, a time when civic institutions rarely used executive search firms.
The firm has grown steadily, and today, Isaacson, Miller stands alone as a large, national, retained search firm dedicated to the full range of public and civic missions. We have active practices in higher education, science and social science research, human services, conservation and environmental defense, human and civil rights advocacy, K-12 education, academic and community healthcare, philanthropy, arts and culture, and community-based economic development, with sub-specialties in almost every functional area.
Many of our clients and past candidates become part of an extended network that shares our goal of strengthening the civic infrastructure. They see their own missions reflected in the work of the firm and choose to assist us, generously, in our quest for the finest talent in their fields.
The country’s civic community has come to recognize our persistent commitment to recruiting diverse talent. Since we were founded, 42% of our placements have been women, and 23% have been people of color, with a total of 54% diversity hires.
Isaacson, Miller is a mission-driven business committed to the recruitment of powerful civic leaders who raise our own and our clients’ competitive aspirations. We believe that civic organizations are essential to a strong civil society, a vigorous democracy, and to a free market economy. Civic institutions educate us all. They encourage the marketplace of ideas through research, teaching, and advocacy. They inspire innovation, and, through foundations and philanthropy, they arouse the charitable endeavors of private citizens. The civic sector serves as the guardian of our economic and societal strength. We have made its success our business.
The team:
Julie Filizetti - Partner
(415) 655-4910
Micah Pierce - Partner
Phuong Ta - Managing Associate
Katie Pusecker Kilcawley - Managing Search Coordinator
(415) 655-4918
To Apply
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 for the search: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/oregon-state-university/vice- president-finance-and-administration. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.
Julie Fillizetti, Micah Pierce, Phuong Ta, and Katie Pusecker
Isaacson, Miller
1000 Sansome Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94111
About the search advisory committee
Tim Carroll - Search Advisory Committee Chair - Dean, College of Business
Sherm Bloomer - Chancellor and Dean of OSU-Cascades
Jacque Bruns - Senior Associate Athletic Director/Chief Financial Officer/Senior Woman Administrator
Jessica Brubaker - Associate General Counsel
Suzanne Grey - Faculty Senate Administrative Appointments Committee Rep - Administrative Modernization Program, Organizational Change Management Lead
Kevin Harvey - Vice President, Finance, and Chief Financial Officer, OSU Foundation
Dan Larson - Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Senior Advisor to the Provost for Operations
Jan Lewis - Search Advocate - Budget Liaison, Budget and Resource Planning
Bob Cowen - Associate Vice President for Marine Research Operations
Pravahlika Chava - Student Representative, College of Business
Oregon State University contacts:
Tim Carroll - College of Business Dean and Search Advisory Committee Chair
Jen Humphreys - Office of the President Administrative Director & Assistant Board Secretary and Search Liaison
OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.