Find & Apply For Chief Financial Officer Jobs in Howell, Michigan

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Company:

Cleary University

Job Location:

Howell, Michigan

Category:

Other Executive

Type:

Full-Time Cleary University Chief Financial Officer Academic Career & Executive Search is

pleased to assist Cleary University in its search for Chief Financial Officer. Applications will be reviewed on

a rolling basis, and screening and interviews may begin immediately. For best consideration, applicants are encouraged to apply as early as

possible and no later than November 6, 2026. This position may be filled before the best consideration date. Cleary

University seeks a strategic and entrepreneurial Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to guide the financial strategy of a growing and rapidly

evolving private university based in Howell, Michigan. With another year of growth and fall 2026 enrollment reaching an all-time high of

approximately 1,200 students, the University continues building on this significant financial and enrollment momentum, enjoying another

profitable fiscal year in 2025-26, and a clean audit with no findings. In recent years, Cleary has strengthened its financial

foundation, doubled enrollment, and developed a distinctive reputation for accelerated degree pathways serving working adults. These

offerings have generated thousands of incremental enrollments with a 78% retention rate and a strong job placement rate, reflecting the

strength of Cleary's workforce-aligned model and its growing regional reputation. Building on this progress, Cleary is

advancing a set of strategic initiatives requiring financial leadership, analysis, and investment, including: National

expansion of Cleary's accelerated programs beyond Michigan, including Ohio and Wisconsin

Development of the Siena Heights School of

Nursing at Cleary University, expanding the University's academic portfolio as it progresses through the approval

process

Development of new schools and academic programs aligned with labor market trends

Rollout of an innovative career

development pathway model

New philanthropy initiatives, including the development of a capital campaign

Expansion of the

University's campus footprint

Implementation of Jenzabar as the University's new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system,

strengthening financial and institutional operations These initiatives are part of The Fourth Wave, Cleary's recently approved 2025-2028 strategic

plan, which establishes a roadmap for the University's next phase. As Cleary scales its adult and online programs while reinvesting in its

residential campus, the incoming CFO will bring rigorous financial analysis to decisions around segment-level economics, pricing and

discount strategies, capital deployment, program expansion, and new ventures. The role offers the opportunity to help build the financial

framework needed to support an increasingly complex and evolving institution. Reporting directly to President Alan Drimmer and serving as a key member of the executive leadership

team, the CFO serves as a strategic partner and trusted advisor to the President, bringing sophisticated financial insight, sound judgment,

and an enterprise-wide perspective to consequential decisions about the University's future. This is a senior-level strategic

leadership role with responsibility for Cleary's overall financial strategy, capital and debt structure, long-range financial planning,

major financial modeling, banking strategy, real estate considerations, and the financial evaluation of growth initiatives and new

opportunities. Working closely with the President and Board, the CFO will help assess opportunities and risk, evaluate alternative

scenarios, and provide the financial strategy and analysis necessary to support major institutional decisions and advance the University's

long-term priorities. With the Controller overseeing the Business Office and day-to-day financial operations, the CFO will have the

capacity to focus significant attention on forward-looking financial strategy and institutional decision-making while maintaining

appropriate oversight of the University's overall financial function. The successful candidate will be an accomplished, collaborative

financial executive who combines strategic perspective with the ability to work effectively in a lean, entrepreneurial environment. The CFO

must be comfortable operating at the highest levels of institutional leadership while remaining sufficiently hands-on to engage deeply when

circumstances require. The successful candidate will also share Cleary's commitment to practical, career-focused education for working

adults and diverse student populations. This is an on-site position with responsibility for the Controller and Business Office.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Candidates for the CFO position will also be expected to: Serve as a strategic partner and financial advisor to the President and executive leadership team in aligning financial planning with

institutional priorities, program innovation, and long-term growth initiatives

Lead long-range financial planning and scenario

modeling to evaluate growth initiatives, new programs, investments, and other strategic opportunities

Provide strategic leadership

around the University's capital and debt structure, banking relationships, financing strategies, and major capital and real estate

considerations

Develop and monitor financial models, analyses, and forecasts to assess institutional performance and financial

sustainability

Oversee the Controller and Business Office, ensuring effective financial operations, controls, reporting, and

stewardship of University assets

Coordinate and direct the preparation of the budget and financial forecasts

Establish major

financial objectives and policies for the institution and provide clear, forward-looking financial reporting and analysis to the President,

Board, and executive leadership

Collaborate with advancement leadership to support evolving philanthropic efforts and ensure strong

financial infrastructure for future fundraising initiatives

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of university administration and the principles and practices of financial management

Strong analytical,

problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and complex tasks

simultaneously

Experience with automated accounting systems and financial reporting tools

Ability to build effective working

relationships with diverse stakeholders across the university

Demonstrated leadership ability, including supervising staff,

delegating responsibilities, and fostering a collaborative team environment

Strong written and verbal communication

skills

Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain a high level of confidentiality, and uphold institutional policies and

priorities

Demonstrated ability to connect financial strategy with institutional mission and student outcomes

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in finance, business, accounting, or a related

field

Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in accounting or financial management in progressively responsible

positions within a higher education institution; Or Five (5) years of progressively responsible

leadership experience in financial planning, budgeting, and financial operations

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Higher education experience

Master's degree in finance, business, accounting, or a related field

CPA

certification About the Institution Cleary University is a private institution

founded in 1883 with a long-standing commitment to innovation, applied learning, and entrepreneurship in business education. Located in

Howell, Michigan, the University offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs designed to prepare students for immediate and

sustained success in a rapidly evolving workforce. Cleary's main campus is in Livingston County, with an additional education center in

Detroit that extends its reach into one of the region's major economic hubs. At the core of the academic experience is The Cleary MindTM, a distinctive, data-informed curricular

framework focused on developing eight attributes most valued by employers: critical thinking, problem solving, ethics, creative thinking,

communication, persuasion, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Fully integrated across the curriculum and co-curricular experience, The Cleary

MindTM reflects Cleary's commitment to aligning academic programs with workforce needs and ensuring graduates are prepared to

succeed and lead in dynamic organizational environments. Cleary serves a vibrant, career-focused student population, including

traditional undergraduates as well as working professionals pursuing hybrid and fully online programs. Traditional undergraduate students

may live in university residence halls, off-campus housing, or commute from home. The University's emphasis on small class sizes,

personalized support, and strong industry alignment fosters meaningful student engagement and career readiness. Cleary's athletic teams,

known as the Cougars, are an integral part of campus life, competing at the NAIA level as a member of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic

Conference. Learn more about Cleary University at www.cleary.edu. Living in the

Area Cleary's main campus is in Howell, Michigan, part of Livingston County, one of the fastest-growing regions in Southeast

Michigan. Howell offers a blend of small-town charm and access to major metropolitan opportunities, situated halfway between Detroit and

Lansing, within easy driving distance of Ann Arbor, and less than an hour from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, providing convenient regional

and national connectivity. The region is known for its highly ranked public schools and family-friendly communities; abundant outdoor

recreation, including lakes, parks, and trails; and a revitalized historic downtown featuring restaurants, arts venues, and year-round

community events. Residents also benefit from proximity to major employers and innovation hubs across Southeast Michigan. The area

offers a high quality of life, combining affordability, safety, and natural beauty with convenient access to the economic, cultural, and

educational assets of Michigan's leading cities. Learn more about the region at www.livgov.com. To Apply Applications will be reviewed on a

rolling basis, and screening and interviews may begin immediately. For best consideration, applicants are encouraged to apply as early as

possible and no later than November 6, 2026. This position may be filled before the best consideration date. To

be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjy30qw5 Please apply through the application link and do not email applications. Applications will be reviewed as they are received

and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated

confidentially. Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially. Inquiries and

questions: Please send to ClearyCFO@acesrch.com Nominations and

referrals: Please send the nominee's name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com Institutional Information Cleary

University is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and

belonging. Cleary strongly believes that workforce diversity creates an environment in which its employees can thrive. Cleary understands

and embraces the variety through which people gain experiences whether through professional, personal, educational, or volunteer

opportunities. Cleary University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. HigherEd360 is part of the HigherEdJobs network.