The Chief Business Officer (CBO) is responsible for the financial and business operations of Peabody College of Education and Human Development, including daily business processes, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, financial modeling and analysis, strategic planning, human capital management, sponsored project administration, policy development and implementation, compliance and internal controls, and capital planning and budgeting.
Reporting jointly to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Finance and to the Dean of Peabody College, the CBO is a key advisor to the Dean on strategic, financial, human resource, and operational topics. The CBO is an effective leader, natural collaborator, and skilled communicator who builds trusting relationships across Peabody and the University. The ideal candidate will have a strategic, decision-enabling mindset and keen financial and business acumen that will allow them to effectively advise the Dean, associate deans, department chairs, administrators, and other key stakeholders.
The CBO serves as the primary point of contact relative to financial and business operations for Peabody College, working to accomplish the priorities of the College and of the broader University by leading and facilitating interactions with and between many of the core University offices that support the various schools, including Finance, People Culture and Belonging, General Counsel, Risk Management, Facilities, Development and Alumni Relations, and Vanderbilt University IT.
Peabody College is a world-class college of education and human development consistently ranked among the top 10 graduate schools of education in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Its mission is to enhance the human condition by creating knowledge about learning and development in their social contexts, by translating discoveries into more effective practice and policy, and by preparing leaders who will generate positive change throughout the nation and the world. Vanderbilt degrees offered by Peabody include the bachelor of science, master of education, master of public policy, master of science, doctor of education, and doctor of philosophy. Peabody serves more than 2,500 students, both on campus and online, with a full-time faculty of 200.
10+ years of experience in strategic finance or operational leadership, ideally in a higher education environment, is required .
Experience with sponsored project administration and familiarity with all phases of the grant award cycle, from pre-award to post-award and closeout, especially in a higher education environment, is required .
Strong financial acumen and analytical skills; experience with budgeting, planning, and financial management is necessary .
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills; ability to influence and lead across all levels is necessary .
High emotional intelligence and discretion; ability to calmly navigate sensitive business and personnel matters in high-stakes situations with the utmost discretion is necessary .
Advanced proficiency with standard office software as well as enterprise resource management platforms (such as Oracle or Workday) is necessary .
Ability to think strategically and manage multiple accounts with evolving priorities and strict deadlines in a rapidly changing environment is necessary .
Ability to proactively identify administrative and financial issues of importance and adjust rapidly and effectively to resolve these issues is necessary .
Ability to analyze information and to draw conclusions, perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects, and make financial decisions is necessary .
Ability to drive change and implement process improvements is necessary .
Ability to form productive alliances effectively and persuasively with financial and non-financial administrators at all levels of the organization is necessary .
Exceptional ability to bridge gaps and problem-solve to reach solutions that meet the needs of stakeholders is necessary .
Proven ability to build relationships, and work effectively, with all levels of academic, professional, and support staff is necessary .
A curiosity and aptitude for identifying, leveraging, and analyzing data to support decision-making is necessary .
