Vice President for Administration and Finance

and Chief Financial Officer

Position Summary

The VPAF/CFO provides strategic leadership of the university’s financial, administrative, and operational functions, leading the Division of Administrative Affairs to support student success and faculty excellence and to maintain compliance with Cal State University policy. A member of the President’s Cabinet, the VPAF/CFO plays a central role in advancing Cal Poly Pomona’s mission by ensuring long-term financial sustainability during a period of renewed energy and opportunity under new presidential leadership.

The VPAF/CFO oversees a broad and complex portfolio that includes financial planning and analysis, budgeting, accounting, procurement, facilities management, capital planning design and construction, risk management, internal audit, public safety and administrative services. The position also works closely with CPP’s auxiliary organizations, including Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises, which manages housing, dining, transportation and parking, and real estate; Associated Students, Incorporated, which houses student government, recreation and fitness, the Bronco Student Center, and other student-facing services; and the Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation, which supports the university’s fundraising and alumni engagement. Within each of these independent non-profit corporations, the VPAF/CFO serves in leadership and advisory capacities to ensure alignment with the university, effective governance, and smart stewardship of resources.

In partnership with the President and Cabinet, the VPAF/CFO leads the development and execution of the university’s financial strategy, aligning resources with academic priorities and institutional goals. The role provides leadership in long-range financial planning, capital investment, and real estate development, supporting the continued evolution of a dynamic campus environment grounded in Cal Poly Pomona’s polytechnic mission and “learn by doing” philosophy. Leveraging the independence and flexibility of CPP Enterprises in particular, the VPAF/CFO will play a critical role in identifying opportunities for innovation, enhancing operational effectiveness, and advancing sustainable revenue strategies that support the university’s growth and impact.

The VPAF/CFO fosters a culture of transparency, accountability, and shared governance by communicating complex financial information in clear and accessible ways. The position engages regularly with faculty, staff, students, and external partners to build trust, support informed decision-making, and ensure broad understanding of financial priorities and strategies.

As a member of the leadership team of one of the 22 campuses of the California State University System, the VPAF/CFO and their team interact routinely with counterparts in the CSU Office of the Chancellor. The Office of the Chancellor provides support services to the campuses while also serving as the campuses’ representative to the California legislature and to the California State University’s Board of Trustees.

As it awaits its new president, Cal Poly Pomona has continued to focus on strategic directions captured in a transitional extension of its prior plan. The 2025 strategic plan published for the Cal State system, CSU Forward, serves as an important framework for planning and priorities at each campus. It enables the campuses a degree of latitude in allocating resources to the overall university goals of access, excellence, and innovation – all in service of student success.

Cal Poly Pomona’s FY25-26 operating budget is balanced at approximately $430 million and is primarily supported by two sources: state appropriations, which account for approximately 53% of total revenue, and student tuition and fees, which account for the remaining 47%. The budget reflects a 3% base reduction, approximately $7 million, in the state appropriation due to California’s FY25-26 state budget cut. This operating budget excludes self-support operations: Housing, Parking, and the College of Professional and Global Education (CPGE), as well as three auxiliary organizations: the Cal Poly Pomona Enterprise Foundation, Associated Students, Inc., and the Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation.

CPP Enterprises

Enterprises manages housing, dining, hospitality, the Farm Store, sponsored-research, and other campus-support services on behalf of the university. In FY 26/27 CPP Enterprises revenue is projected to be $120.7 million, generated through several core businesses:

• Bronco Bookstore (self-operated)
• Dining Services (self-operated)
• Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises Student Housing (University Village and The Current)
• Kellogg West Conference Center and Hotel

Annually, Enterprises provides a designated gift to the university.

Associated Students Inc.

ASI is the student body auxiliary corporation that supports the co-curricular student experience and manages critical student life infrastructure at Cal Poly Pomona including the Bronco Student Center and the Bronco Recreation and Intramural Complex as well as campus student government and several student program funding streams. ASI has an annual operating budget of approximately $22M and stewardship of nearly 300,000 sq ft. of student centered facilities. Its primary sources of funding are Mandatory student fees (ASI and ASI Facilities and Operations fees).

Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation (CPP-PF)

CPP-PF is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation established in 2019 exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. The Foundation operates as a recognized auxiliary organization of the California State University and exists to support California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, in accordance with applicable state and federal law. CPP-PF manages and invests endowment funds to support the university's mission.  Endowments are established through donations and are invested to generate income, which is then distributed to support various university programs, scholarships, and other initiatives. As of January 31, 2026, CPP’s endowment has a market value of $223,543,118. The three-year average investment return rate was 11.96%, outperforming the CSU average rate by a full percentage point. The CPP Investment Policy Statement (IPS) includes an annual 4% endowment distribution rate approved each Fall by the CPP-PF Board of Directors. In FY 24-25 the endowment distribution was $6.72M to support University priorities.

In addition to helping these three related entities maximize their potential, the VPAF/CFO will have the unique opportunity to shape the Lanterman Development Project – one of the university’s most significant long-term initiatives. The project aims to transform a 300-acre site located south of the Cal Poly Pomona campus into a vibrant “Live, Learn, Work, Play” village that supports the academic mission and addresses critical housing needs for faculty, staff, and the region. Additionally, it will establish a dynamic hub for applied research, innovation, and workforce development, driving transformative change for the campus and community and providing significant financial opportunity and regional impact.

This job is found at InterviewStack.io