Chief Financial Officer, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Job Summary

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as a key member of the department’s leadership team, overseeing all financial operations, planning, and compliance. The role includes strategic financial leadership, financial planning and performance management, clinical, research, and academic finance oversight, operations, compliance, and risk management, resource stewardship and funds management, and leadership and team development.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Financial Leadership: Serve as senior financial advisor to the Chair and CAO on strategy, growth, and sustainability; develop and execute long-range financial plans aligned with clinical, research, and education missions; lead financial strategy for program expansion, faculty recruitment, and new initiatives; translate financial data into actionable insights for executive decision-making.
• Financial Planning & Performance Management: Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and multi-year financial planning across all fund sources; monitor financial performance, key metrics, and variance trends across divisions and programs; develop business cases and financial models to support investments and operational decisions.
• Clinical, Research & Academic Finance Oversight: Provide financial oversight for clinical operations, research portfolios, and academic programs; partner with clinical and research leaders to optimize margin, cost structure, and funding strategies; ensure alignment with UCSF Health and campus financial frameworks.
• Operations, Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure compliance with UC/UCSF policies, healthcare regulations, and sponsored research requirements; maintain strong internal controls, audit readiness, and financial policies; identify and mitigate financial and operational risks; develop systems and processes for contracts with external entities in accordance with UC/UCSF policies.
• Resource Stewardship & Funds Management: Oversee the department’s multi-fund portfolio (clinical, grants, gifts, endowments, state); guide resource allocation to align with strategic priorities; lead capital planning and major financial commitments.
• Leadership & Team Development: Lead and develop a team of finance managers, analysts, and administrative staff; foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Governance: Represent the department in UCSF/UCSF Health financial committees and governance; partner with central finance, school leadership, and affiliated sites (e.g., ZSFG, VA); communicate financial strategy and performance to faculty and leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, or Finance or equivalent combination of experience/training.
• Minimum 8 years of related experience, with 7+ years in a lead/supervisory role.
• Minimum 7 years of increasing Accounting and operations management experience in a health care setting, preferably with an Academic Medical Center, encompassing financial management, strategic planning and organizational development, clinical practice management, and human resources management.
• At least 2-4 years of experience hiring and managing high performing employees.
• Strategic financial leadership in complex academic healthcare environments.
• Comprehensive knowledge of finance and budget policies, practices and systems; budgeting and reporting techniques; fund accounting; human resource planning; generally accepted accounting and bookkeeping policies and procedures.
• Knowledge and understanding of internal control practices and their impact on protecting University resources.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills; excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across the organization at all levels; ability to interact with a diverse populations.
• Independent and critical thinking paired with strong skills in team work and use of judgment in determining priorities and what decisions need to be moved to a higher level.
• Client services oriented - good listening, critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Strong work ethic.