Head of Finance and Administration

Head of Finance & Administration

Department: Finance & Administration

Reports To: School Director / President

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Classification: Senior Executive

ABOUT THE INSTITUTION

We are a newly established campus of a well-regarded Philippine university with over a century of academic heritage. As a greenfield operation, we are building our administrative, financial, and operational foundations from the ground up. Our mission is to deliver quality higher education grounded in values of excellence, integrity, and service — extending the reach of a proven institution into a new community.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Head of Finance & Administration is a pivotal leadership role responsible for establishing and stewarding the institution's financial health and administrative infrastructure. As one of the foundational hires of a new campus, this individual will build systems, processes, and teams virtually from scratch — translating institutional policy into operational reality while ensuring fiscal discipline and regulatory compliance.

This role requires an executive who is equally comfortable with strategic financial planning and the hands-on demands of standing up an organization. The ideal candidate combines seasoned finance acumen with the agility to function as a chief operating partner during the campus's early and growth phases.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Finance & Accounting

• Establish the campus's financial management framework, chart of accounts, and internal control environment

• Lead annual budgeting, multi-year financial planning, and variance analysis reporting to the Director

• Oversee general accounting, payroll, accounts payable/receivable, and month-end close processes

• Ensure full compliance with CHED, BIR, SEC, and other applicable Philippine regulatory bodies

• Manage tuition fee structures, student billing, and collection operations in coordination with the Registrar

• Prepare financial statements, management reports, and board presentations as required

• Coordinate with external auditors and ensure timely audit completion

Administration & Operations

• Build and manage all administrative operations for a start-up campus environment — facilities, procurement, logistics, and general services

• Establish procurement policies, vendor accreditation, and supply chain protocols aligned with the parent institution's standards

• Oversee campus facilities management, utilities, and maintenance planning

• Develop and implement administrative policies and standard operating procedures across all non-academic functions

• Manage government permits, business registrations, and all compliance filings required to legally operate the campus

• Coordinate with the IT team to ensure administrative systems (ERP, HRIS, student information systems) are properly deployed and maintained

Human Resources & Organizational Development

• Oversee HR administration including onboarding, compensation and benefits management, timekeeping, and labor compliance

• Partner with the Director in organizational design and workforce planning as the campus scales

• Champion a culture of accountability, transparency, and service-oriented administration

Leadership & Governance

• Serve as a key member of the campus leadership team, contributing to institutional strategy and decision-making

• Represent the campus in coordination with the parent university's central finance and administrative offices

• Build, mentor, and develop a lean but effective Finance & Admin team

QUALIFICATIONS | Education & Credentials

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accountancy, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field (required)

• CPA license (strongly preferred)

• MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification (an advantage)

Experience

• Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive experience in finance and administration, with at least 3 years in a senior or managerial capacity

• Demonstrated experience in institutional or organizational start-up environments, including building processes and teams from the ground up

• Background in educational institutions, non-profit organizations, or regulated industries is a significant advantage

• Proven track record in budgeting, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance within the Philippine setting

Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong execution capability

• High level of integrity and commitment to fiscal accountability

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills across academic and administrative audiences

• Hands-on leadership style suited to a lean and growing organization

• Proficient in accounting software, ERP systems, and financial reporting tools

Success Indicators in the First Year

• Full administrative and financial operations established and running within 90 days of appointment

• All regulatory permits, tax registrations, and compliance filings secured prior to or concurrent with campus opening

• First annual budget developed, approved, and monitored through monthly reporting to leadership

• Functional Finance & Administration team recruited, onboarded, and fully operational

• Internal controls, procurement policies, and administrative SOPs documented, implemented, and adopted across the organization