Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer

About the Opportunity
The Chief Financial Officer
(CFO)/Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a State Education Assistance Authority
(SEAA) executive reporting directly to the Executive Director and advises the
Executive Director and the Board of Directors on fiscal and operational matters
as well as assisting the Executive Director in strategic financial and
operational planning and ensures that programs, services, and administrative
functions are delivered efficiently, effectively, and in alignment with SEAA's
mission and strategic goals. This position also works closely with SEAA's
non-profit partner, College Foundation, Inc. (CFI) on programs administered on
SEAA's behalf.

CFO Duties

• Formulates, develops, and oversees implementation of policies and procedures for fiscal management, consistent with federal and State laws and regulations.
• Provides strategic leadership and oversight of all financial operations ensuring SEAA's fiscal integrity, transparency, accountability, and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Direct the preparation and administration of SEAA's annual operating budget and monitor revenues and expenditures and recommend budgetary changes as necessary.
• Establish and maintain strong internal controls and oversee fraud prevention and financial risk mitigation efforts.
• Oversee the preparation of SEAA's annual audited financial statements, including working closely with SEAA's outside auditor in the preparation of those statements and address any audit findings.
• Provide oversight of State-funded grants and scholarships including both higher education and North Carolina's private K12 financial aid programs (Opportunity Scholarships and Personal Education Savings Accounts (ESA+)) as well as SEAA's forgivable education loans for service program.
• Work with SEAA's General Counsel, outside financial advisor, and outside bond counsel on bond transactions entered into by SEAA to fund loan programs for students attending postsecondary institutions (NC Assist Loans) administered by CFI.
• Provide investment manager oversight for the North Carolina National College Savings Program (NC 529) administered by CFI.
  

COO Duties

• Work closely with the Executive Director to develop and implement organization strategy.
• Works closely with SEAA senior leadership to encourage and facilitate business process improvement and ensure excellent customer service.
• Direct and coordinate daily operations across SEAA's divisions.
• Identify and address operational risks and inefficiencies.
• Oversee SEAA's Information Technology division, including systems developed and maintained by CFI on SEAA's behalf.
• Ensures the maintenance of data security to protect SEAA's systems and data to ensure compliance with federal and State IT requirements.
• Oversee Human Resources functions and staff and work closely with the General Counsel on workplace policies and compliance with applicable federal and State laws and regulations.
  

This position is required to work at least three days per week on site at SEAA's office in Raleigh, NC. NCSEAA employees are generally required to reside in North Carolina, within a 2-hour commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

About the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA), an agency of the State of North Carolina, is authorized by the General Assembly to plan, finance and administer student financial assistance programs of a statewide or inter-institutional nature. It serves students attending public and private two- and four-year colleges and universities in North Carolina, as well as families of students attending nonpublic K-12 schools.

About the Team
The senior leadership
of SEAA consists of the Executive Director, CFO/COO, the Chief Education
Program Officer/General Counsel, the Director of Higher Education, the Director
of K12 Scholarship Programs, the Director of Audit Services and Government
Affairs, and the Director of Outreach and Communications.

Minimum Education, Experience, and Skills
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required with seven years or greater of related professional experience or a relevant post-baccalaureate degree and five years or greater of related professional experience.

Required Competencies
*Demonstrated strategic thinking and executive judgment; ability to operate independently, prioritize effectively, and maintain focus on long-term outcomes while managing near-term operational demands.
*Knowledge of risk management, including segregation of duties and related internal control concepts and practices, and data security principles and methods.
*Experience in business process improvement to ensure effectiveness, efficiency, security, and excellent customer service.
*Ability to demonstrate sound judgment, strong planning and analytic skills, and commitment to quality and innovation.
*Demonstrated leadership and management ability in supervising and developing staff. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and team-building skills.
*Demonstrated ability to lead internal and external teams with responsibility for both strategic direction and operational execution.
*Exceptional communication and influence skills, with the ability to translate complex operational or technical concepts for internal staff and external stakeholders and partners while also providing clear direction and support to frontline teams.
*Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook and Word, and intermediate knowledge of Excel. Ability to develop intermediate skills in using PeopleSoft and multiple proprietary software systems used for account management, accounting, and financial reporting.

Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills
*Master's degree (MBA, MPA, or related field)
*Higher education finance experience
*Experience with public sector authorities or quasi-governmental entities.
*Experience with bond financing or other debt management
*Experience overseeing technology organizations or projects
*Experience managing large-scale financial aid or public benefits programs
*NC CPA license

• Classification: Chief Financial
  Officer (CFO)/Chief Operating Officer (COO)
• Appointment Type: Permanent
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
• Employment Type: EHRA
• EHRA Category: Exempt Professional Staff (EPS)
• Location: Raleigh, NC USA
• Position Number: 20014803
• Special Instructions to Applicants: The
  posting remains open until filled, but applications received by June 19, 2026,
  will receive priority consideration.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Other Information
The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To claim veteran's preference, all eligible persons must indicate their eligibility as requested on the application. A DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, may be required later in the selection process.

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Human Resources Contact Information
Applicants needing assistance with the application process are asked to contact: recruiter@northcarolina.edu.