Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer

About This Role

This executive role serves as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the State Education Assistance Authority (SEAA), reporting directly to the Executive Director. The position advises on fiscal and operational matters, assists in strategic planning, and ensures efficient and effective delivery of programs, services, and administrative functions in line with SEAA's mission and goals. It also involves close collaboration with College Foundation, Inc. (CFI) on programs administered on SEAA's behalf.

Responsibilities

• Formulate, develop, and oversee implementation of policies and procedures for fiscal management, consistent with federal and State laws and regulations
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all financial operations, ensuring SEAA
• Direct the preparation and administration of SEAA
• Establish and maintain strong internal controls and oversee fraud prevention and financial risk mitigation efforts
• Oversee the preparation of SEAA
• Provide oversight of State-funded grants and scholarships, including higher education and North Carolina
• Work with SEAA
• Provide investment manager oversight for the North Carolina National College Savings Program (NC 529) administered by CFI
• Work closely with the Executive Director to develop and implement organization strategy
• Work closely with SEAA senior leadership to encourage and facilitate business process improvement and ensure excellent customer service
• Direct and coordinate daily operations across SEAA
• Identify and address operational risks and inefficiencies
• Oversee SEAA
• Ensure the maintenance of data security to protect SEAA
• 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

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with seven years or greater of related professional experience or a relevant post-baccalaureate degree and five years or greater of related professional experience
• 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

Nice to have:

• Master
• 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

Important Details

• Schedule: At least three days per week on-site
• Application deadline: June 19, 2026
• 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
• Other conditions: Employees are generally required to reside in North Carolina, within a 2-hour commuting distance of their assigned duty station

About the Company

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.