Responsibilities of the Position
- The University of Houston System (UH System) has the following operating entities: University of Houston System Administration, which is the overseeing body, and three universities – University of Houston (UH), University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL), and the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD), in addition to campuses in Katy, Northwest Houston, Pearland, and Sugar Land.
- The Office of the Treasurer is a system-wide function reporting to the Finance unit within the Division of Administration and Finance.
- The treasury office includes treasury operations, student business services (bursar), risk management (insurance), and two specialists who focus on investments and debt, respectively. The University of Houston is a PeopleSoft institution.
- Size and Scope
- Treasury operations: $1.5 million budget (staffing and office operations), with nine indirect reports.
- Student Business Services: $2.6 million budget (self-funded), with 23 employees and a variety of student workers.
- Risk Management: $360,000 budget, with four indirect reports.
- Treasury’s primary responsibilities include:
- Cash and banking management, including contracting for all necessary services, managing the transfer of funds and related documentation, and maintaining relationships with banks and vendors. There are over 300,000 Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions per year, 2,000 wires, and 10,000 checks written. The total annual transactions are approximately $3 billion.
- Endowment investment management, reporting, and campus business process oversight; the endowment fund is approximately $1.3 billion, with 112 distinct managers.
- Non-endowed investment (NEI) management, reporting, and campus business process oversight. The NEI fund is approximately $1.1 billion in size and managed by five managers.
- Management of the Taxable and Tax Exempt Bond and Commercial Paper programs, including issuances, documentation, payment, and reporting.
- Bonds outstanding equal approximately $1.9 billion, with commercial paper issued as bridge funding until bonds are issued.
- Annual debt service is approximately $160 million—one-third state (Capital Construction Assistance Program) and two-thirds local.
- Student billing and receivables are approximately $700 million for 49,000 students per term on the main campus.
- Insurance procurement and claims for the UH System, including premiums of $10-$11 million per year.
Responsibilities
The University of Houston System treasurer is responsible for directing the cash, debt, and endowment operations activities for the UH System, including its various institutions. Reporting units include treasury operations, risk management, debt management, endowment management, and student business services. Through these units, the treasurer is responsible for cash management and banking, managing the debt portfolio, overseeing bond issuance, ensuring proper endowment and investment portfolios, addressing insurance coverage to support risk management across the UH System, and billing and collecting student tuition and fees.
The treasurer monitors adherence to the operating cash investment policy and objectives and recommends strategies for the execution and management of the debt structure, including debt management functions, leading debt issuance, and overseeing and monitoring the debt portfolio. The treasurer leads the team that works with credit rating agencies and manages relationships with financial advisors, bond counsel, and bond insurers.
Office of the Treasurer Organization Chart
Office of the Treasurer Website
Qualifications and Characteristics of the Successful Candidate
TA bachelor’s degree in a financial field (accounting, finance, etc.) is required, with a strong understanding of banking responsibilities and, ideally, some familiarity with debt management and/or investment management. Additionally, seven years of directly related work experience, including supervising staff, is required. A master’s degree in a related field and experience with financial controls and compliance are preferred.
In addition to the qualifications stated above, key stakeholders identified the following capabilities and attributes of a successful candidate:
- The treasurer must be a demonstrated leader who, over time, fully understands the duties and responsibilities of the reporting units and the strengths and weaknesses of the unit operations.
- The University of Houston System and the Division of Finance and Administration operate in a complex, interconnected work environment. The treasurer must be a strong communicator and valued collaborator across the system.
- The new treasurer will need to have solid organizational skills, the ability to identify inefficient systems and operations, and the focus to drive improvements.
- The treasurer must understand and support staff mentoring and development, and possess the ability to motivate and energize individuals and professional teams.
Opportunities and Challenges of the Role
In transitioning to the University of Houston System (UHS), the treasurer will encounter the following opportunities, priorities, and challenges, as shared by key campus stakeholders:
- The treasurer’s role within the University of Houston System is complex in both scope and scale. The new treasurer should be prepared to manage a significant volume of duties and responsibilities and must enter the position with energy, focus, and the ability to quickly assume high-level leadership responsibilities.
- The Office of the Treasurer currently has solid policies, but more limited written procedures. Upon arrival, the treasurer will need to establish a stronger, more integrated management structure across all reporting units, with an emphasis on developing clearly written, codified procedures and ensuring consistent implementation and accountability throughout the organization.
- Given the specialized nature of many staff roles and the breadth of institutional knowledge required to perform them effectively, succession planning and cross-training will be critical priorities moving forward. The treasurer must emphasize professional growth and development opportunities, team building, and meaningful, equitable engagement across all levels of the organization. Building relationships through direct interaction with staff in their work environments and developing an understanding of each employee’s role and contributions will help foster a more engaged and invested team aligned with the treasurer’s vision.
The UH System has identified some opportunities to improve how services are delivered across its broad network of stakeholders and recognizes the need to regularly assess the effectiveness of its processes. As the treasurer’s units serve both internal and external stakeholders, reviewing processes and procedures with a focus on efficiency, modernization, and enhanced service delivery will be an important priority.
Measures of Success
The items listed below will define the treasurer’s success throughout the first year of employment:
- The treasurer will have developed a strong understanding of the staff within their areas of responsibility, including individual roles, responsibilities, and operational functions.
- The treasurer will have established collaborative partnerships and productive working relationships with key external partners and stakeholders across the University of Houston System.
- The treasurer will understand and clearly articulate the treasury functions and related business processes across the UH System.
- Policies, procedures, and record-keeping practices will have been reviewed and updated to improve operational effectiveness and efficiency.
- The treasurer will have developed a solid working knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, laws, and compliance requirements.
- The treasurer will have identified opportunities for improvement and initiated appropriate process enhancements and operational changes.
Overview of the Division of Administration and Finance
The division comprises more than 1,200 employees in the following departments and functional areas, reporting to the senior vice chancellor and senior vice president for administration and finance:
- Office of Finance
- Accounting Services
- Accounts Payable
- Budget Office
- Business Services
- Financial Reporting
- Financial Systems
- Payroll and Tax
- Property Management
- Purchasing
- Real Estate Services
- Risk Management
- Student Business Services
- Treasury
- Auxiliary Services
- Dining Services
- Cougar Card
- Campus Store
- Vending Services
- Cullen Performance Hall
- University Services
- Equal Opportunity Services
- Facilities / Construction Management
- Parking and Transportation Services
- Human Resources
- Environmental Health and Safety
- Fire and Life Safety
- Fire Marshal’s Office
- University Information Technology (UIT)
- University Police Department
Divisional Leadership
Raymond Bartlett
Raymond Bartlett serves as the senior vice chancellor and senior vice president for administration and finance at the UH System and the University of Houston. Before joining UH, Bartlett spent a decade in the banking industry, gaining extensive experience in financial management and strategy. Over the past 31 years at the University of Houston, he has held a variety of financial leadership roles, culminating in his service as chief financial officer since 2020. In this capacity, Bartlett is a member of the chancellor/president’s cabinet and a strategic partner, guiding financial strategy, operations, and long-term planning. He provides executive oversight for a division of more than 1,200 employees spanning student services, finance, facilities management, human resources, public media, university administration, police, information technology, and environmental health and emergency preparedness. Bartlett directs the UH System endowment fund, valued at more than $1.3 billion, and a $1.1 billion cash and fixed-income portfolio. Bartlett is also responsible for managing the UH System’s $1.8 billion bond portfolio.
Kärin Livingston
Kärin Livingston is the senior associate vice chancellor and vice president for finance for the University of Houston and the University of Houston System. She brings 27 years of experience in higher education, including 24 years at the University of Houston. Throughout her tenure, Livingston has served in internal auditing, accounting services, the controller’s office, and the finance unit within the Division of Administration and Finance. In her current role, she oversees budget operations, treasury operations, the controller’s office, real estate functions, and business services.
Institutional Overview
As the region’s largest provider of comprehensive university services, from the baccalaureate to the doctorate, the University of Houston System plays an essential role in meeting the higher education needs of the Houston metropolitan area and Texas. The UH System has an annual operating budget that exceeds $2.23 billion.
UH System Structure
- The UH System comprises three separate universities, each with its own budget: the University of Houston, University of Houston-Clear Lake, and the University of Houston-Downtown.
- Renu Khator serves in dual roles as chancellor of the UH System and president of UH. The UHS Board of Regents oversees all three universities.
- Students within the UH System do not take classes at other UH System universities unless they are co-enrolled in two separate universities.
- All three UH System universities operate additional locations where they offer students classes taught by their respective faculty. These are instructional sites and are located in Katy, Northwest Houston, Pearland, and Sugar Land.
The largest university in Houston and one of the largest in the state, UH is a nationally competitive, comprehensive research university offering undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, distance, and continuing education studies programs. The oldest of the UH System universities, it is the flagship of the UH System. The Carnegie Foundation recognizes UH as a tier one institution for its high level of research activity.
University of Houston-Clear Lake
Established in 1974, the University of Houston-Clear Lake offers nationally ranked, regionally focused educational opportunities through undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Located on the south side of Houston and situated on 524 acres of natural green space adjacent to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, UHCL offers more than 70 undergraduate degree programs and more than 50 graduate degree programs at locations in Clear Lake, Pearland, and the Texas Medical Center. UHCL has more than 75,000 alumni who are leaders in a variety of fields, including 10 astronauts, more than 400 CEOs, and at least one best- selling author.
Additionally, UHCL is committed to supporting the region’s various commercial, engineering, human services, and trade sectors, especially in the computing, medical, petrochemical, and aerospace industries. Through the UHCL’s centers and institutes, including the Environmental Institute of Houston, Health and Human Performance Institute, Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Center for Educational Programs, and Center for Executive Education, students’ educational experiences are enhanced and interlaced with the needs of the community.
University of Houston-Downtown
The second-largest university in Houston, University of Houston-Downtown is a four-year institution located in the central business district. It offers valuable internship opportunities with major corporations. U.S. News & World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s best online bachelor’s programs for applied administration and best online master’s programs in criminal justice, as well as a top performer in social mobility. The Wall Street Journal and College Pulse ranked the University of Houston-Downtown among the best colleges in the United States in their 2024 rankings.
Student Body
Total Enrollment: 70,667
Undergraduate: 58,393
Graduate: 12,274
Male: 38%
Female: 62%
African American/Black: 12.0%
Asian: 16.7%
Hispanic/Latino: 38.1%
White: 20.4%
Two or More Races: 2.7%
Unknown: 1.4%
Non-Resident: 8.7%
UH System Leadership
Renu Khator
Renu Khator, chancellor of the University of Houston System, is the longest-serving chancellor in the state of Texas and president of the University of Houston. In 2008, she broke boundaries and glass ceilings when she assumed her appointments and became the first female chancellor in the state of Texas and the first Indian immigrant to lead a comprehensive research university in the United States.
Khator was born in Uttar Pradesh, India, and earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from the University of Kanpur. She received her master’s degree in political science and her PhD in political science and public administration from Purdue University.
Benefits Overview
The University of Houston System provides many excellent benefits programs for eligible employees. To learn more about the benefits offered, click here.
Some of the highlights of the benefits available to UH System employees include the following:
Optometry Services (UH Health – Eye Care)
Retirement Plan: employees contribute 8.25%, the state matches, and employees are vested after five years.
Fertita College of Medicine Clinic: affordable, comprehensive primary care services in one convenient location.
Application
Review of applications will begin on June 26, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. To apply for this position, please click on the blue “Apply for Position” button, complete the brief application process, and upload your resume and position-specific cover letter. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.
Visit the University of Houston System website at https://uhsystem.edu/
The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions.
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