Executive Director, Finance

Roberts Wesleyan University•Rochester, NY

2d•$90,000 - $120,000

About The Position

Roberts Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered private university rooted in the Free Methodist tradition. We are committed to academic excellence, spiritual formation, and service to our communities. Our work prepares students for meaningful lives and careers while advancing the mission of Christian higher education. At Roberts, what you do matters. We value collaboration, integrity, and thoughtful stewardship of resources. We seek leaders who are energized by mission-driven work and who bring both discipline and partnership to their role. Roberts Wesleyan University is seeking an Executive Director, Finance to provide senior-level financial leadership and strategic partnership across the institution. Reporting to the President, this role supports the University’s long-term sustainability by leading financial planning, reporting, and analysis while partnering closely with academic and administrative leadership. The Executive Director, Finance plays a critical role in aligning financial strategy with enrollment realities, tuition pricing and discounting, academic program sustainability, and institutional risk management in a private university environment. The approved salary for this position is: $90,000.00 - $120,000.00/annually

Requirements

The ideal candidate is a mission-driven finance leader who combines strong technical expertise with the ability to partner across functions in a complex, values-based environment.
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field required
Significant financial leadership experience
Demonstrated success in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, audits, and compliance
Proven ability to build effective partnerships with senior leaders and governing bodies
Strong analytical, modeling, and problem-solving skills
Ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly to non-financial audiences
High integrity, sound judgment, and discretion
Comfort operating in a resource-constrained and evolving environment
As a Free Methodist-faith based institution, candidates are expected to demonstrate a commitment to Christian higher education and support the mission, values, and faith-based identity of Roberts Wesleyan University.

Nice To Haves

MBA, Master’s degree, and/or CPA strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Financial Planning, Analysis & Reporting Lead University-wide financial planning and reporting activities, including annual budgeting, multi-year forecasting, rolling forecasts, and variance analysis.
Develop and interpret financial models that incorporate enrollment trends, tuition pricing, discount rates, and financial aid strategies.
Provide accurate, timely, and decision-oriented financial information to senior leadership through strong analysis and clear communication.
Prepare executive-level financial presentations and written summaries to support Cabinet discussions and Board review.
Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting in compliance with federal, state, accreditor, and Board requirements.
Enrollment & Academic Partnership Partner closely with Enrollment leadership to assess net tuition revenue, retention impacts, and revenue sustainability.
Work collaboratively with Deans and academic leaders to evaluate the financial viability of academic programs and initiatives.
Support academic planning through program-level financial modeling for new programs, program changes, and program closures or sunsets.
Serve as a trusted financial advisor to academic leaders by translating financial data into actionable insights.
Risk Management & Compliance Provide financial oversight and analysis related to key institutional risk areas, including: Title IX–related financial exposure Grant compliance and audit readiness Contract risk and financial exposure mitigation Debt covenants and lender reporting requirements Partner with Human Resources, Student Experience, and external counsel to assess and mitigate financial risk.
Ensure appropriate financial review of major contracts, grants, and agreements prior to execution.
Treasury, Cash & Debt Management Manage cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning.
Monitor debt obligations and covenant compliance.
Prepare financial analyses to support capital planning, borrowing, or refinancing discussions as needed.
Governance & Collaboration Prepare clear, concise financial materials for the Board of Trustees and its Finance, Audit, and Investment Committees.
Partner with the President to support Board-level financial discussions and decision-making.
Work cross-functionally with Enrollment, Academic Affairs, Advancement, Operations, and Human Resources to align financial planning with institutional goals.
People Leadership Lead, coach, and develop the Finance team through a collaborative and accountable leadership approach.
Set clear objectives, provide ongoing feedback, and foster professional development within the Finance function.
Promote strong internal controls, documentation, and cross-training to support continuity and effectiveness.