Vice President, Administration & Finance, Chief Financial Officer

University of La Verne•La Verne, CA

23d

About The Position

The University of La Verne invites nominations and applications for the position of Vice President for Administration & Finance and Chief Financial Officer ( VPAF / CFO ). The position offers an exciting opportunity to lead a thriving university 35 miles outside of Los Angeles that offers a distinctive and relevant educational experience to a diverse population of students, preparing them for successful careers and a commitment to lifelong learning across the liberal arts and professional programs. La Verne boasts a strong and stable enrollment, a healthy endowment and university budget. La Verne is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking finance executive who is looking to lead change and transformation in a dynamic environment while balancing competing demands and prioritizing resources. Reporting directly to President Risa Dickson, the VPAF / CFO will be a dynamic and visionary leader who will work with senior executives and financial stakeholders to facilitate the University’s strategic, financial, and operational vision and goals. The VPAF / CFO will be influential in developing and implementing financial strategy through leadership and oversight of diverse functional areas, including finance and business services, facilities, human resources, and campus safety. The ideal candidate will have the background and ingenuity to establish a clear financial vision for La Verne and the resolve and commitment to develop and motivate others to achieve desired outcomes within the administration and finance teams and with other shared governance stakeholders.

Requirements

Strong interpersonal skills
A deep understanding of and commitment to the mission and values of the University of La Verne
A thorough understanding and appreciation of the University’s commitment to lifelong learning across the liberal arts and professional programs
Significant administrative experience
A highly relational approach
Outstanding communication skills
Authenticity
Self-confidence balanced with humility
Integrity of the highest order
A clear understanding of the challenges facing higher education today
A master’s degree in business, finance or related field
Demonstrated finance and budget acumen, along with the ability to communicate complex short- and long-term financial projections with subject matter expertise
Strategic thinker
Dedicated, visionary leader who can foster transparent and collaborative working relationships among diverse constituents
Contribute to the University of La Verne’s efforts to create an inclusive and equitable culture and to establish a sense of belonging for all members of the University community

Nice To Haves

Comfort leading transitions, building and rebuilding systems, hiring and developing staff, and engaging directly in complex operational details with a roll-up-your-sleeves mindset
A strong record of strategic leadership and thought partnership in financial management, demonstrated through extensive experience creating and implementing complex financial modeling, as well as managing income, cash flow and debt at a complex, centralized institution or organization
Ethical leadership and a steady presence demonstrated through emotional intelligence, accountability, and care; maintains composure under pressure; leads with empathy, positivity, and fairness through institutional challenges and uncertainty
Executive-level judgment and proven experience working effectively with a governing board and senior leadership of a college, as well as all internal and external constituencies, to support transparent, accurate and compliant processes
Exceptional communication and active listening skills, as well as the ability to distill complex financial scenarios in a clear, concise and understandable manner to all audiences
Strong understanding of compliance-related issues, risk analysis and state and federal regulations in higher education
Outstanding leadership and management skills, as well as unquestioned personal and professional ethics and integrity
A track record of successfully developing, managing and mentoring a team, as well as proven skills in building relationships and transparently communicating with faculty, staff, students and Board members
A deep respect for — and support of — students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni and community members and the shared governance process in higher education
A high level of cultural competency and a demonstrated commitment to the values of equity and inclusion
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills