Alfred University - VP Business and Finance/CFO

Lapovsky • Alfred, NY

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Alfred University, a private doctoral degree-granting university in Western New York State with 1700 students, is conducting a national search for its next Vice President for Business and Finance/Chief Financial Officer (VPBF). The VPBF reports directly to President Mark Zupan and serves on the President's leadership team, playing an active role in all aspects of institutional financial management, planning, and policy development. The university seeks a strategic financial leader who can align resources, investments, and revenues to advance its mission and enhance the student experience. This individual will be a trusted partner to the President, Provost, and leadership team, offering a forward-looking perspective on institutional decision-making, anticipating opportunities and challenges, and developing financial models for long-term sustainability. The ideal candidate will possess strong financial expertise, administrative acumen, and an entrepreneurial mindset to guide academic and administrative leaders in making sound investment choices, improving efficiency, and generating new revenue streams. A student-centered approach, a commitment to higher education, and a desire to contribute to Alfred University's distinctive mission and long-term success are paramount. The successful candidate will be forward-thinking, entrepreneurial, transparent, collaborative, collegial, an engaged listener, and an exceptional communicator, fostering trust and a culture of shared accountability and strategic stewardship. The VPBF will oversee finance, facilities, risk, food service, bookstore, ancillary services, procurement, and investments/endowment, and will support the board of trustees' Finance, Building and Grounds, Audit, and Investment committees.

Requirements

• At least ten years of progressively increasing experience in finance and administration
• Experience in managing a large staff with diverse responsibilities
• A bachelor’s degree is required
• Demonstrate unquestioned integrity
• Be an outstanding listener, open to feedback and input
• Be a good communicator
• Be a strategic thinker
• Possess strong and effective interpersonal skills that engender trust and cultivate collaboration
• Maintain financial discipline
• Be a skilled negotiator
• Understand the higher education landscape, and the challenges that higher education is currently facing
• Provide innovative ideas in approaching the future
• Be able to understand and negotiate complex financial transactions
• Ability to achieve goals using influence and negotiation skills
• Have the fortitude to make difficult choices when necessary
• Ability to convey decisions with clarity
• Be knowledgeable about the critical areas in the portfolio
• Have experience working with boards of trustees

Nice To Haves

• Higher Education experience is highly desirable
• Experience in business, non-profits and/or other sectors
• Experience aligning expenses with revenue expectations and restructuring will be valued
• A CPA, MBA or other advanced degree is preferred

Responsibilities

• Move the University to Financial Equilibrium
• Develop New Sources of Revenue and Help Increase Existing Revenue
• Develop a Budget Process and Balanced Budget
• Maintain Efficient, Cost-Effective Operation of the University
• Partner with the Town and the Village
• Provide Leadership to all Direct Reports and Create an Effective Team
• Gain Trust and Communicate Effectively with the Campus
• Manage the areas of finance, facilities, risk, food service (in partnership with the VP of Student Engagement), bookstore, ancillary services, procurement, and investments and endowment.
• Support the Finance, Building and Grounds, Audit, and Investment committees of the board of trustees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive