Vice President of Finance and Administration and Treasurer

Wellesley College • Wellesley, MA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Wellesley College has partnered with Spencer Stuart for the recruitment of this role. We invite interested candidates to review the comprehensive job details and email your application directly to [email protected]. The Vice President of Finance and Administration and Treasurer (VPFA) reports into President Paula Johnson and oversees the College’s financial, administrative, logistical, operational, and professional sectors. As a key member of President Johnson’s senior team, the VPFA will play a critical role in supporting the strategic vision of the College. The successful candidate will be a forward-thinking financial and operational leader, and a highly collaborative leader and relationship builder. Partnering closely with the President, Provost, Board of Trustees, and the leadership team, the VPFA will help steward the College’s resources and support Wellesley’s continued excellence. The successful candidate will have a deep appreciation for liberal arts and women’s education and have an unwavering commitment to fulfilling the College’s mission and supporting faculty and students in their pursuits. The VPFA has fiduciary responsibility for all College resources and will partner with the faculty and all departments of the College to ensure strong stewardship of those resources. They will continually assess economic, demographic, competitive, and other trends to inform strategic decision-making. The VPFA will provide input on financial impacts and other implications for the future strategic and economic health of the College. The VPFA will partner closely with and support the Board of Trustees and several key committees, including finance, audit, investment and campus planning committees. Direct reports to the VPFA include the AVP for Facilities Management, the AVP for Finance, Controller and Assistant Treasurer, the AVP for Financial Planning and Budget, and the Director of Campus Safety and Chief of Police. The VPFA will oversee a team across the following areas: Auxiliary Services Bookstore Budget Office Controller’s Office Dining Services Environmental Health and Safety Emergency Preparedness Facilities Financial Planning Public Safety & Police Department Treasury Student Mail Services Transportation

Requirements

• Ten-plus years of experience in financial, administrative, and operational leadership roles in a mission-driven institution with deep knowledge of finance, accounting and financial management, facilities and auxiliary services.
• A strong strategic orientation with the ability to serve as a strategic partner and advisor to the President and collaborate closely with other leaders on the senior team and members of the Board of Trustees.
• A strong manager with experience providing operational leadership and mentorship to a talented team.
• In addition to contributing as a member of the senior leadership team, a commitment to collaboration, communication, and creative problem solving with faculty and staff leaders and partners.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate closely with the Board of Trustees, serving as a trusted strategic partner and advisor on financial stewardship, risk, and longterm institutional priorities.
• Strong academic credentials, including a preference for an M.B.A. and/or related graduate degree(s).

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with unions is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Leading and developing the existing team within the functional areas that report directly to them.
• Serving as a strategic partner and demonstrating sound judgement, balancing mission objectives with long-term financial and operational sustainability.
• Partnering and effectively leveraging an engaged Board of Trustees.
• Applying leadership and strategic thinking to innovative investments and solutions that support and positively impact the College, including investments in academic programming, capital projects, deferred maintenance, financial aid, benefits, etc.
• Providing oversight of the campus safety and police, ensuring alignment with institutional values, regulatory requirements, priorities, and the effective stewardship of resources.
• Communicating complex information to a range of audiences, including faculty, staff, and students, and ensuring that there is clarity around financial and programmatic tradeoffs.
• Hiring, developing, and mentoring a talented team of finance and operations leaders, setting high standards, delegating effectively, and modeling a culture of service.
• Acting as a strong conceptual thinker, both analytically and financially astute, with the ability to evaluate performance and progress against long-term goals.
• Providing forward-thinking leadership, vision, and direction regarding long-term capital improvement plans to the Wellesley campus.
• Building trust and driving changes in a consensus-driven, faculty-governance environment, with the ability to understand relational as well as financial dynamics.
• Partnering with the Information Technology team to develop and improve operational systems with a focus on efficiency, effectiveness, compliance, and continuous improvement to ensure that financial systems, process improvement, best practice, and polices are in place to support decision-making and planning throughout the College.
• Listening and being a visible and accessible leader who builds trust, solicits a diverse set of views, and then implements strategies that clearly support the priorities of the College.
• Promoting, fostering, and helping advance a community of inclusive excellence.
• Nurturing productive and collaborative relationships with a wide range of internal and external constituencies.
• Engaging constructively with a focus on identifying solutions and clearing obstacles.
• Bringing exceptional interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills.
• Displaying a demonstrated ability to engage openly and transparently across a diverse community and clearly communicating complicated information.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation
• Exceptional Benefits Package: Access a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision and pre-tax saving benefits, life insurance, disability coverage, and more to safeguard your health and that of your loved ones.
• Commuting and Transportation: Enjoy the convenience of free parking on our picturesque campus, easily accessible from major roadways. We are also accessible via the MBTA commuter rail.
• Paid Time Off: Take advantage of paid vacations, personal days, sick time, and holidays to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life harmony.
• Retirement Savings: Plan for the future with our retirement savings plan. Wellesley College contributes up to 10.5% towards your 403(b) plan for eligible employees
• Work/Life and Wellness: A hybrid work environment for select positions (additional details will be provided during the interview process), caregiving support through Wellthy, legal plan insurance, pet insurance discount and a variety of other resources including retirement planning, and access to cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
• Professional Development: Enhance your skills and explore growth opportunities through continuing training and pathways for growth within our supportive environment.
• Tuition and Education Benefits: Invest in your education with tuition benefits, and access resources to navigate student loan forgiveness, reinforcing our commitment to your ongoing learning.
• Campus Privileges: Enjoy free use of our state-of-the-art athletic and fitness facilities with onsite fitness classes, Library resources, and seize opportunities to attend diverse campus events that contribute to a vibrant community.

What This Job Offers

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