Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer

Findlay•Lexington, MA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Vice President of Finance, Treasurer (VP CFO) serves as the University’s chief financial officer and oversees all financial management for the University’s business affairs. Reporting directly to the president, this role is the primary steward of the University of Findlay’s financial resources. As a member of the president’s cabinet, the VP CFO partners closely with the president and senior leadership on the institution’s strategic priorities, including personnel management and oversight of revenue, expenses, budgeting, investments, debt, and the endowment. The Vice President also partners closely with Information Technology Services to align financial operations with the University’s enterprise architecture, data governance, cybersecurity, and digital transformation strategy. This includes shared responsibility for enterprise systems, analytics, process automation, and technology-enabled innovation. In this role, the VP CFO aligns resources to support the University’s mission, culture, and long-term operational success.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is required
At least ten years of progressively increasing experience managing a large staff with diverse responsibilities
At least ten years in higher education finance and will be knowledgeable about the critical areas in the portfolio
Experience in business, non-profits or other sectors
Demonstrate unquestioned integrity, be an outstanding communicator
Possess strong and effective interpersonal skills that engender trust and cultivate collaboration
Exceptional financial and administrative leader with superior analytical and management skills as well as experience in the use of financial management systems and a willingness to explore new opportunities for using technology
Entrepreneurial in spirit, willing to think outside the box and take prudent risks
Have an appreciation for the University’s close ties to its region coupled with experience creating partnerships with business and/or nonprofit organizations
Appreciate the current higher education landscape, its challenges and potential, with particular facility for ensuring institutional thriving beyond financial sustainability
Fortitude to make difficult decisions when necessary and the proven ability to communicate those decisions with contextual clarity

Nice To Haves

CPA, MBA or other advanced degree is preferred
Masters’ degree

Responsibilities

University’s chief financial officer, overseeing all matters related to the financial management of the University.
Provide the leadership and vision necessary to develop and oversee prudent fiscal strategies that assure the continued financial strength of the University while moving the University forward.
Responsible for short and long-range financial planning and analysis, budget modeling, risk management, and investment oversight.
Key liaison to the Board of Trustees’ committees on business affairs, investments, and audit.
Partner actively and creatively with the college’s other senior officers, to ensure funding and administrative solutions to support the academic mission of the college, to support overall fundraising goals and provide the infrastructure necessary to assure donors of the stewardship of their contributions, to develop enrollment and net tuition goals; and others to move the agenda of the University forward.
Assist and support the development of the appropriate pricing strategies for both undergraduate, graduate and other programs which the University offers which will support growth in net tuition revenue.
Provide the appropriate incentives and infrastructure for faculty and staff to develop new programs which can provide the University with additional revenue.
Review all operations and systems in his/her portfolio to ensure that they are efficient and effective and appropriately taking advantage of technological solutions.
Ensure that the college has the appropriate policies in place to operate efficiently and fairly and that the policies and processes are not more cumbersome than necessary and are as paperless as possible.
Ensure that the appropriate financing is in order for new projects. In addition, the VP CFO, working with the Assistant Vice President of Facilities Services, will be responsible for making sure that the project comes in on-time and on-budget.
Develop a budget model that allows for scenario planning and will be able to provide both short and long-term financial outcomes.
Work with the division to increase and enhance its use of technology in all areas.
Gain the trust of the campus and communicate clearly and effectively with all constituencies about finance and facility issues.
Educate the campus about the implications of various alternative strategies in a clear and transparent manner which promotes understanding and support for the University’s directions.
Perform all other duties deemed appropriate for the position.
Developing opportunities to increase revenue.
Maintaining efficient, cost-effective operations.
Overseeing financing and construction of new facilities and renovations.
Sustaining an effective budget model.
Providing leadership to the business affairs division.
Establishing trust and communicating effectively with the campus on financial issues.
Collaborating with colleagues in decision-making.