Vice President of Finance

Job Description

Date: December 7, 2024
Position Available: Vice President of Finance
Position Reports to: President
Department: Finance
FLSA Status: Exempt
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., some evenings and weekends and occasional travel, including international

Please apply online: https://franciscan.edu/job-opening-for-the-vice-president-of-finance/

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the President and serving as a key member of the Executive Team, this role provides visionary and innovative leadership for the institution. While partnering with our senior management team, this critical role not only contributes to the financial strength of the University but also shapes and drives improvements to our business model, operational effectiveness, and process efficiency. Successful experience in higher education is a plus, but relevant experience outside higher education will be considered. A track record of driving enhanced financial performance and sustainability is required.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Establishes a financial vision for the institution. Creates and executes clear strategies for improving institutional sustainability. Shapes, drives, and continually enhances the University business model. Contributes to the University's overall strategy and operational goals from a broad business perspective and with a focus on both influencing change and most effectively deploying the University's financial resources.

2. Facilitates growth strategies that generate new and enhanced revenue streams. Identifies methods for scaling the efficiency and impact of the institution.

3. Deploys exceptional analytical, communication, and persuasion skills. Develops and presents accurate, transparent, and insightful reports, presentations, and communications to engage individuals at all levels of the University, to inform decision-making, and create a compelling case for ongoing improvement.

4. Models, evaluates, and advises on the fiscal impact and return of proposed decisions, policies, and strategies. Provides recommendations to strategically enhance financial performance and business opportunities. Translates the University's strategic and tactical business plans into financial plans. Develops and continually evaluates the University's short and long-term strategic financial objectives. Creates and maintains key benchmark data and ratio analysis.]

5. Establishes institutional financial targets, budgets and forecasts that are aligned with the University's overall strategies. Maintains robust, efficient, engaging, and transparent budgeting and forecasting processes. Provides timely and accurate financial reporting, analysis, and reports of results, trends, and forecasts. Holds institution accountable for achieving financial targets.

6. Develops the policies for and structure of the Finance and Accounting Division. Provides leadership for all aspects of the University's accounting functions, including identification and implementation of methods and systems for improving accounting and purchasing activities, procedures, and processes. Responsible for Audit results, bond rating, and overall financial compliance. Oversees campus legal, safety, and risk management functions. Manages the fiscal affairs of the study abroad program in Gaming, Austria.

7. Initiates appropriate strategies and actions to enhance the University's treasury, debt, and investment management, including: the University endowment, intermediate and short-term cash; debt financing; interest rate management; foreign currency purchases and exchanges; real estate development and building expansion; bank services, investment advisory, and lender relationships.

8. Provides support to the Board of Trustees as needed. Serves as Staff appointee to Trustee Audit, Finance and Operations, and Investment committees.

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Additional duties, expectations and responsibilities may be added or changed as needed to meet the University's needs.

REQUIREMENTS
Must understand, support, and embrace the mission of Franciscan University of Steubenville and possess the following:

Work Experience
• Must demonstrate prior leadership success in establishing a financial vision and achieving results. Must have been in a role that "owned" the overall financial results of an organization. Extensive financial and budget management experience with at least 5 years in a senior financial leadership role (e.g., CFO, VP).

• Must demonstrate experience in strategic financial planning, budgeting, and execution for an organization of comparable size, scope, and complexity as Franciscan University.

• Must have a track record of success in leading and implementing broad-based organizational changes improving financial performance. Must have experience in using financial information to create a compelling story and using that story to effectively communicate current performance and galvanize movement towards a desired future state.

• Must have proven experience in enhancing the Finance and Accounting function, processes, organization, and reporting.

• Higher Education experience preferred.

Competencies
• Mission-based Leadership: Understands, embraces, and lives out the University's Catholic and Franciscan Mission. Takes specific steps to champion the University's values; inspires the expression and demonstration of these values within others. Builds an environment that reinforces, supports, and advances the University's mission, vision, and values. Since this is a senior level leadership role for a Roman Catholic institution owned and controlled by the Franciscan Friars, TOR, this individual must be willing and able to take an Oath of Fidelity to the magisterium of the Catholic Church.

• Strategic Thinking: Monitors relevant trends and data needed to accurately anticipate future implications for the University. Clearly articulates credible views of future threats and opportunities. Demonstrates broad knowledge and perspective, as well as appropriate attention to detail. Identifies and thinks through obstacles and related contingency actions and plans.

• Project Management: Defines, communicates, and facilitates project outcomes, measures, milestones, and completion. Creates and uses reporting and feedback processes to monitor progress and adjust as needed.

• Effective Team Management: Clearly articulates expected outcomes for both completed work products and interim milestones and holds people accountable for results. Provides mentorship and development of subordinates.

• Managerial Courage: Faces challenges head-on, makes difficult decisions, and take responsibility for them. Speaks up assertively, set limits, and is open and direct with others. Says "no" when necessary.

• Interpersonal Skills: Builds strong, mutually beneficial relationships. Uses effective speaking, listening, and presentation techniques to ensure clear and actionable communication. Influences others both formally and informally.

Education
• Master's degree in Business, Accounting or Finance; CPA preferred.

Technical Skills
• Expert with EXCEL and ability to adapt to our accounting software systems. Analytical / Data software experience (e.g. PowerBI) preferred.
• Understanding of FASB Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and tax filings such as IRS 990 is a plus.
• Experience with Fund Accounting preferred.

Workplace Factors
• Occasional evenings and weekends required.
• Occasional travel, including international.

Candidates must submit an online application, a resume and a cover letter that demonstrates their fit for the position based on their experience, accomplishments, and skills as well as their desire to advance the mission of Franciscan University.

Please apply online: https://franciscan.edu/job-opening-for-the-vice-president-of-finance/

For other information and job postings, visit our website at https://www.franciscan.edu

Franciscan University of Steubenville is committed to principles of equal opportunity and is an equal opportunity employer.

About the Employer

Franciscan University is a Catholic and Franciscan liberal arts and professional studies institution located in Steubenville, Ohio.