Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance and Administration

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance and Administration

Job Description:

Founded in 1878, Champlain College is a small, not-for-profit, private college in Burlington, Vermont, with additional campuses in Montreal, Canada, and Dublin, Ireland. Champlain offers a traditional undergraduate experience from its beautiful campus overlooking Lake Champlain and a broad portfolio of online degrees and certificates through Champlain College Online. The College is known for its distinctive and innovative approach to career-focused education and its “upside-down” curriculum, which helps students be: “Ready for Work. Ready for Life. Ready to Make a Difference.” Champlain ranks in multiple categories of U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Colleges,” including Best Value Schools, Best Colleges in the North, Best Colleges for Veterans, and Top Performers on Social Mobility. Champlain was also listed among The Princeton Review’s “The Best 388 Colleges” in 2023 and was recognized as a 2022 College of Distinction for its “Engagement, Teaching, Community, and Outcomes” and ranked “Best MBA Program” by Vermont Business Magazine.

Champlain College seeks a dynamic, innovative, and collaborative leader to direct the financial strategy and administrative affairs of the college as it embarks on the R/Evolutionary 2030 strategic plan. The Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance and Administration (CFO) is an integral member of the senior leadership team and will collaborate with stakeholders across the college, including the Board of Trustees, during an exciting time in the College’s history.

The CFO is a corporate officer of the College and oversees finance, contracts, risk management, and legal, This is a campus-based, in-person position in Burlington, VT.

Responsibilities include:

Finance

• Partner with the President and the senior leadership team to develop strategies that increase revenue
• Provide analysis and recommendations to inform program decisions, strategies and initiatives,the allocation of capital and financial resources, and other planning
• Prepare short and long-term financial plans, analyses, and forecasts to assist the President and senior leadership in setting strategic priorities and implementing initiatives
• Lead overall financial risk management strategy, legal, and compliance
• Support the College’s Board of Trustees Financial Sustainability, Audit, and Facilities committees and support the President in communicating to the Board regarding strategic financial matters
• Manage relationships with financial institutions, investment managers, auditors, ratings agencies, insurance and tax advisors, and other service providers
• Represent the College on the Green Mountain Higher Education Consortium and collaborate to capture cost-savings, other efficiencies, and process improvements
• Oversee and manage philanthropy and grant funding from a financial operations standpoint, including from government and private entities, in compliance with donor restrictions
• Ensure the accuracy of accounting and financial procedures in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and non-profit best practices
• Direct the preparation of the annual budget; assist all departments in preparing their departmental budgets and plans; and present the budget to the Board of Directors
• Prepare regular financial and statistical analysis of operations for the President, the Board of Trustees, and College leaders
• Monitor income and expenses throughout the year and recommend modifications in operations as required to maintain financial health and achieve mission goals
• Manage treasury-related activities, including investments

Management and Institutional Leadership

• Promote and ensure a culture of financial transparency, consistent communication, and meaningful collaboration with College stakeholders
• Building on the deep experience of the team, manage growth and development for staff members and foster a culture of belonging, transparency, results-orientation, and service to our mission
• Evolve the college’s financial strategy to support the strategic plan and shifts in higher education
• As part of the senior leadership team, work with other leaders and the President to implement college-wide priorities and initiatives
• Represent the college externally, as appropriate, to support strategic objectives

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required (master’s degree preferred)
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in a financial management role in higher education or a related field
• Significant experience as a senior finance leader working directly with a President / CEO, C-level executives, and boards
• Ability to set financial short- and long-term strategy to support Champlain College’s mission and the R/Evolutionary 2030 strategic plan.
• Demonstrated success in managing people, building strong and effective teams, and mentoring professionals
• Track record of successful collaboration in complex organizations with multiple stakeholders
• Ability to identify emerging issues, proactively identify appropriate actions and implement solutions
• Excellent presentation skills regarding financial strategy and reporting. Can communicate technical, financial, and analytical information to diverse stakeholders by developing narratives and emphasizing key takeaways
• Strong sense of initiative, creative problem-solving, flexibility, discretion, and judgment.

Additional Information:

The successful completion of a criminal background check is required as a condition of employment.

Champlain College does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, religion, age, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, veteran or military service status, HIV -positive status, qualified disability, or on the basis of any other status protected by law, and does not discriminate in the administration of its education and admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, employment practices or co-curricular and other College-administered programs. Champlain College will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified students, applicants for admission or employment, or employees. Please contact the People Center at 802.651.5800 with questions concerning the hiring process or future employment at Champlain College, or if auxiliary aids or services are needed to apply for employment at Champlain College.

Champlain College is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community. Recognizing that diversity is both a reflection of our world and a source of rich education, Champlain strives to be diverse and inclusive in ways that reflect the world in which we live and work. All members of the Champlain community are valued as individuals.

Application Instructions:

Application materials must include a resume/CV and a letter of interest (Cover Letter) specifically addressing the desired qualifications. The College seeks candidates who, through their work and life experiences, service to the community, teaching or research can contribute to the diversity, inclusivity and academic excellence of Champlain College. Please include information about how you would contribute to these efforts and help to further this goal in your letter of interest/cover letter.

EU Employee Data Protection Notice:

https://www.champlain.edu/privacy/eu-employee-data-protection-notice

To apply, visit https://champlain.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=164166&CNTRNO=0&TSTMP=0

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