Vice President For Finance & Administration (Vpfa)

Position Summary:

Eastern seeks a Vice President for Finance & Administration (VPFA) who reports to the President and serves as Chief Financial Officer for the university. The VPFA advises the President on general University policies, with responsibilities to fiscal, business, public safety, and physical facilities matters. The VPFA manages overall operational and financial aspects of Eastern Connecticut State University and serves as a member of the President's cabinet. In executing this responsibility, the VPFA will provide strategic vision and leadership for the functional departments reporting to the VPFA which include, Fiscal Affairs (i.e. purchasing, accounts payable/travel, accounting, payroll, bursar's office, card services, etc.); Auxiliary Services (i.e. food services and bookstore); Budgeting; Facilities Management; and Public Safety.

The Vice President for Finance & Administration:

• Directly supervises the Associate Vice President for Facilities Management & Planning, Chief of Police, University Controller, Director of Fiscal Affairs/Acquisitions, and Director of Financial Planning & Budgets.

• Indirectly supervises Purchasing/Procurement, Accounts Payable/Travel, Auxiliary Services, Accounting, Payroll, Bursar's Office, and Card Services.

• Advises the President on all fiscal matters and financial risks, including administrative, business and finance matters aimed at meeting institutional needs across all divisions. Provides transparent administrative and financial guidance to the President and Campus Community.

• Assures a fiscal affairs workforce capable of effective performance, by selecting, training, and developing staff in addition to reviewing and evaluating personnel and initiating corrective actions for those areas under the VPFA management when needed.

• Formulates, plans, improves, and implements campus-wide administrative policies and procedures.

• Plans, develops, evaluates, and makes recommendations to the President regarding the University's administrative programs and services (e.g., financial, facilities, commercial operations, auxiliaries' operations, contracts, etc.) so that the campus' objectives are met, and that compliance is assured with the policies of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU), federal and state regulations and audit requirements.

• Develops annual and biennial budgets and capital plans which promote financial stability of the university and support prudent, fiduciary utilization of state funds and student tuition and fees.

• Provides and maintains financial information systems that are adequate to provide internal controls and accurate data to support informed decision-making.

• Manages university-wide compliance; develops corrective action plans and responds to findings of external and state auditors; and ensures that processes promote compliance with state and federal laws, internal controls, and ethical conduct.

• Implements and updates enterprise risk management evaluations and reports items of significant risk or concerns.

• Ensures that Eastern's semi-annual reporting data and other requested reports to CSCU and the CT Board of Regents are prepared in a timely manner in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles.

• Oversees the university's facilities infrastructure. Directs construction and facilities operations. Direct the campus' auxiliary investment activities.

• Oversees management of state funding to support the university's capital needs and operations.

• Works as a primary emissary to Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to promote, guide, and oversee completion and appropriateness of structures which DAS builds, maintains, or repairs.

• Represents the President and Eastern on boards of various agencies or quasi-agencies which are finance related.

• Serves on various University committees as directed by the President (i.e., Budget & Resource Allocation Committee, University Budget Committee, Facilities Planning & Usage Committee, etc.).

• Maintains ongoing business relationships with the appropriate officials and employees of federal and state agencies, community organizations, school districts and other educational institutions, which have financial, administrative, infrastructure or legal relationships with Eastern.

• Remains current by reading professional journals and literature, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development events, and attending training and/or courses as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS:

MBA or other advanced degree from an accredited institution desired. CPA or comparable work experience preferred. A minimum of ten years of relevant executive-level work experience preferred. Demonstrated leadership and strategic planning skills essential to manage the administrative, financial and facility programs of a major, complex organization with sound financial and fiscal controls; ability to direct the work of professional financial and administrative staff; experience with developing and managing long-range budgets for complex organizations; ability to work within a team-based and cooperative structure; and familiarity of work in a complex unionized environment. These qualifications may be waived for individuals with appropriate alternate experience.

TO APPLY:

Applications should upload a cover letter, current resume and contact information of three professional references via Vice President for Finance and Administration

• Eastern CT State University

• Career Page (applytojob.com) link. Cover letter should be addressed to Chair, Search Committee for the Vice President for Finance and Administration, c/o Rebecca Davis, Screening of applications will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made. Highest priority will be given to applications received by July 31, 2024. Anticipated start date is January 2025 following the completion of the search.