Job Description

 

The Vice President for Finance and Administration is responsible for the strategic leadership over the University's fiscal management and Division of Finance and Administration. SUNY Fredonia is at a crucial period as we work to rebuild enrollment and align resources with strategic priorities. This requires strong leadership, vision, and oversight in these areas, in partnership with the executive leadership team, to ensure the University continues an upward trajectory during difficult economic times and secure a strong future for the institution. As a member of the President's Cabinet, the VPFA will be positioned to effect change and influence policies in this regard.

As a manager of crucial operations areas, the VPFA will provide leadership to the Finance and Administration team, including developing others to lead and partner with the Finance and Administration leadership team to find creative solutions regarding processes and staffing for efficiency and effectiveness, as well as succession planning. A deep understanding of the public sector/unions is also vital to success.

The Vice President for Finance and Administration leads a division in ensuring fiscal management and facilities management across the institution. In addition, the VPFA oversees the Faculty Student Association--the auxiliary services corporation with responsibility for food service, vending, and bookstore operations.

The Division of Finance and Administration currently consists of:

• University Accounting
• Purchasing
• Student Accounting
• Revenue Accounting
• Budget
• Payroll Services
• Environmental Health, Safety, and Sustainability
• Facilities Planning & Services
• Faculty Student Association (FSA)
• University Services
• Internal Control

Reporting to the President, the Vice President for Finance and Administration will:

• Serve as the Chief Financial Officer of SUNY Fredonia
• Serve as the key advisor to the President on all matters related to SUNY Fredonia's budget as their primary job function.
• Support SUNY Fredonia's mission, vision, and values through effective structure, policies, and services to promote and sustain a culture of evidence, assessment, improvement, quality, and celebration of accomplishments.
• Provide strategic vision and leadership for the Division of Finance & Administration to find creative solutions and new ideas within the parameters of a public/union environment.
• Provide oversight and stewardship of fiscal, university, and facilities resources.
• Supervise, support, mentor, and foster the professional development of staff in the Division of Finance & Administration and help identify succession planning solutions for long-term stability of the division. Must be comfortable with providing clear, in-person feedback and discussion.
• Ensure quality service from all departments in Finance & Administration.
• Promote a culture of data-informed assessment and evaluation of programs and services in the Division of Finance & Administration.
• Formulate and communicate short-term and long-range goals for the division that reflect the campus' strategic plan
• Work collaboratively to implement Fredonia's multiyear Strategic Enrollment Management Plan.
• Coordinate the campus's capital master planning and energy master planning programs.
• Prioritize projects in consultation with campus leadership.
• Collaborate with University Advancement in fundraising efforts and on the campus capital campaign; advocate for state funding.
• Lead the division in efforts to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion among faculty, staff, and students.
• Represent the Finance & Administration Division and the campus at SUNY meetings and other events as requested by the President; work closely with SUNY System Finance, State University Construction Fund, SUNY Counsel, and University Audit Offices.
• Stay up-to-date in the fields of finance & administration.
• Promote the work of Finance & Administration across all campus divisions, in the system, and beyond; work effectively within the 64-campus SUNY system. 
• Contribute to a vision of environmental sustainability and responsible environmental stewardship.
• Participate in committees and provide service to the department, college, university, and profession.
• Be aware of, understand, and follow all SUNY and university policies. 
• Maintain confidentiality, as appropriate, according to law or policy, of information acquired in the work of the University.
• Work closely and proactively with the leadership of FSA to be innovative and entrepreneurial in providing the services sought by today's students; work closely and proactively with the leadership of FSA to position the organization for enhanced financial success. 
• Perform other duties as assigned by the President.

 

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, management, or closely related area from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Significant experience with long-range strategic financial planning for a complex organization.
• Significant experience with long-range strategic facilities planning for a complex organization.
• Significant knowledge and experience interpreting financial information and presenting it to various audiences in a way that enhances strategic decision making.
• Supervisory experience (minimum 5 years) over a large and diverse team, including direct supervision and performance management.
• Significant experience (minimum 5 years) holding progressively responsible positions in finance & administration.
• A demonstrated commitment to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the division and university.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Executive leadership experience in public higher education finance and budgeting, including implementing initiatives that contribute to the sustainability of a university.
• An MBA or a master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, management, or closely related area from an accredited institution of higher education.
• CFA or CPA designation.
• Supervisory experience (minimum 10 years) over a large and diverse team, including direct supervision and performance management.
• Significant experience (minimum 10 years) holding progressively responsible positions in finance & administration.
• Experience with higher education budgetary processes and operational and accountability measures.
• Experience with New York State budgetary processes and operational and accountability measures.
• Experience as an administrator in a public/union environment.
• Ability to provide financial modeling and forecasting.
• Demonstrated history of developing sustainable public-private partnerships.
• Demonstration of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship in revenue generation.
• Interest in, and commitment to, community engagement.

 

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, Management Confidential position, beginning 2/3/25 with an annual salary of $165,000 - $198,000, commensurate with experience.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Fredonia prides itself on an outstanding workforce. To continually support organizational excellence, the university conducts background screens on applicants.

An Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer, Fredonia provides for, and promotes, equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment, without discrimination.

Pursuant to University policy, the University is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, or domestic violence victim status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the University community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law, or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

The University's policy is in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations prohibiting unlawful discrimination and harassment. These laws include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as Amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, and the New York State Human Rights Law. These laws prohibit discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.

SUNY Fredonia is actively recruiting diverse faculty of all backgrounds. In efforts and our commitment to the goal of building a diverse workforce we are participating in PRODiG. PRODiG ("Promoting Recruitment, Opportunity, Diversity, Inclusion and Growth") aims to increase the representation of historically underrepresented faculty at SUNY including underrepresented minority ("URM") faculty in general and women faculty of all races in STEM fields ("WSTEM"). Click this link https://www.suny.edu/prodig/ to find out more about PRODiG.

 

Application Instructions:

Interested candidates shall apply and submit the required documents listed below by clicking on the APPLY NOW button. Complete applications received by October 29, 2024 will be given full consideration.  Names and contact information for three professional references are required as part of the application.

• Cover Letter
• Resume/CV
• References

Note: After submitting your Resume/CV, the subsequent page gives you instructions that enable you to upload the additional, required documents.

Please see the FAQ for using the online application system. Please contact us if you need assistance applying through this website.

 

URL: www.fredonia.edu/about/offices/finance-administration/annual-reports-and-assessment-updates

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