VP of Finance & Strategy at College of St. Scholastica, Inc.
Duluth, MN 55811
About the Job
VP of Finance and Strategy
College of St. Scholastica, Inc. is currently seeking an experienced VP of Finance and Strategy to join our team in Duluth, Minnesota (55811).
About Us:
The College of St. Scholastica was founded as a Catholic institution in 1912 to educate women primarily in nursing, education, and social work. Today, St. Scholastica is a co-educational, independent, comprehensive institution of higher learning offering undergraduate and graduate programs under the sponsorship of the Duluth Benedictine Ministries, formally the Benevolent Sisters of the St. Scholastica Monastery, who continue to have a strong presence on campus.
The College of St. Scholastica aspires to be a diverse and inclusive academic community of excellence grounded in the rich Catholic Benedictine heritage, sending forth thoughtful leaders sharpened and sensitized by the liberal arts who are prepared and committed to serve and transform the world. To accomplish this vision, the community works together to provide intellectual and moral preparation for responsible living and meaningful work.
The College was an early adopter of non-traditional student education, offering degree completion programs in the early ’90s and fully online degree programs soon after. The Duluth campus remains home to traditional undergraduate and graduate programs, including more than 100 majors and minors.
Job Summary:
The College of St. Scholastica (CSS) in Duluth, Minnesota, announces the search for a Vice President of Finance and Strategy. The Vice President of Finance and Strategy (VPFS), reporting directly to the President and a vital member of the President’s Cabinet, occupies the dual role of the organization’s chief financial officer and strategist. This position is responsible for guiding financial strategies to secure long-term sustainability. Additionally, the VPSA oversees human resources, facilities and institutional effectiveness, which is part of the College’s strategic plan. The VPFS ensures that the strategic plan aligns with budgeting, forecasting and long-term planning goals. The VPFS will be keenly aware of where the markets are heading, the competition and best practices in business development, long-term planning and operational effectiveness.
The VPFS will partner with fellow Cabinet members to support and promote St. Scholastica’s Catholic Benedictine mission and values. The VPFS will also partner with the President to shape a strong and sustainable future vision for the institution. The successful candidate will be a “systems thinker” with strong analytical thinking, problem-solving and planning skills. In addition, the VPFS will possess strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with others.
In relation to the Board of Trustees, the VPFS will be the lead administrator staffing the Audit and Finance Committee and the Board of Trustees Investment Committee and work closely with the committee chair.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Core duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned by management.
Primary areas of responsibility include:
- Financial Operations
- Facilities Operations
- Human Resources
- Office of Institutional Effectiveness
- Strategic Planning
Secondary close collaborative relationships include:
- Working collaboratively with the IT leadership in the financial planning of operational technology systems that support College operations.
- Working collaboratively with Enrollment Management and Academic Affairs in financial forecasting and planning.
- Working collaboratively with College Advancement to provide financial oversight in managing the College’s endowment.
- Working collaboratively with Cabinet to ensure the execution of the College’s strategic plan.
- Working collaboratively with the Inclusive Excellence framework to provide employee support and engagement.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Over five years of progressive experience in senior-level management in finance or accounting.
- Working knowledge of debt management, risk management, financial audits, human resources laws and regulations and strategic planning.
- Experience in higher education and/or non-profit organizations or similar, with proven ability to engage diverse constituent groups in a consultative and collaborative manner.
- Highly developed understanding of investments and high-level competence with innovative techniques and tools for financial planning, forecasting and analytics.
Preferred Qualifications and Experience:
- A graduate degree in a relevant field from an accredited college or university.
- Experience with human resources, facilities management, and long-term planning.
- Understand the current trends, challenges, and opportunities in higher education.
- Commitment to working in a shared governance environment and building relationships across the College.
- A strong understanding of and experience with audits and the ability to create and communicate an inclusive financial plan.
- Experience working effectively with board members, including providing complex information clearly and concisely to support their fiduciary responsibilities.
- Ability to provide leadership over human resource functions, services, and activities, including compliance, regulations, recruitment, employment, labor relations, employee relations, compensation and professional development.
Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent technical, management and leadership skills.
- Strong communication skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to work with various constituent groups.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and foster strong working relationships.
- Proven success in creating, implementing, and assessing bold strategic initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability and experience with diversity and inclusion.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Salary commensurate with experience.
- Health and Welfare plan includes medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and prescription drug coverage from major national carriers.
- Health Savings Accounts
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Commuter Benefits
- 401(k)
During the application process, you will be asked the following questions:
- Please describe how you have advanced principles of equity, diversity and inclusion in your work? How might that look if you were to get this position?
- Every aspect of the College is influenced by our core values of hospitality, respect, community, stewardship, and love of learning, drawn from our Catholic identity and the Rule of St. Benedict. After reviewing descriptions of how CSS characterizes these (please review at css.edu/about/mission-and-values/), please share with us specific examples of how you may have incorporated some of these values into your previous or current work roles.
Please submit your resume via the ‘Apply now’ button!
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer!