Vice President for Finance & Administration

JOB TITLE: Vice President for Finance & Administration

DEPARTMENT:  Finance & Administration

REPORTS TO:  President of the University

Summary:

The Vice President for Finance and Administration serves a strategic partner with the president, board of trustees and chief academic officer, with responsibility for the overall management, leadership, guidance, and direction of the finance and support services of the University including: accounting, finance, human resources, employee benefits, risk management, legal, facilities operations and planning, construction/renovation, housekeeping, distribution (mail) services, facilities rentals, public safety, university store, dining services, leasing and management of University-owned real estate, labor relations, technology & information services, and chief investment officer.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Functional responsibility for accounting, finance, human resources, employee benefits, risk management, legal, facilities operations and planning, construction/renovation, housekeeping, distribution (mail) services, facilities rentals, public safety, university store, purchasing, dining services, leasing and management of University-owned real estate, labor relations, and chief investment officer. Interim oversight of the division of Technology and Information Services.         
  • Serve as primary liaison to four Board of Trustees committees:  Finance, Buildings and Grounds, Investment, Audit, and attend all meetings of the full Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, Academic Affairs and Student Life Committee and Advancement Committee.
  • Financial planning and strategy, operating and capital budgeting and analysis, human resources (compensation, benefits, employee relations, on-boarding), accounting, financial reporting, investment oversight, endowment and debt management and compliance, procurement/purchasing, and risk and loss management and insurance.
  • Provide leadership, direction, and oversight of all functional areas.
  • Serve as a member of the Senior Staff and is charged with contributing to the University’s strategic planning to ensure appropriate allocation of resources to support the University’s mission and priorities
  • Implement, monitor, and evaluate college-wide functions, processes, and practices to ensure fiduciary and fiscal compliance.
  • Foster a best-practices approach across all functional areas.
  • Prepare long-range operating and capital budget forecasts for the University to provide a framework for decision-making and to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
  • Responsible for administration, coordination, development, and implementation of policies, procedures, systems, and budgets.
  • Assists in the development, negotiation, execution, and monitoring of vendor and various service contracts.
  • Motivate and lead a high performance management team.
  • Mentor direct reports to cultivate skills and to increase consciousness of the interrelationship between each department the incumbent’s areas of functional responsibility.
  • Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that is in alignment with the University’s mission and values while providing a commitment to quality to the campus community.
  • Establishes and maintains relationships with members of the Board of Trustees, staff, faculty and external stakeholders.
  • Maintains professional development to ensure knowledge of current practices and trends for like positions.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.
  • Unusual Circumstances related to position (i.e. essential personnel, require travel, serve in an “on-call” capacity, work evenings and/or weekends, blackout periods, etc.)

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the incumbent; they do not purport to describe all functions.  Incumbent may be assigned other duties, and the essential functions may change from time to time as necessary.

Education:

  • Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or related-field from an accredited institution.
  • Earned doctorate in a field related to Business Administration, Finance, or Accounting

Experience:

  • 15 years of experience in a senior management position or a professional administrative position in a college or university.
  • 7-10 years of progressively responsible and relevant leadership in administration, finance, and operations
  • A proven track record of accomplishment and collaboration in the strategic management and improvement of institutional operations and functions that maximize efficiency and effectiveness across relevant administrative areas
  • Experience in facilitating progressive organizational change and development within a higher education setting
  • Experience in implementing and managing change in a complex institutional setting, including experience in re-engineering and/or redesigning administrative processes and operations
  • Proven expertise in one or more of the following: human resources, facilities management, business services, business enterprises fiscal management, regulatory compliance, fiscal management, and/or regulatory compliance

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • Knowledge of best practices in fiscal resources, human resources, information technology and operations
  • Excellent leadership abilities and the judgment and confidence to successfully make and implement decisions
  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with all stakeholders
  • Demonstrates a collaborative, inclusive, and collegial leadership style, political savvy and the personality necessary to establish credibility, to motivate people and to command respect both within and external to the University.
  • Ability to develop both short-term and long-term plans for the areas under direct supervision to successfully align with the University’s goals and objectives
  • Ability to think and act strategically

 Supervisory Responsibility:

  • AVP for Financial Services/Controller
  • AVP for Human Resources
  • AVP for Facilities and Operations
  • General Manager of Dining Services
  • Director for Information Systems
  • Director for Support Services
  • Director for Infrastructure Services
  • Director of Events
  • Director of Retail Operations and Procurement
  • Chief Investment Officer
  • General Counsel
  • Executive Assistant

About The University:

University of the Arts’ mission is simple: to advance human creativity. Established in 1876, UArts believes creativity is the most essential skill for success in today’s society and has educated generations of groundbreaking artists, performers, designers and creative leaders for more than 141 years.  After being granted university status in 1987, University of the Arts became the largest institution of its kind in the nation, offering programs in design, fine arts, media arts, crafts, music, dance, theater and writing. It now features 30 undergraduate arts majors, 15 graduate programs and the nation’s first PhD program in Creativity. UArts is also home to innovative centers across disciplines, including the Center for Immersive Media, Lightbox Film Center, Philadelphia Art Alliance and Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery. Learn more about UArts.

 

TO APPLY: Interested, qualified applicants should submit letters of application and resumes to the Human Resources Department via email to jobs@uarts.edu. Please ensure job title is in the Subject line.
 

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, The University of the Arts publishes its Annual Safety Report at the following link for your reference:

http://www.uarts.edu/about/campus-crime-fire-reports

 

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Title IX Statement: The University of the Arts prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in its programs and activities, including admission and employment, in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The Director for Title IX, Equity, & Compliance is responsible for overseeing compliance with Title IX and other civil rights laws and regulations. To contact the Director for Title IX, Equity, & Compliance, e-mail titleix@uarts.edu, visit The University of the Arts, 320 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102, or call 215-717-6362. To learn more about the University's Title IX policy and response to sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence, please visit www.uarts.edu/titleix. Inquiries may also be directed to the Federal agency responsible for enforcing Title IX, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

 

 

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