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Vice President of Administration and Finance

Job Details

About Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts:

At MCLA, we're here for all - and focused on each - of our students. Classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive on every level of their lives. In nearly every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed to elevate our students as individuals, as leaders, as communicators, fully empowered to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 125-year commitment to public education we have fortified our commitment to equitable academic excellence. For eight of the last 10 years, MCLA has been named a Top Ten College by U.S. News and World Report. MCLA also appears on the organization's list of top National Public Liberal Arts Colleges, as well as on the top 50 schools in U.S. News' Social Mobility Ranking, which measures how well schools graduate students who receive Federal Pell Grants.

Our classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching and about seeing their students thrive on every level, personally, academically, and professionally. We engage in the most relevant conversations of our time by bringing the most celebrated thinkers and speakers to campus through nationally known public lectures hosted by MCLA.

The Berkshire region of western Massachusetts, where MCLA is located, is known for majestic mountain ranges, hiking trails, and natural splendor. Economically, our region is benefiting in a big way from the young and creative energy in North Adams and here at MCLA. Surrounded by some of the nation's most notable cultural landmarks as well as some of its most beautiful landscapes, MCLA is an incredible place to spend your college years.

Our graduates advance in their careers after MCLA. Nearly 93% of our graduates land jobs or get accepted into some of the finest grad schools in the country. Many earn competitive salaries in exciting fields, stemming from the many professional opportunities available to them, such as internships in major cities, leadership programs that reach all corners of the globe, and undergraduate research projects.

At MCLA, we're here for all - and focused on each - of our students, to make a lasting impression on people's lives.

More information about MCLA can be found at www.mcla.edu.


Job Description:

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) announces a national search for a new Vice President of Administration and Finance, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Vice President of Student Affairs. Serving as key members of the College's executive leadership team, the Vice Presidents will report directly to and partner with MCLA President James F. Birge, Ph.D.

MCLA's next Vice Presidents will be visionary leaders, accomplished strategic thinkers and planners, consultative by nature, decisive in practice, and informed about the needs of the 21st century learner, as well as staunch advocates for creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive campus environments. MCLA is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' designated public liberal arts college and a campus of the Massachusetts State University System. As the only public liberal arts college in the Commonwealth, MCLA belongs to the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), a distinctive national collaborative of 29 public liberal arts college where academic rigor and high impact educational experiences are central to the undergraduate program.

MCLA expects to welcome its new leaders to our community in the summer of 2021.

The Incoming Vice President of Administration and Finance is responsible for the executive leadership of financial and administrative services of the college. Primary responsibilities include providing leadership to overall administrative services at the college, directing the development of the budget, allocating fiscal resources, and managing the elements of fiscal accountability to accomplish the college's mission. Will continually review and provide innovative solutions to campus issues. Serves as the chief financial officer for the college and is a member of the President's Executive Staff. The Vice President spearheads alignment of financial operations, business support functions, physical plant management and auxiliary services with strategic planning objectives.

Provides management and direction to the departments of Information Technology, Facilities, Fiscal Affairs (Budgeting, Accounting, Purchasing), Shipping/Receiving and Mailroom/Copying, Capital Planning, Auxiliary Services, Risk Management, and Emergency Planning.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Develops, implements and enforces policies and procedures through financial and administrative systems that will improve the overall operation and effectiveness of the college.
  2. Plans, develops, organizes, implements, directs and evaluates the organization's fiscal functions. Ensures timely and accurate budget analysis and financial reporting for the management team, President, and Board of Trustees. Ensures continual review and improvement of the budgeting process through education of management on financial issues impacting their budgets.
  3. Responsible for the planning, preparation, supervision, and presentation of the college's annual budget to the President and Board of Trustees.
  4. Responsible for disseminating information within the college on budgetary processes and procedures related to operating and capital expenditures.
  5. Advises the President and management team on the impact of long range financial and organizational planning. Provides strategic financial leadership and support on potential alliances, investments and other issues affecting the college's business. Participates in the negotiation of union contracts.
  6. Provides leadership and guidance regarding the development and implementation of capital planning and operations projects as well as the safe maintenance of physical plant and grounds.
  7. Provides leadership and guidance to ensure the campus-wide technology strategy is responsive to the needs of the college community.
  8. Establishes credibility throughout the organization and with the Board as an effective problem solver; serves as a mentor to the college community regarding financial issues.
  9. Evaluates the finance/administrative services structure and team plan for continual improvement of the efficiency and effectiveness of the department as well as providing professional development opportunities.
  10. Collaborates with internal departments and external agents and constituencies to provide financial information/reports and to work toward the realization of cost efficiencies in line with the college's goals and strategic plan. Assist President in aligning strategic initiatives with Massachusetts Department of Higher Education strategic initiatives.
  11. Responsible for the accounting of all funds collected from all sources of the college and the dispersal of such funds under the applicable laws and regulation of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  12. Develops policies and procedures and engages in the procurement of goods and non-personnel services.
  13. Serves as grievance hearing officer for Step III APA and AFSCME grievances.
  14. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the President.



Requirements:
  1. Bachelor's degree in Finance or related field required. Master's degree preferred.
  2. Certified Public Accountant or Certified Management Accountant preferred.
  3. Executive level experience in public higher education management highly preferred
  4. An experienced leader and financial executive with at least seven years of full-time progressively responsible management experience related to administrative and fiscal affairs in a complex organization.
  5. Demonstrated understanding of the importance of diversity of staff and ability to work collaboratively with a diverse faculty, staff and student body.
  6. Extensive experience with budget development and management, business accounting, risk management, contract/procurement.
  7. A strategic thinker with sound technical skills, analytical ability, and a strong operations and systems focus.
  8. Demonstrated ability to utilize data and identify risks to analyze strategic issues and inform decisions.
  9. Outstanding communication skills; a team player who can relate to a variety of constituencies. Able to explain complex financial information in understandable terms.
  10. Prior administrative experience in a collective bargaining environment preferred.



Additional Information:

For questions regarding your application or specifics of this position, please contact Robert.Ziomek@mcla.edu.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment at MCLA. MCLA is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ("Title IX") to not discriminate in such a manner. Inquiries about the application of Title IX may be directed to each respective MCLA's Title IX Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both.

Nicole Comstock
Title IX Coordinator and Equal Opportunity Officer
Phone: (413) 662-5571
Email: Nicole.comstock@mcla.edu
Mailing Address: 375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
33 Arch Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02119-1424
Telephone: (617) 289-0111; FAX: (617) 289-0150; TDD (877) 521-2172
Email: OCR.Boston@ed.gov


Application Instructions:

Review of applications will begin in early December.

Nominations for the position may be sent to execleadership@mcla.edu.

Interested candidates must apply electronically and should submit a letter of interest and resume by clicking on the APPLY NOW button below.

Company

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

We’re the public liberal arts college in Massachusetts. In every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed to elevate you as an individual, a leader, and a communicator, fully empowered to make your impression on the world.

Located in the Berkshires, our area is known for its mountain ranges, hiking trails, and panoramic views. Our home town of North Adams is brimming with young, creative energy and the regional economy is booming as a result.

Our classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching and about seeing their students thrive on every level; personally, academically, and professionally. We engage in the most relevant conversations of our time by bringing the most celebrated thinkers and speakers to campus through nationally known public lectures hosted by MCLA.

The Office of Human Resources and Payroll at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts recognizes our most important resources are our faculty, administrators, and staff.

In furthering this mission of the College as well as embracing the diversity and excellence of the Campus, we strive to provide our employees dedicated professional support encompassing job searches, benefits, professional development, and personal growth.

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