CFO & VP of Business Affairs

CFO & VP Business Affairs   The Cleveland Institute of Art seeks an experienced, financial leader to serve as CFO & VP of Business Affairs, reporting to the president of the college, serving as a member of the executive leadership team. The new CFO will be a hands-on leader with excellent interpersonal, communication, and financial leadership skills. The CFO is responsible for all financial affairs on behalf of the college, which includes the operating and capital budget, allocation of fiscal resources, development of policies and procedures, external audit and financial regulatory process oversight, operation of financial systems, evaluation of business decisions, all financial reporting, accounting, tax compliance and reporting, financial regulatory reporting, investment oversight, and financial planning.   The Cleveland Institute of Art is a nationally recognized four-year accredited college of art and design. An educational cornerstone in Cleveland since 1882, CIA is an independent college committed to leadership and vision in all forms of visual arts education. CIA wins widespread acclaim for the quality of its programs and the achievements of its alumni. Groundbreaking artwork from graduates and faculty can be found in the permanent collections of prestigious museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. The college’s design and entertainment arts alumni are sought-after innovators at corporations that include Proctor & Gamble, Ford, GM, Nissan, Motor, Hasbro, Disney, Nickelodeon, Sony, and Electronic Arts.   With approximately 600 students, CIA offers a personal educational experience with the benefits of a larger institution. Students choose from 15 majors and live and work in Cleveland’s University Circle, one of the country’s most unique cultural centers – recently named by Forbes Magazine as one of the ten prettiest communities in the country. The CIA experience includes cross-disciplinary studies, opportunities for exploration, development of critical thinking, and practical business skills. In addition, every CIA student participates in projects involving real-world challenges and outside clients or partners. CIA’s highly engaged faculty include exhibiting artists, scholars, and award-winning designers who continue to make significant contributions to their fields and win national recognition for their art and scholarship.   CIA is seeking CFO candidates with 10 or more years of relevant experience in the broader knowledge and aspects of operations and finance including contract negotiations, public bond financing, and lease vs. purchases analysis. The CFO must be resourceful, forward-thinking, organized, and results-oriented. The successful candidate will respect the College’s collaborative culture and be a confident, humble leader able to influence and motivate others in a fast-paced environment. In addition, they should have in-depth knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles for nonprofit organizations and knowledge of federal state and city tax laws to ensure compliance. A business, finance, or accounting degree is required. A master’s or graduate degree in a related field highly is desirable, while a CPA designation is required. Senior-level administrative experience in financial and business operating higher education and demonstrated success in working with all levels of staff, i.e., board, executive, administrative, faculty, students, etc., is preferred.   Review of applications will begin immediately and will remain open until September 30, 2021. Candidates should provide, as two separate documents, a resume and a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the detailed leadership profile, which will be provided to interested applicants. These materials and informational requests should be directed to:   Larry S. Imely CEO
Lawrence Stephen Partners
limely@lawsteptnrs.com   The Cleveland Institute of Art is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and has a strong institutional commitment to diversity. Women, minorities, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. CIA’s policies, programs, and activities comply with federal and state laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity and/or expression or sexual orientation.