Vice President for Finance and Administration - chief financial and administrative officer

Vice President for Finance and Administration

Located in Chicago, IL

Meadville Lombard Theological School is a graduate school affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association having roots dating back to 1844. The school’s degree programs focus on ministerial and religious leadership provided through an innovative low residence program of contextual based learning. Additional information about the school can be found at http://www.meadville.edu. 

POSITION SUMMARY  

The Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA) is the chief financial and administrative officer of Meadville Lombard Theological School and is responsible for all financial, accounting, facilities, human resources, information technology and other administrative functions in accordance with the mission, policies and By-Laws of the school as established by the Board of Trustees, and in accordance with sound practices for non-profit academic institutions and applicable laws and regulations.

Reporting to the President, the VPFA is a key member of the President’s Leadership Team and is responsible for overseeing the school’s financial planning and budgeting and renders financial reports and analysis to the President and Board of Trustees on a regular basis to facilitate planning and to monitor and inform on progress. As a permanent member of the Leadership Team (which carries out tactical and strategic planning and operational oversight and direction), the VPFA provides financial and operational leadership to the school’s strategic planning process and day-to-day operations and decision making. With the Board of Trustees’ Finance and Administration Team, the VPFA works closely with the outsourced Chief Investment Officer hired to manage the school’s endowment. The VPFA manages the school’s business relationships with external contractors and vendors and is the primary senior administrative liaison to the Board’s Finance and Administration Team. The Vice President also serves as the Human Resources officer of the school. 

Positions reporting directly to the VPFA are the Controller and IT Manager. 

RESPONSIBILITIES  

1. Coordinates the preparation of each fiscal year’s operating and capital budgets for the review of the President and the Finance and Administration Team of the Board of Trustees, and presentation to the Board for its approval. Provides detailed analysis and timely reporting of trends and results to support planning and monitoring of progress with strategic initiatives and programs.   Administers operating, capital, and special gifts spending relative to the approved budget. Administers all financial books and records with appropriate accounting control systems and prepares annual financial statements in accordance with “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” to be reviewed by the Finance and Administration Team, for audit by an independent firm of certified public accountants and presentation to the Board of Trustees for approval. Ensures compliance with policies, external mandates, State and Federal Laws and maintains strong internal oversight and controls. Manages the school’s financial assets and liabilities, and with respect to the Endowment Fund, does so in accordance with the “Investment Policy and Guidelines” approved by the Board of Trustees. This includes working closely with the Finance and Administration Team and with the investment consulting firm (acting as Chief Investment Officer) engaged to aid in the establishment of the Endowment Fund objectives and the preparation of the Endowment Fund investment plan.   Provides strategic direction and support to managers in the planning and implementation of human resources at the school, including policy recommendation and implementation, cultivating, and promoting a positive, collaborative, diverse work environment, overseeing new employee orientation programs, creating initiatives that attract, support, and retain a satisfied, high performing, multi-cultural staff in a culture of continual learning and improvement. Facilitates employee searches and appointments, development, staff evaluations, and other staffing matters; serves as the school’s Equal Employment Opportunity Officer.  Oversees the management of the school’s facilities, including lease management, planning for repairs and maintenance, strategic space planning, facility use, serving as liaison to property management-owner, supervision, equipment purchases and replacement, and provides regular reporting to the President and Administration and Finance Team. Actively participates in the administration of financial aid and scholarship programs.  Supervises arrangements with vendors, contractors, service providers, auditors, attorneys, and other consultants, in order to maximize the effectiveness and value of their services. Projects and recommends the need for personnel and organizational structure changes in accordance with the size and evolving needs of the school.  Seeks opportunities for continuous improvement and operational efficiency and documents business and other process updates as they evolve over time.  Ensures school policies, procedures and documents/forms are current and readily available to those based on need.  Serves as Security Officer for the school.  Coordinates task forces, teams, and other initiatives to move the work of the school forward (e.g., Facilities, Marketing and Communications, Strategic Planning, Document Management).   Other duties and projects as regularly assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS  

The ideal candidate will be an experienced financial executive with a record of managing diverse operations, preferably in higher education. Knowledge of human resources and experience assessing and streamlining operations and developing, documenting, communicating, and reinforcing operational processes and decisions is required.  Demonstrated experience with detailed analysis and reporting is essential. 

A candidate with an advanced degree in finance, accounting or business administration, and a minimum of 5 to 7 years of progressively responsible related experience is preferred. Strong strategic planning abilities and executive problem-solving skills are required, as are excellent interpersonal and communications skills.  The candidate will have a collaborative style and be able to engage effectively and positively with faculty, staff, and students.  

The successful candidate will have an appreciation for the school’s mission and vision and have a commitment to the values that are compatible with Meadville Lombard Theological School.  

HOW TO APPLY

Meadville Lombard Theological School offers a competitive salary and strong benefits package including spouse/partner/family insurance options. Meadville Lombard is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, persons of color, and persons with disabilities to apply. The school is committed to enriching its educational experience through the diversity of its faculty, administration, and staff.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and diversity statement, to Lisa Kopecky, Interim Vice President of Finance and Administration, at lkopecky@meadville.edu.  The diversity statement may include your interpretation of diversity, inclusion, gender equity and must include specific examples of how your educational and/or professional experiences, background/philosophy has prepared you for this role—maximum of 500 words).

Open until filled; apply by May 1, 2023, for best consideration.