Chief Operating and Financial Officer

Cornell College invites applications to assume the role of Chief Operating and Financial Officer.
This leader is responsible for implementing Cornell’s strategic plan, overseeing the College’s
financial condition, and managing shared services supporting all activities of the College. This
role brings together critical administrative activities under one leader with the intention of
further increasing the strategic and operational effectiveness, efficiency, and speed of these
functions—all with the ultimate goal of fostering a service mindset and increasing employee
satisfaction as Cornell educates, recruits, and retains students.

This leader will oversee several functional areas including Business and Financial Services,
Facilities, Information Technology, Marketing and Communications, and Talent &
Engagement/Human Resources. They will also be a core member of the President’s Council
which sets policy and strategic direction and will chair and oversee activities of the Planning,
Budget, and Evaluation Committee which is responsible for developing strategic plans as well as
implementing and measuring the success of those plans. This leader will be successful by
accelerating the College’s ability to respond to changes in the market and deliver needed
organizational programs and initiatives. This leader will lead operational change to build
seamless and efficient business processes that ensure projects are completed in an accurate and
timely manner and reduce administrative burden across the College.

Because Cornell College values diversity and strives to create a welcoming community in which all individuals are respected and included, the entire campus community is called upon to engage in dialogue around issues of difference, identity, and ideology. The college is committed to fostering a faculty and staff community that reflects our diverse student body. We encourage applications from candidates who share our vision for a campus that embraces differing backgrounds, viewpoints, and identities, and who will excel at mentoring students who are broadly diverse. (See our diversity statement here.)

About Cornell College
Cornell College is a selective liberal arts college distinguished by our Ingenuity curriculum that builds on the strengths of our One Course At A Time schedule. This combination encourages the qualities of being thoughtful, original, and inventive, using the strengths of a liberal arts education to apply ideas to solve problems and meet challenges through hands-on experience in learning. Academic immersion, Division III NCAA athletic teams, and unparalleled flexibility attract an ambitious student body from across the U.S. and worldwide. We are located in Mount Vernon, Iowa, an urban fringe community located in the heart of the ICR Iowa region.

Ten plus years of financial management experience are required. Additional experience overseeing
Facilities, IT, and HR a strong plus. Other desirable qualifications include:

• Higher Education experience is desirable but not required. Experience with financial and operational experience from other industry sectors including Healthcare Services, Hospitality,
• Professional Services, and possibly Military Operations (within its Healthcare and Supply Chain operations).
• Bachelors (Required) or Masters (preferred) in financial management fields including, economics, accounting, finance, business administration, and public administration/management.  A CPA is a plus.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to the College’s business model as an enrollment-driven institution and its implications for student (customer) retention and how every office, department, and functional area’s policies must support their success.
• Experience leading or supporting a shared services operational model is a plus
• Experience leading process development and improvement initiatives.
• Strong analytical skills to solve complex problems and situations.
• High degree of sophistication in managing projects and major change initiatives.
• Experience developing strategic plans that realize organizational goals and initiatives.
• History of setting and meeting ambitious targets and taking calculated risks aimed at delivering added value.
• Track record of establishing a high-performing culture.
• Team player with a track record of building, motivating, facilitating, and engaging teams; establishing accountability; and developing leaders.

Application Process
This position will remain open until filled, and applications will be reviewed as received. To
apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and three references to cornellvp-coo-cfo@dhrglobal.com. 

Cornell is an AA/EO employer and encourages applications from underrepresented groups. Cornell
complies with Iowa's Smoke-free Air Act, participates in e-verify for verification of employment
eligibility, and conducts background checks.