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Please contact Jim Prince for salary information Managing Budget: $110 million Reports to: Dr. Greg Cant, President Vice President of Finance and Operations The vice president of finance and operations (vice president) serves as an integral part of the Wilkes University executive leadership team, with responsibility for guiding the high-level direction for all financial and business operations of the university. The vice president supervises the areas of finance, physical plant, information technology, university police, and risk/compliance. The vice president, working in close communication with the president, serves as the chief financial liaison to the Board of Trustees, communicating with the Finance Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Investment Sub-Committee while implementing the investment decisions for the endowment. The vice president of finance and operations supports campus-wide strategic analysis and planning in a complex university setting, manages the annual budget process in alignment with the university’s strategic priorities and goal of moving towards an accountability-based budget approach, effectively manages operational cash flow for the institution, is responsible for capital planning and improvements and addressing deferred maintenance, and will bring new and creative ideas for the overall financial and operational improvements at the university. Qualifications and Characteristics of the Successful Candidate In addition to the qualifications stated above, key stakeholders identified the following capabilities and attributes of a successful candidate: Master’s degree in finance or related discipline, with five or more years of demonstrated senior-level experience in higher education (other industry experience may be considered, depending upon an individual’s background) in related areas of responsibility. Advanced financial, operational, and administrative knowledge with a keen understanding of risk management and minimizing university exposure, including cybersecurity, liability, safety and property risk experience, and knowledgeable in areas of technology. Strong data analytics experience, budget and forecasting experience, and cash flow management. Must be capable of budget transparency and building trust in the budget process. Systems and technical expertise, with demonstrated ability to improve business processes. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required, as well as the ability to engage in close collaboration with diverse stakeholders effectively, with respect and understanding of the role and value of shared governance. Must show evidence of being a strong leader, capable of strengthening staff as a team, respecting the history of accomplishments, and willingness to be a partner. History of the Position After a successful three years of service, the current vice president and chief operating officer will be retiring from the university in June 2025. Opportunities and Challenges of the Role In transitioning to Wilkes University, the vice president of finance and operations will encounter the following opportunities, priorities, and challenges, as shared by key campus stakeholders: Opportunity to work at a great institution with a visionary president with a new strategic plan for the future, working in an environment within a strong leadership team and good relationships with faculty and staff. Opportunity to continue to build on the financial and operational successes of the university. The new vice president will benefit from an institution that is financially stable with a balanced operating budget. The university has experienced incremental growth in undergraduate enrollment in the past two years and expects continued growth in first-year students in fall, 2025. Graduate programs are in high demand with consistent enrollment growth. There is a need to build a transparent and inclusive budget process. The vice president must be a strong communicator with an ability to explain complex issues to stakeholders who often have limited financial experience. New and creative ideas will need to be explored for continued financial stability. The current vice president has addressed much of the “low hanging fruit” in the budget. A comprehensive plan will need to be developed for addressing deferred maintenance. The vice president will have an opportunity to assess the structure of the finance department and fill two key positions, including the lead for the finance department. Measures of Success The items listed below will define the vice president of finance and operations’ success throughout the first year of employment: There is evidence that trust has been built with cabinet members, trustees, faculty, staff, and students. The budget and reporting process has improved with evidence of being more transparent and efficient. New and creative financial and operational strategies have been introduced that will further strengthen the university. Evidence of effectiveness in team building and supporting staff. There is evidence that this person is highly visible, well organized, eager to ask questions and listen, and is a strong communicator capable of being able to adapt. The vice president exhibits strong financial skills, stays within budget, effectively utilizes technology in reporting, and explains data in a meaningful way. The division of finance and operations is responsible for the overall financial, business, and operational management of the university. Reporting units consist of: Finance Office Bursar’s office Accounts Payable Budget and Analysis General Accounting and finance projects Investor relations Physical Plant Department Police Department Risk/Compliance Department Institutional Overview Since 1933, Wilkes has been preparing students for lifelong success. National rankings recognize its commitment to access and making a Wilkes education as affordable as possible, while highlighting the ongoing return on investment for graduates. Wilkes offers theprograms , activities, and opportunities of a large university in the close mentoring environment of a small college. The university has approximately 2,000 students at the undergraduate level and close to 3,000 (total headcount) students at the graduate and first professional levels. Faculty members work side by side with students in pursuit of solutions to the most pressing questions of the day. Contributing 2,300 jobs and over $250 million in impact to Pennsylvania’s economy, as well as more than 120,000 annual hours of hands-on community service by students, faculty, and staff. The university is located in downtown Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, a city of approximately 45,000, part of the metropolitan area home to more than 550,000. Wilkes-Barre is within two and one-half hours driving distance of Philadelphia and New York City. The Student Body (2023-2024) Undergraduate: 1,956 Graduate: 2,991 Male: 30.8% Female: 68.8% African American/Black: 12.1% Asian: 3.8% White: 69.9% Two or More Races: 2.5% Unknown: 1.1% Institutional Leadership President Greg Cant is regarded as a visionary academic leader who grew enrollment at previous institutions by developing a variety of innovative and market-driven programs. A native of Australia, he has 30 years of experience as an educator and administrator in the United States and abroad. Cant was named the seventh president of Wilkes University on December 12, 2019, at a ceremony in the Sordoni Art Gallery, aptly surrounded by the photographs of presidential photographer Pete Souza. When he officially began his tenure as Wilkes president in late-May 2020, both the campus and the country as a whole were faced with significant challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among Cant’s first priorities as president was to oversee plans for a successful campus reopening for the fall 2020 semester. Under Cant’s leadership, a cross-functional group of university employees ensured that Wilkes students, faculty, and staff were able to experience a fall semester with residential opportunities and uninterrupted academic instruction. Cant holds a PhD from the University of Western Australia, a master’s degree in industrial relations from Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada, and a bachelor’s degree in industrial relations and economics from the University of Western Australia. Please click here , to learn more about benefits information at Wilkes University. Application Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. To apply for this position, please click on the Apply button, complete the brief application process, and upload your resume and position-specific cover letter. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email . Wilkes University is committed to providing a welcoming environment for all members of our community and to ensuring that all educational and employment decisions are based on individuals’ abilities and qualifications. Wilkes University prohibits discrimination in its educational programs, employment, admissions or any activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion , disability, pregnancy, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local laws. Discriminatory conduct including sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct or violence such as rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, and coercion will not be tolerated. Consistent with this principle, Wilkes University will comply with state and federal laws such as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act or other applicable state law, Title IX, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Ethnic Intimidation Act of 1982 (P.L. 537-154) and other laws that prohibit discrimination. #J-18808-Ljbffr