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Virginia Wesleyan University (www.vwu.edu) is accepting nominations and applications for the position of Vice President for Finance. Reporting to the President and serving as an integral member of the senior management team, the VP for Finance is responsible for the development of Virginia Wesleyan’s nonprofit financial management strategy and contributes to the development of the University’s strategic goals. In addition to the strategic components, the Vice President is charged with developing and implementing sophisticated policies and procedures for the financial and compliance needs of the University.

Duties and responsibilities

• Coordinate and preside over meetings with the President and the Board of Trustees during Board Committee assignments for the Finance, Endowment and Audit committees.
• Oversee the activities of Finance and Administration, including Finance, Human Resources, Purchasing, Duplication and Postal, and Scribner University Store.
• Formulates and implements policies and procedures that will ensure the University follows all applicable accounting pronouncements.
• Prepare year-end financial statements and coordinate annual audits with an independent public accounting firm for audits of the University’s financial statements.
• Monitor and maintain University compliance with bond covenants.
• Prepare annual operating and capital budgets for the University in cooperation with the President and his Cabinet, with faculty and staff support and interaction for presentation to Board Committees.
• Provide routine updates of budget status to the President, Cabinet and Board for use in providing operating budget projections for fiscal year.
• Manage the investments of the University in coordination with the University’s investment management firm, following guidelines established by the Endowment Committee of the Board of Trustees by following asset allocation mix and sound capital protection strategies while working to accomplish the goals of our Endowment Policy.
• Oversee general liability and risk management functions of the University. Coordinates annual insurance renewals with insurance brokers.  Advise others on risk management policies and procedures.  Oversee the annual renewal of student health insurance/intercollegiate athletics accident insurance.
• Evaluate financial and other service relationships, including banking, audit, insurance, tax services, payroll, facilities, food service, etc. to determine the highest quality services available in a cost-effective manner. Make recommendations to the President and Cabinet regarding these services.
• Evaluate Finance and Administration quality of service to students, staff and visitors, and uses feedback from these customers to enhance customer service.
• Work with Information Technology to review current and evolving technologies to improve and extend services to the University.
• Complete special projects and other duties at the discretion of the President.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred
• CPA preferred but not required
• Minimum five years’ experience in a senior management role within finance
• Experience with nonprofit finance and accounting regulations
• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills including negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Strong mentoring and coaching experience to a team with diverse levels of expertise
• Superior management skills and the ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers
• Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive; a team leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical finance and administration initiatives
• Ability to interface with senior management’s nonprofit Board of Trustees and staff

Selected by The Princeton Review to be included in The 388 Best Colleges: 2023 Edition, Virginia Wesleyan University is Coastal Virginia’s premier university of the liberal arts and sciences. Situated on a 300-acre park-like campus in Virginia Beach, the University annually enrolls approximately 1,600 students in undergraduate and graduate programs and an additional 2,000 lifelong learners in credit and non-credit programs offered by VWU Global Campus. The University features a College of Arts and Sciences that includes the Batten Honors College, Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Goode School of Arts and Humanities, Birdsong School of Social Science, and the Watts School of Professional Studies, as well as VWU Global Campus with a wide variety of online and continuing education and a collaborative campus in Tokyo, Japan. As a learning community located in the rich and unique ecosystems of Coastal Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the University is committed to promoting and developing the next generation of environmental stewards. As such, Environmental Guiding Principles are embedded in all aspects of operations, including management of the endowment.

Virginia Wesleyan University is being assisted by the partners of Hyatt-Fennell, Executive Search Plus. Submit nominations and application materials to VWU@hyatt-fennell.com. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should be submitted prior to October 1 to receive full consideration. Applications include a letter of interest that addresses the position requirements, a current resumé/CV, and contact information for five professional references, in separate documents. All applications and nominations will be considered highly confidential.

Virginia Wesleyan University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered on the basis of skills, experience, and qualifications without regard to race, religion, color, creed, gender, national and ethnic origin, age, marital status, covered veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, the presence of non-job-related medical disability, or any other legally protected status.