Vice President of Finance and Operations

Wilkes University, an innovative, independent, comprehensive university in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for its vice president of finance and operations. This is an on-site leadership role.

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. 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.

Reporting to the president, the vice president of finance and operations (vice president) supports campus-wide strategic analysis and planning in a complex university setting, manages the annual budget ($110 million) process in alignment with the university's strategic priorities and goal of moving towards an accountability-based budget approach, and effectively manages operational cash flow for the institution. The vice president is responsible for capital planning and improvements, addressing deferred maintenance, and for bringing new and creative ideas for the overall financial and operational improvements at the university. The vice president is responsible for a total of six direct reports representing the areas of finance, physical plant, information technology, university police, risk/compliance, and an administrative assistant.

Salary Range: Please contact Jim Prince.

Qualifications

• 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.

Application and Nomination
Wilkes University has selected Spelman Johnson, a leading executive search firm, to assist with leading this search. Review of applications will begin May 7, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Submit a resume and cover letter via https://apptrkr.com/6131386

• Contact Jim Prince at [email protected] for confidential inquiries.

• Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email [email protected].

Visit the Wilkes University website at www.wilkes.edu

AA/EOE Statement
https://www.wilkes.edu/about-wilkes/offices-and-administration/human-resources/employee-policy-manual/equal-opportunity-harassment-nondiscrimination-policy.aspx