Education , University , Ed

Alfred University – located in Western New York State- a small, private, comprehensive doctoral degree-granting university with 1700 students and a $240M endowment and state-sponsored programs in engineering, and art and design, is doing a national search for its next of Vice President for Business and Finance/Chief Financial Officer (VPBF). Alfred has been included on the Princeton Review list of the 359 Best Colleges for the 35th consecutive year, has the #1 ranked MFA in Ceramics and is ranked #12 among best value schools in the country in US News and World Report.

The Vice President reports directly to President Mark Zupan, serves on the President’s leadership team and is an active participant in all aspects of institution-wide financial management, planning and policy development. This individual will join a dynamic and energetic senior team which is student-centered and supports academic excellence, co-curricular engagement, and involvement in an inclusive and vibrant community of learners and makers.

Alfred is fortunate to have a very talented and dedicated board. Alfred students are innovators, makers, and purpose focused.

The University seeks a strategic financial leader who can align resources, investments, and revenues to advance Alfred University’s mission and strengthen the student experience. The new VP will serve as a trusted partner to the President, Provost, and leadership team, bringing a forward-looking perspective to institutional decision-making, anticipating emerging opportunities and challenges, and developing financial models that support sustainability over the coming years.

The ideal candidate will combine exceptional financial expertise and administrative acumen with an entrepreneurial mindset-helping academic and administrative leaders make thoughtful choices about investments, identify opportunities for greater efficiency, and cultivate new and sustainable sources of revenue. Above all, the new VP will be student-centered, deeply committed to the value of higher education and Alfred University’s distinctive mission, and motivated by the opportunity to help position the University for long-term success.

The successful candidate will be forward-thinking, entrepreneurial, transparent, collaborative, collegial, an engaged listener, and an exceptional communicator who can build trust and foster a culture of shared accountability and strategic stewardship.

The new VP will manage the areas of finance, facilities, risk, food service (in partnership with the VP of Student Engagement), bookstore, ancillary services, procurement, and investments and endowment. The VP will support the Finance, Building and Grounds, Audit, and Investment committees of the board of trustees.

Challenges and Opportunities

• Move the University to Financial Equilibrium
• Develop New Sources of Revenue and Help Increase Existing Revenue
• Develop a Budget Process and Balanced Budget
• Maintain Efficient, Cost-Effective Operation of the University
• Partner with the Town and the Village
• Provide Leadership to all Direct Reports and Create an Effective Team
• Gain Trust and Communicate Effectively with the Campus

Please review the position profile for additional information about the University and the position.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will be student-centered, positive, collaborative, optimistic and forward thinking. The VP will demonstrate unquestioned integrity, be an outstanding listener, open to feedback and input, a good communicator, a strategic thinker and possess strong and effective interpersonal skills that engender trust and cultivate collaboration. The VP will have a strong commitment to promoting inclusivity. They will be a…