Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Business Affairs
Application deadline: April 28, 2024
Senior Consultant: Dan DiBiasio
dan.dibiasio@academicsearch.org
Consultant: Andrea Cowsert
andrea.cowsert@academicsearch.org
Otterbein University, a regionally accredited liberal arts university known for its pace-setting innovation and its inclusive, close-knit community in Westerville, Ohio, seeks inquiries, nominations, and applications for its next Chief Financial Officer & Vice President for Business Affairs (CFO & VPBA), with an ideal start date of June/July 2024.
The CFO & VPBA reports to the President and is a key member of the University’s leadership team and officer of the University, contributing to the overall University strategy and operations. This institutional leader will collaborate with the President and leadership to direct and oversee financial activities and controls of the University. They will offer strategic thinking, vision, innovative ideas, and approaches to the team they manage and to senior leaders. They will lead and direct the planning process of all major capital projects and meet all reporting requirements.
The CFO & VPBA will lead the oversight of the Controller’s Office, Budget Office, Business Services, Risk Management, Facilities Management & Planning, Office of Human Resources, Information Technology Services (outsourced), and Bookstore (outsourced). The CFO & VPBA will be responsible for a budget of $68 million and assets of approximately $250 million.
The CFO & VPBA also serves the Otterbein University governing board by staffing its Audit and Risk Management Committee and Financial Resources Committee to enable the Board of Trustees’ management of its fiduciary duties.
To learn more about Otterbein and the campus community, please visit www.otterbein.edu/about/.
Qualifications
Applicants must have an advanced degree (or equivalent combination of education and experience) in business administration, public administration, accounting, finance, or related field. Certified Public Accountant designation preferred but not required.
Applicants should have a significant and progressive record of successful leadership experience in a supervisory role within Business Affairs; a proven track record of financial planning with a proactive, decisive style that correlates with long term goals and mission; strong financial analytical and reporting skills; experience in managing debt; significant line-management experience in a variety of financial areas, preferably including experience in supervising the physical plant and human resources; the ability to establish external relationships and negotiate with financial entities (i.e., line of credit, rating agencies, bond holders, etc.); experience with risk management strategies.
Applicants should be highly motivated and self-directed with the capacity to integrate diverse constituencies (students, faculty, staff, facilities, services) within an overarching financial plan; have experience with the development or modification of enterprise resource planning systems; have excellent working knowledge and experience in higher education practices and regulations. Active engagement in NACUBO and one or more regional affiliates is preferred.
How to Apply
Otterbein University is being assisted by Academic Search. Prospective candidates may arrange a confidential discussion by contacting Dr. Dan DiBiasio at Dan.DiBiasio@academicsearch.org or Andrea Cowsert at Andrea.Cowsert@academicsearch.org. Applications and nominations should be submitted electronically to OtterbeinCFO@academicsearch.org. Applications must include a cover letter that addresses the priorities and qualifications described in the leadership profile; a curriculum vitae; and a list of at least three professional references with contact information, including telephone and email, and a note indicating the candidate’s working relationship with each. References will not be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate. This position is open until filled, but only applications received by April 28, 2024, can be assured full consideration.
Upon acceptance of a contingent job offer, Otterbein University, with the assistance of a third-party firm, conducts a background check and credit screening in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. All information obtained is held in strict confidence.
Otterbein University is an Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer.
Beyond this, Otterbein University is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty and staff to reflect its student body and the communities it serves. Candidates with diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Visit www.otterbein.edu/about/careers/ to learn more about employee benefits.