PROFESSIONAL & ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS
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TITLE: |
Vice President for Administration/Chief Financial Officer |
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DEPARTMENT: |
Administrative Services |
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SALARY RANGE: |
$160,000-$180,000 |
Description of Duties
Reporting to the President and serving as a vital member of the President’s Cabinet, the Vice President for Administration is responsible for the strategic leadership over the University's fiscal management and Division of Administrative Services. This requires strong leadership, vision, and oversight in these areas, as part of the campus’ leadership team. Serving as the Chief Financial Officer, the Vice President is the key advisor to the President on all matters related to SUNY Canton's finances. While prioritizing projects in consultation with campus leadership, the Vice President coordinates the campus’ master planning and energy planning programs. They will also collaborate with the Canton College Foundation and College Association on various campus initiatives. The Vice President supports SUNY Canton's mission, vision, and values through effective structure, policies, and services to promote and sustain a transparent culture of evidence, assessment, improvement, quality, and accomplishments. Providing oversight, stewardship, and transparency, the Vice President helps the college community understand the status of fiscal, university, and facilities resources and how decisions are made thereto.
Responsibilities
The Vice President for Administration leads a division dedicated to providing transparent fiscal management and facilities management across the institution. Fostering a welcoming and inclusive team environment, they will supervise, support, mentor, and encourage the professional development of staff in the Division of Administrative Services and help identify succession planning solutions for long-term stability of the division. The Division of Administrative Services currently consists of Revenue Accounting, Procurement & Travel, Student Accounts & Financial Aid, Budget & Internal Control, Facilities Planning & Services (including Capital Projects, Environmental Health, Safety, and Sustainability), Information Technology, University Police, and the College Association – a non-profit 501c(3) corporation contracted by the College to provide a variety of services, including campus dining programs, the campus store, vending, catering, student laundry services, campus IDs, student mail, textbooks, and student government accounting services. The Vice President serves as an ex-officio member of the College Association Board. The Vice President provides strategic vision and leadership for the Division of Administrative Services to find creative solutions and new ideas for issues that may arise, doing so within the parameters of a public/union environment. They will ensure quality service from all departments and promote a culture of data-informed assessment and evaluation of programs and services within the Division. Working collaboratively, the Vice President formulates and communicates short-term and long-range goals for the division that reflect the campus' strategic plan.
The Vice President for Administration represents the Administrative Services Division at campus meetings, SUNY meetings, and other events as requested by the President and works closely with SUNY System Finance, State University Construction Fund, SUNY Counsel, and University Audit Offices. They promote the work of Administrative Services across all campus divisions and within the 64-campus SUNY system. The Vice President will also be aware of, understand, and follow all SUNY and university policies. They will maintain confidentiality, as appropriate, according to law or policy, of information acquired in the work of the university. The Vice President will also perform other duties as assigned by the President.
Knowledge/ Skill Qualifications
Required:
- The successful candidate will bring a minimum of five years of leadership experience in finance and/or administration, including supervisory experience over a large and diverse team with direct supervision and performance management.
- The new Vice President will have experience with long-range strategic financial planning for a complex organization.
- They will possess excellent communication skills with the knowledge and experience of interpreting financial information and presenting it to various audiences in a way that enhances transparent strategic decision-making.
- A bachelor’s degree, preferably in accounting, finance, business administration, management, or a closely related area from an accredited institution of higher education is required.
Preferred:
- Preferred qualifications also include experience with higher education and/or New York and SUNY budgetary processes and operational and accountability measures; a history of implementing initiatives that contribute to the sustainability of a university; experience as an administrator in a public/union environment; the ability to provide financial modeling and forecasting; demonstrated creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship in revenue generation; and an interest in and commitment to community engagement and professional development.
- An MBA or a master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, management, or a closely related area from an accredited institution of higher education is preferred.
- A CFR or CPA designation is also preferred.
How to apply?
Interested candidates should submit only a cover letter and resume/curriculum vitae to RPA Inc. at SUNYCantonCFO@rpainc.org. For a confidential discussion about this opportunity or to make a nomination, please email Kira Heath, Search Manager, or Amanda O’Donnell, Vice President and Senior Consultant, at the email address listed above. The first review of candidates will continue through June 25, 2025.
SUNY Canton, a unit of the State University of New York, is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. SUNY Canton is building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and strongly encourages applications from minority and women candidates.
The college is located in Canton, a village in the St. Lawrence River valley of northern New York. Located 20 miles from the St. Lawrence River and the Adirondack Park, and 70 miles from the Canadian capital city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canton holds excellent opportunities for the outdoor or cultural enthusiast. SUNY Canton is a member of the Associated Colleges, a consortium of four colleges.