Job Description Summary

Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President, Division of Administration & Finance and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) is a member of the President’s Cabinet and acts as a key business partner with other Cabinet members to advance the University’s mission and strategic plan. The CFO is a strategist, who advises the President, Cabinet, and the Board of Trustees on the alignment of financial resources and business strategies that will allow the University to achieve its short- and long-term strategic goals while ensuring compliance with all accounting and financial regulations. The CFO serves as a visionary leader, ensuring financial responsibility while fostering cross-functional collaboration to drive institutional success in a complex and evolving economic landscape. The CFO also takes the lead in promoting a campus climate of financial transparency, good stewardship of institutional resources, and open and respectful dialogue about use and alternative uses of university funds. The CFO is responsible for providing strategic as well as tactical leadership for the University’s financial operations and physical plant, and is charged with partnering with the President, the Provost, and other members of the Cabinet to align the university’s financial resources with its strategic goals. Critically important is the need for the candidate to be an expert in financial planning and analysis (FP&A) and integrated business and strategic planning. Given the challenges facing higher education as an industry, Bentley will rely on the CFO to partner closely with the President and Provost to lead a collaborative process of budgeting, resource allocation, and resource optimization that reflects the changes influencing both the higher education industry and Bentley University.

Direct reporting functions into the CFO include finance and treasury, facilities, procurement, campus services, as well as internal audit services and enterprise risk management. The CFO will partner with other Cabinet members across divisions in both strategic and business planning, as well as resource management. The candidate will provide a high level of cost-effective financial services and capabilities to both fulfill the finance organization’s responsibilities and support its stewardship of the University’s financial and physical assets. The CFO serves as an institutional catalyst, stimulating sound financial management practices across the organization that support both change and the achievement of the strategic and financial objectives of the University. The CFO also serves as a role model for how to engage a variety of individuals with different perspectives to develop creative solutions to resource constraints.

Essential Duties

Ensure that the financial, capital and operational resources are safeguarded, developed, and managed wisely, deployed with integrity, and aligned with the University’s goals and external expectations.
Direct responsibility for proactive and strategic financial management of the institution’s financial reporting/statements, internal financial controls, long range financial risk models, including accountability for the annual operating and capital budgets, fiscal policies and procedures, and the efficiency and effectiveness of financial systems.
Provide leadership, advice and counsel on campus facilities planning and operations, and financial planning strategies to the President’s Cabinet.
Primary contact and management of the Audit Committee, Administration and Finance Committee, and Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees. With the Committee Chair, drive the agenda for each committee.
Provide timely and accurate Financial Planning & Analysis for the President, Vice Presidents, Associate Vice Presidents, and Board of Trustees.
Oversee Bentley’s investment portfolios, cash management function, and fund managers for assets not managed by the OCIO (outsourced Chief Investment Officer).
Design, manage, communicate, and execute all aspects of the University’s debt strategy consistent with strategic and capital needs and goals.
Partner closely with the VP for University Advancement to project and monitor gifts for annual and capital purposes.
Drive an effective risk management and internal audit function, ensuring the organization is deriving value from these efforts.
Responsible for the University’s casualty and liability insurance coverage, ensuring that the program is up to date and provides adequate coverage.
Ensure the institution’s physical plant is maintained and serving the tactical and strategic needs of the community.
Manage the campus and conference services effectively, serving our students, faculty, and staff, while also generating an important source of revenue diversification.
Design a procurement function that supports the divisions as they select vendor partners and optimize service and cost.
Represent the University to diverse external parties including rating agencies, banks, insurance representatives, external auditors, and others.
Establish strong working relationships with the President, Board of Trustees, Provost, Vice Presidents, Deans and key members of faculty and administration, with a strong commitment to collaboration, transparency, and mutual respect.
Assist the President and Provost in providing regular updates to the campus community about the University’s financial resources and performance.

Minimum Qualifications

Degree in a relevant field plus at least 15 years of related experience. Strong financial and operational experience. An MBA and/or CPA is a plus. Solid treasury experience and comprehensive knowledge of capital financing including debt issuance, bond ratings, and other complex financing strategies.
Proven ability to partner effectively as a fully collaborative member of a high-performance team and to interact constructively with a variety of individuals. Track record of ethical decision making and integrity in dealing with individuals and organizations. A broad perspective, with the desire and ability to partner cooperatively and collaboratively across all divisions and to build coalitions with various constituencies.
Superior financial planning and analytical skills, and an in-depth knowledge of budgeting, modeling, debt management, compliance, construction finance, and strategic financial analysis, including demonstrated experience identifying and utilizing best practices and performance benchmarks for the finance function and activities within it.
A seasoned and skillful manager with a record of recruiting, developing, and mentoring diverse and talented staff. A person who places a high priority on the professional development of staff through delegation of responsibility and expert tutelage.
A strong commitment to and understanding of the use of technology to improve service and efficiency and reduce costs are required. Also critical is a deep understanding of the financial and operational challenges facing organizations today, whether in higher education or other complex industries. Candidates must demonstrate an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to addressing the current and future business challenges.
Must possess the acumen to handle complex situations and multiple responsibilities simultaneously mixing long term projects with the urgency of immediate demands on the operations; possess the agility and inclination to advance complex projects and solve problems collaboratively and creatively, coupled with the willingness to act resourcefully, authoritatively, and resolutely.
Strong communication capabilities, including listening, writing, speaking, influencing, and presenting to a variety of audiences. Demonstrated skills in respectfully negotiating difficult, and at times, contentious conversation about resource allocations and suggesting alternative approaches as necessary.
Specific expertise with real estate projects and/or acquisitions will be a plus.

Work Environment

Typical office environment. Requires frequent sitting and use of a computer and keyboard.

Bentley offers a total rewards package designed to attract, motivate, retain, and reward employees. This includes competitive market-based compensation, robust benefits, career development and opportunities, paid time off, a positive and engaging employee experience, and more.

The hiring range for this position is $325,000/year - $470,000/year. Final pay will depend upon experience and relevant qualifications.

Bentley University requires references checks and may conduct other pre-employment screening.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Bentley University strives to create a campus community that welcomes the exchange of ideas, and fosters a culture that values differences and views them as a strength in our community.

Bentley University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, building strength through diversity. The University is committed to building a community of talented students, faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of global business. We strongly encourage applications from persons from underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, covered veterans and those with diverse experiences and backgrounds.

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Bentley University

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Vice President, Division of Administration & Finance and Chief Financial Officer