Position Summary
The Vice President of Finance and Administration (“VP Finance”) serves as the senior financial leader of the College and a key strategic partner to the President and Board of Trustees. The VP Finance is responsible for the overall financial health, sustainability, and stewardship of the institution, including financial planning, budgeting, treasury, investments, compliance, and risk management. The position is now open due to the retirement of a long-serving individual.
The successful VP Finance candidate will be able to demonstrate strategic thinking, is mission-driven, and has experience as a CFO or Director/VP Finance in higher education, non-profit, or a related field. We are seeking an individual who has a collaborative management style and an entrepreneurial spirit.
In a smaller college environment, such as Trocaire, the VP Finance plays a highly visible and hands-on leadership role, effectively balancing strategic financial planning with operational execution. Ideally, the role requires a deep understanding of tuition-driven revenue models, enrollment sensitivity, and the regulatory landscape of higher education.
This is a rare opportunity to help shape the financial future of a mission-driven college deeply rooted in healthcare education and workforce development in Western New York. The VP Finance will play a central role in driving sustainability, supporting enrollment growth, and ensuring the College continues to deliver high-impact, career-focused education.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE
Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1958, (originally called Sancta Maria College and changed their name to Trocaire College in 1967) is a private, career-oriented institution known for its strength in:
- Healthcare and nursing programs
- Allied health and workforce-ready degrees
- Serving diverse, non-traditional, and first-generation students
The College plays a critical role in addressing regional workforce shortages – particularly in healthcare - across Buffalo and the broader Western New York Region.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Partner to the President and the Board
- Serve as a trusted advisor on all financial and strategic matters and works in collaboration with the President and the President’s Council to facilitate the educational and institutional mission and goals of the College and the development and implementation of the Campus Master Plan.
- Present clear, actionable financial insights to the Board of Trustees.
Financial Strategy and Sustainability
- Lead long-range financial planning and scenario modeling.
- Align financial strategy with enrollment trends and program performance.
- Drive initiatives that enhance net tuition revenue and operating margin.
Budgeting and Financial Oversight
- Oversee the full institutional operating budget modeling forecasts and other selective financial reports annually for campus leadership and the Trocaire College Board of Trustees.
- Serve as the staff liaison with the Finance, Investment and Audit Committees of the Board of Trustees.
- Oversee the development, implementation and maintenance of the financial accounting system, monthly financial reports, purchasing, AR, AP, cash management and the annual audit.
- Ensure strong financial controls and transparency.
Enrollment and Financial Aid Partnership
- Work closely with enrollment and financial aid leadership to:
-Optimize tuition pricing
- Model enrollment scenarios
- Improve predictability of net tuition revenue.
Operations Compliance and Risk
- Oversee accounting, audit, tax, and regulatory compliance.
- Ensure adherence to requirements from the US Department of Education and other governing bodies.
- Oversees the management of the Business Office, contracted services related to campus facilities, grounds and safety, maintenance and housekeeping, and the bookstore.
- Maintain strong internal controls and risk management practices.
Treasury, Cash and Capital Planning
- Manage cash flow, liquidity, and banking relationships.
- Evaluate financing strategies for institutional priorities.
- Oversee the College’s investment program, including communications with investment consultants and money managers, compliance with investment guidelines and other financial reporting requirements.
Leadership and Culture
- Lead and develop a lean, high performing finance team.
- Promote financial literacy and accountability across the team.
- Operate as a collaborative, mission-aligned leader.
- Establishes accountabilities for direct reports and goals used for performance evaluation, conducts performance reviews, recommends wage adjustments, promotions, and dismissals, and takes approved corrective action as needed.
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required, (Masters preferred) with 7 or more years of progressively responsible financial leadership experience.
- Prior CFO or senior finance leadership experience; strong preference for higher education, non-profit, or similarly complex environments.
- Demonstrated ability to operate both strategically and tactically.
- Excellent communication skills; written and oral.
- Experience in tuition driven or enrollment sensitive business models is a nice-to-have and will set you apart.
- Excellent ability to translate financial data into clear strategic decisions; is competent in interpreting and following generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), FASB, NACUBO and federal/state policies and regulations.
- Is knowledgeable regarding facilities management.
- Has experience with Debt Financing and Management.
- Analyzes and communicates multiple, complex tasks within and external to the College community.
- Understands the changing role of technology and its application in an educational environment.
- Stays current in the fields of Finance and Accounting.
- Proven success partnering with Boards.
- Must be collaborative and relationship driven.
- High integrity, transparent and analytical thinker.
COMPENSATION
Base Salary: $150,000 – $200,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
Benefits: A comprehensive executive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, a strong retirement plan, vacation, sick leave, and generous holidays.
STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
Trocaire College is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to addressing discriminatory practices. The equal employment opportunity policy of Trocaire provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, or disability, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local law. Trocaire College hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.
