Vice President for Finance and Administration

at Lander University in South Carolina

Lander University, a comprehensive regional public university in South Carolina, seeks an experienced financial administrator and proven leader to serve as the Vice President for Finance and Administration. Applications and nominations are being accepted.

See complete information in the Search Profile at http://www.myersmcrae.com/skins/userfiles/files/Lander-VPFA.pdf

The Opportunity

For 146 years, Lander University has been preparing graduates for their chosen career paths. Today, the University offers exceptional educational opportunities within its traditional liberal arts and science programs, and its professional programs in business, education, and nursing.

In 2016, under the leadership of its new president, Dr. Richard Cosentino, Lander University approved a new mission statement and developed a strategic plan entitled Launch. This bold strategy set LU on an academic and administrative course that is resulting in growth and success across the entire university.

Currently serving some 3,000 students, Lander University is one of the fastest growing institutions of higher education in South Carolina. Continued growth is anticipated, with future projections trending upwards to 5,000 students in the next four years, which will bring about new challenges associated with the University’s infrastructure.

LU seeks an accomplished financial and business leader who is committed to ensuring excellence in an environment that values honesty, openness, courtesy, and respect. Reporting to the President, the Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA) will serve as the institution’s Chief Financial and Business Officer and is responsible for developing, recommending, and implementing fiscal policy, debt financing, and internal controls to ensure the fiscal integrity of the University. 

As a member of the President’s Cabinet, the VPFA is the trusted advisor to the President on all financial, facility, and business matters and services. This officer provides strategic and operational leadership in support of the mission, vision, and strategic plan for the University and its functioning units.

The VPFA also serves as the Treasurer of the Lander University Foundation. In this role, the Vice President interacts with the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and is the primary liaison to the Board of Trustees’ Finance and Audit Committee and Investment Committee.

Areas of responsibility include Accounting, Budget, Business Office, Finance, Student Accounts, Events Management, Facilities Management, Food Services, Information Technology Services, Police and Parking, Printing Services, Procurement, and Bookstore. The VPFA also serves as the operational liaison with the University’s internal audit function.

The VPFA works collaboratively with the other vice presidents in a manner consistent with the University’s vision, mission, and strategic plan. This senior administrator also provides strong leadership and innovative approaches that are consistent with the strategic plan.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and implements campus business and administrative policies and procedures to reflect best practices.
• Prepares deadline-sensitive reports and resolutions for the Board of Trustees.
• Oversees an enterprise budget of about $80 million and works collaboratively with the University’s administrators, faculty, and staff in budget development and management.
• Provides leadership in the development and management of fiscal policies, procedures, disaster recovery, and internal processes to ensure compliance with all state, federal, and granter requirements.
• Prepares financial statements and reports for use by executive management and the Board of Trustees.
• Develops and maintains systems of internal controls to safeguard assets of the University and oversees post-award federal awards and programs.
• Serves as operational liaison with the University’s internal audit firm, assisting with developing an audit plan and reporting on audit matters.
• Oversees cash flow management to meet University needs.
• Provides leadership to the Lander University Police Department and oversees all aspects of public safety, including emergency management.
• Evaluates campus parking system on a continuing basis, including determining the optimal number of spaces and developing a schedule of repairs.
• Negotiates, manages, and approves contracts for the University ensuring compliance with all procurement regulations.
• Reviews operational efficiencies on a continual basis and seeks to improve services, processes, and responsiveness to students, faculty, staff, administration, and external constituents.
• Works collaboratively with campus departments to support the achievement of enrollment, financial, and other strategic plan goals.
• Provides leadership for the implementation and maintenance of information technology resources, including enterprise resource planning software systems, hardware, and other IT infrastructure.
• Provides leadership for daily management and operations of campus physical facilities.
• Oversees planning, contracting, and implementation of construction projects, including new construction and major renovations.
• Manages the University’s agreement with its food service contractor, working directly with the contractor’s representative and other leadership in evaluating the quality of product and services provided and confirming the accuracy of contractual payments made to the University.
• Works closely with the University’s General Counsel regarding contractual, personnel, and other legal matters.
• Possesses the ability to evaluate and utilize a creative variety of financing and revenue-generating techniques including public/private partnerships.

Qualifications

Candidate must have a master’s degree in Business, Accounting, or Public Administration and a minimum of five years of experience at the executive level, including extensive financial and administrative experience.

The successful candidate also should bring the following experiences, qualities, and commitments to the position:

• Superior analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving abilities
• A clear and demonstrated record of outstanding leadership, a strategic creative perspective, and personal and professional ethics
• Experience in a higher education/non-profit setting
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Extensive supervisory/management experience
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a member of a senior management team
• A valid driver’s license and safe driving history

Lander University

Established in 1872, Lander University is experiencing unprecedented growth, as evidenced by a 26 percent increase in freshman enrollment over the previous fall. More than 91 percent of Lander’s students are South Carolina residents, with every county in the state represented.

Ranked third among regional public colleges in the South for 2018 by U.S. News and World Report, Lander offers more than 60 areas of study, including 16 signature academic programs in fields that are emerging and in high demand. In addition to its academic programs in Arts & Humanities; Behavioral & Social Sciences; Business; Education; Science & Mathematics; and Nursing, the University has an Honors College that offers academically accomplished students challenges both inside and outside the classroom.

A robust selection of pre-professional programs is offered in dentistry, law, medicine, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physician assistant, and veterinary medicine. Students also can participate in a variety of study abroad opportunities, from Central and South America, to Europe, Asia, and beyond.

The University has more than 500 full- and part-time faculty and staff. The campus is a close-knit community of professionals who work together toward the same goal of providing the best educational experience for students.

Lander’s athletic teams are continually ranked in the top 25 in the country and are highly competitive in the Peach Belt Conference and NCAA Division II. Lander student-athletes also score high in the classroom, as many are listed on the Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll.

For additional information, visit the University’s website at www.lander.edu.

Greenwood, South Carolina

Lander University is located in Greenwood, a beautiful, thriving city of some 25,000 residents nestled in South Carolina’s Upstate region. The city has a high quality of life with affordable quality housing and public and private schools. The area offers 100-plus restaurants, shopping malls, an art center, community theatre, movie theaters, parks, festivals, golf courses, fitness centers, and museums.

Greenwood is home to a number of regional festivals, including the nationally acclaimed Festival of Flowers and the Food Network-featured Festival of Discovery. The area also offers plenty of recreational options, including the beautiful 11,000-acre Lake Greenwood. The mild winter weather permits year-around outdoor recreation.

Larger cities, Atlantic coast beaches, and the mountains are easily accessible with three major roadways serving the city.

Application and Nomination Process

Confidential inquiries are welcomed; nominations are invited.

To Apply - Applications must include: 1) Letter of interest, 2) Current resume, and 3) At least five references with full contact and e-mail information (References will not be contacted without applicant’s consent.)

Submit applications to Lander-VPFA@myersmcrae.com by November 5, 2018, for best consideration. The search will remain open until the position is filled.

Submit nominations to Lander-VPFA-Nominate@myersmcrae.com with individual’s full contact and e-mail information.

Emily Parker Myers, CEO, and Jennifer Barfield, Senior Vice President, of Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting, are assisting Lander University with this search.

Lander University is an AA/EEO/Title IX employer and does not discriminate against any person or group on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, pregnancy, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or genetic information and complies with Title IX requirements. Lander University is a tobacco-free campus. Lander University will not provide sponsorship. All final candidates are subject to successfully completing background requirements. The duties and responsibilities of this position require that all applicants be subject to the customary background review, including a credit report.

 

Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting

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