Pensole Lewis College (PLC) is the Creative Northstar and premier Historically Black College or University (HBCU) that is Rebranding Education and Blacklighting the Industry. We are the pipeline for career-focused learning and professional development serving all students of the game. To be a student of the game is to prepare and empower yourself to enter the industry and make it better for the next generation.

At PLC, we offer a new path to do just that—break into the world of product creation and change the scope of what it looks like to navigate within educational and career pathways. We believe in carrying the vision together. We put trust in our partners and creative community to drive change in providing access to the tools and opportunities needed to succeed in the future we are designing.

Make the choice to bear the torch to lead the way forward. Learn more about PLC Detroit at https://www.plcdetroit.com.

PLC Detroit's story begins in 1928, when Violet T. Lewis—a visionary Black educator and entrepreneur—founded Lewis Business College in Indianapolis with a $50 loan. At the invitation of the Detroit Chamber of Commerce, she opened a branch in Detroit in 1938, which soon became the college's primary campus. Her goal was bold and practical: to equip Black women with the office and business skills needed to thrive in corporate America. By 1987, Lewis College of Business became Michigan's only Historically Black College, serving generations of students with excellence, purpose, and pride until it closed its doors in 2013.

In 2021, this legacy was reignited by Dr. D'Wayne Edwards, a celebrated footwear designer and former corporate executive. Under his leadership, the college reopened as Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design, honoring the legacy of Black educational excellence while embracing a bold, forward-looking mission to serve the design economy.

Today, PLC Detroit is more than a college—it's a movement. Backed by leading philanthropic and corporate partners like the Gilbert Family Foundation and Target, PLC is the only HBCU in the country solely dedicated to design, and the only academic institution in Detroit aligned with the city's UNESCO "City of Design" designation.

PLC Detroit is reimagining what accessible, industry-informed education looks like for students of color. Through degree and certificate programs, PLC prepares students to lead and create across fashion, footwear, product design, and business. Our offerings include:

Degree Programs: PLC offers a Bachelor of Arts in Design with specializations in Product Creation, Marketing, Color and Materials, and Functional Apparel and Accessories. These programs center mentorship, industry access, and real-world experience to prepare students for creative leadership roles.
Certificate Programs: Short-term, high-impact certificate programs like Design Essentials, LEAD, and Masterclass intensives are developed with partners including Nike, New Balance, and Target. These immersive experiences connect students directly to brands through design briefs, hands-on training, and career pipelines.

Together, PLC's programs form the foundation of its vision: to be the pipeline for career-focused learning and professional development that serves all students of the game.

At this pivotal time, Pensole Lewis College seeks a mission-aligned, dynamic, and hands-on Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead the organization through this vital period of growth, accountability, and re-accreditation. As a key member of the executive team, the CFO will be responsible for building and leading a high-performing finance team while overseeing all financial functions—including budgeting, forecasting, accounting, reporting, audits, and compliance.

Reporting to the President and working closely with the Board of Directors, the CFO will ensure the financial health and operational integrity of the institution. This is a rare opportunity to shape the financial infrastructure of a fast-growing institution with deep historical roots, high-profile funders, and a mandate to innovate in education.

Financial Leadership:

Lead all aspects of the college's day-to-day financial operations, including budgeting, payroll accounts payable, accounts receivable, forecasting, financial reporting, and analysis, and general ledger functions.
Develop and implement clear financial strategies, policies, procedures, and internal controls to support the college's long-term stability and strategic objectives.
Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards and best practices, particularly in preparation for higher education accreditation.
Oversee audit readiness and collaborate with external auditors, grantors, and regulators.
Spear-head initiatives to improve financial performance, including cost management, revenue enhancement, and investment strategies.
Implement strong systems for contract management and fund tracking.

Executive Leadership and Constituent Engagement:

Serve as a thought partner and advisor to the President, Board of Directors, and senior leadership team to bring financial clarity and vision and recommendations to execute the college's strategic plan.
Communicate financial insights and information transparently and accessibly to internal and external constituents—including donors, grantors, financial institutions, and regulatory bodies—to foster a culture of transparency and trust.
Collaborate in the institutional strategic planning and long-term financial modeling.

Team Development:

Build and lead a high-performing, scalable finance team, fostering a culture of excellence, team building, and continuous improvement.
Recruit, train, lead, mentor and develop finance staff, providing opportunities for professional growth and development while building operational excellence.
Develop systems and tools to improve financial reporting and decision-making.

Financial Reporting and Analysis:

Prepare and present accurate and timely financial reports to the President, Board of Directors, and other constituents.
Conduct financial analysis to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, and provide actionable insights to drive informed decision-making.
Lead or support development of financial models for earned revenue and philanthropic revenue streams focused on optimizing the college's financial resources, ensuring efficient allocation and utilization.

Risk Management:

Identify and mitigate financial risks, ensuring the college's financial stability and sustainability.
Oversee insurance programs and manage relationships with external auditors and regulatory agencies.
Ensure compliance with 501(c)(3) nonprofit regulations, government and philanthropic grant requirements, and procurement policies.

We recognize that there is a breadth of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

Passion for the Mission

An entrepreneurial fiscal leader, you bring deep expertise in nonprofit financial leadership and a track record of supporting mission-driven organizations through periods of significant change. You pride yourself on being both a culture carrier and steadying force, and ground big vision in financial reality while advocating for sustainable growth, transparency, and accountability. You see this role as an opportunity to collaborate and shape a culture of access and excellence through your financial leadership and deeply appreciate the unique context and legacy of HBCUs—and PLC's role within Detroit's creative and educational ecosystem. You lead with cultural fluency, humility, and a people-first approach that reflects the values and aspirations of your teams, constituents, and the communities they serve.

Technical Finance and Compliance Acumen

You are highly skilled in core finance disciplines, including fund accounting, budgeting, audit readiness, financial modeling, and compliance. You have led or supported the design of financial systems and internal controls that meet rigorous nonprofit and/or higher education standards, and you are fluent in presenting financials to executive leadership, boards, and regulatory bodies with a high degree of professionalism, transparency, and accessibility. An agile communicator, you build and lead financial systems that meet the expectations of auditors, regulators, and accreditors alike and communicate those systems clearly to boards, funders, executive teams, and key constituents with fluency and clarity.

A Builder and Systems Thinker

As a leader, you are drawn to PLC's ambitious path forward and see yourself as a hands-on, proactive leader who can create order out of ambiguity, build structure, and build capacity within evolving or entrepreneurial settings. You know how to navigate transitions, establish policies, and lead others through change. You understand how to design systems that balance flexibility with accountability and are energized by structure-building—designing systems, policies, and workflows that are both scalable and responsive to a fast-evolving organization.

Executive Gravitas and Advisory

PLC Detroit calls for someone who brings not only technical skill but strong leadership presence and an entrepreneurial spirit. A clear communicator, and values-driven thought partner, you have a track record of serving as a strategic counselor, foster trust, transparency, organizational foresight with professionalism and calm judgment to moments of decision-making, even in times of ambiguity. You build trust through transparency and model mutual respect, clear communication, and shared accountability.

In addition, strong candidates will offer:

10+ years of senior-level financial leadership, preferably in a nonprofit or higher education environment
Bachelor's degree required; MBA, CPA, or equivalent experience strongly preferred.
Experience with nonprofit audit preparation and financial compliance.
Track record of leading an institution through accreditation or similarly rigorous oversight processes is highly desirable.
An entrepreneurial mindset and comfort operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment is required.

Salary for the role is anticipated to range from $200,000 - $225,000, commensurate with experience. PLC Detroit offers a competitive benefits package.

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