Chief Financial Officer

Founded in 1844, The University of Olivet is a private, mission-driven institution located in south-central Michigan. From its beginning, Olivet has been committed to making education available to individuals regardless of race, gender, or ability to pay. Today, the University continues to provide a relationship-based educational experience grounded in individual and social responsibility, personalized attention, and the belief that education should enrich lives intellectually, morally, and spiritually.

The next vice president and chief financial officer will join the University at an important moment as it advances “The University of Olivet 2030: A Vision for a Prosperous Future”.

The plan establishes a bold agenda for building a thriving, financially secure, and comprehensive institution while remaining firmly “Olivet.” In recent years, the University has made strategic investments in new online programs, enrollment growth, marketing, technology, and institutional capacity. With many of these new initiatives now launched, the University is positioned to move from development and investment toward growth, scale, and long-term financial sustainability. The position offers an opportunity to work closely with the president, Board of Trustees, and senior leaders to strengthen financial planning, support responsible growth, improve institutional decision-making, and align resources with the University’s mission and priorities.

The University seeks an experienced financial leader who combines strategic thinking with practical execution. The successful candidate will be transparent, collaborative, and comfortable working across the institution while maintaining strong financial discipline, accountability, and stewardship.They will understand how to support growth and innovation while helping ensure that investments, operating decisions, and institutional priorities are aligned with long-term financial sustainability.

The vice president and chief financial officer serves as the University's senior financial officer and provides strategic and operational leadership for its financial and administrative affairs. Reporting directly to the president, the VP/CFO is a member of the President's Executive Council and Cabinet and works closely with the Board of Trustees and other senior leaders to advance the University's mission, priorities, and long-term financial sustainability.

The VP/CFO is responsible for maintaining the University's fiscal health and ensuring the effective stewardship of its financial resources. The position leads annual and long-range financial planning, budgeting, accounting, cash and debt management, investments, audit, financial reporting, regulatory compliance, overseeing functions of the business office, including student accounts and accounts receivable.

The successful candidate will combine strategic financial leadership with the ability to engage directly in the University's day-to-day financial operations. The VP/CFO will provide clear and timely information, evaluate opportunities and risks, and help University leaders make decisions that appropriately balance mission, quality, growth, and financial sustainability.

LEADERSHIP ROLE

• Serves as a trusted adviser to the president, senior leadership, and Board of Trustees.
• Connects financial strategy and resource allocation to the University's mission and priorities.
• Provides transparent and understandable financial information.
• Builds effective partnerships across academic and administrative areas.
• Leads with integrity, accountability, sound judgment, and a commitment to service.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Annual operating and capital budgets
• Long-range financial planning and forecasting
• Accounting, reporting, and internal controls
• Cash flow, liquidity, and debt management
• Endowment and investment oversight
• Annual audit and regulatory compliance
• Federal and state funds administration
• Insurance and enterprise risk management
• Financial performance of auxiliary enterprises
• Institutional planning and resource allocation

QUALIFICATIONS AND APPLICATION

The successful candidate will be an experienced financial leader with demonstrated accomplishments in financial management, institutional planning, and administration. They will bring strong technical knowledge, sound judgment, and the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to a wide range of audiences.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field.
• Graduate degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field, or current CPA licensure.
• At least three years of higher education financial management experience or at least five years of progressively responsible financial management experience in another complex organization.
• Demonstrated experience with budgeting, forecasting, accounting, audit, cash management, investments, internal controls, and financial reporting.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, analytical, and leadership skills.
• Commitment to the mission and values of The University of Olivet.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• CPA licensure.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible financial leadership experience.
• Significant experience in higher education, particularly within a private, tuition-dependent, or nonprofit institution.
• Experience working with governing boards.
• Experience with endowment and investment management, debt, enterprise risk management, auxiliary operations, and federal and state funds.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

APPLICATION AND NOMINATION

Confidential applications, inquiries, and nominations are invited. Review of applications will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled. Candidates are encouraged to submit materials as soon as possible for full consideration.

Candidates should submit:

• A letter of interest addressing their qualifications and interest in the position
• A current resume or curriculum vitae
• Contact information for professional references

SUBMIT APPLICATION MATERIALS

CONFIDENTIAL INQUIRIES

Ryan Shockey
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
RShockey@UOlivet.edu