Vice President for Finance and Administration

An Institution on the Move. An Opportunity to Make a Lasting Impact. Millsaps College is entering an exciting new chapter. With a bold strategic plan, expanding academic partnerships, innovative educational pathways, and renewed investments in the student experience, the college is building on its distinguished history while positioning itself for the future. Located on a beautiful, 100-acre campus in Jackson, Mississippi, Millsaps combines the personal attention and academic excellence of a nationally recognized liberal arts college with an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to institutional progress. Millsaps seeks an accomplished, forward-thinking executive to serve as its next Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA). Reporting directly to President Frank Neville and serving as the college's chief operating officer, the VPFA will play a central role in shaping institutional strategy, strengthening financial sustainability, and ensuring that Millsaps has the people, systems, and resources necessary to achieve its ambitions. For a financial and operational leader energized by meaningful challenges, collaborative leadership, and the opportunity to make a lasting institutional impact, Millsaps offers a compelling opportunity. Building on Momentum: A College Shaping Its Future Millsaps has introduced Ad Excellentiam, its strategic plan for 2026–2031 , establishing a roadmap built around three priorities: Vitality: Strengthening the college's financial and operational foundation to ensure long-term sustainability. Community: Fostering a vibrant campus culture and building meaningful partnerships. Impact: Expanding educational experiences, opportunities, and outcomes that prepare students for purposeful lives and successful careers. The college is already advancing important initiatives that reflect these priorities. Expanding educational opportunities. New partnerships with the University of Mississippi School of Law and MC School of Law create accelerated pathways for eligible students to earn bachelor's and law degrees in six years, opening new possibilities for academic and professional success. Investing in access and community. Through a new partnership with Jackson Public Schools, eligible students can receive renewable scholarships covering at least 50% of undergraduate tuition, strengthening connections between Millsaps and the community it serves. Enhancing the student experience. Millsaps will return to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference beginning with the 2027–28 academic year, reinforcing its commitment to an enriching NCAA Division III student-athlete experience. Building on academic distinction. Home to Mississippi's first Phi Beta Kappa chapter and the AACSB-accredited Else School of Management, Millsaps continues to distinguish itself through rigorous academics, personalized education, and experiential learning. Together, these initiatives reflect an institution actively pursuing new opportunities while remaining true to its mission. The next Vice President for Finance and Administration will help turn this momentum into lasting institutional strength , ensuring that academic aspirations, operational priorities, and financial resources are aligned for the years ahead. A Strategic Partnership with Institutional Leadership Under the leadership of President Frank Neville, Millsaps is advancing a vision that connects academic excellence, innovation, community engagement, and long-term institutional sustainability. The VPFA will serve as a trusted strategic partner to the President and senior leadership team, translating institutional priorities into sound financial decisions, effective operations, and sustainable investments. This is a highly visible leadership position with meaningful opportunities to influence the college's direction and directly contribute to the success of its students, faculty, and staff. The Opportunity: Lead, Build, and Strengthen As chief operating officer and a member of the President's leadership team, the VPFA will provide institution-wide leadership across four essential areas. Financial Strategy and Business Operations The VPFA will help guide Millsaps toward lasting financial strength through thoughtful planning, disciplined stewardship, and forward-looking decision-making. Responsibilities include: Leading long-range financial planning, forecasting, scenario analysis, and financial modeling. Directing operating and capital budgets, accounting, financial reporting, audits, and internal controls. Overseeing cash management, investments, endowment administration, debt, and banking relationships. Providing oversight for student accounts, purchasing, contracts, insurance, regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk management. Developing transparent financial reporting that supports informed decision-making by institutional leadership and trustees. Aligning financial strategy and resource allocation with enrollment, academic priorities, campus investment, and long-term sustainability. Human Resources and Organizational Excellence Millsaps recognizes that institutional success begins with its people. The VPFA will help strengthen the systems, policies, and culture that support employees and encourage professional excellence. Responsibilities include: Overseeing recruitment, onboarding, compensation, benefits, workforce planning, and retention practices. Advancing effective performance management, employee development, and organizational accountability. Ensuring responsible management of employee relations, institutional policies, records, and regulatory compliance. Supporting a collaborative, inclusive, and service-oriented workplace. Helping institutional leaders align staffing priorities with organizational needs and financial resources. Information Technology and Institutional Innovation Technology plays an increasingly important role in institutional effectiveness, student services, financial management, and academic operations. The VPFA will: Provide strategic direction for institutional technology planning, governance, and investment. Oversee enterprise systems, administrative platforms, networks, and technology infrastructure. Strengthen cybersecurity, data protection, disaster recovery, and business continuity. Guide technology budgets, procurement, vendor relationships, and service delivery. Identify opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness, efficiency, and the experience of students, faculty, and staff through technology. Facilities and Campus Operations The beauty and character of the Millsaps campus are integral to the college's identity and student experience. The VPFA will provide strategic oversight of its physical assets while helping prepare the campus for evolving academic and institutional needs. Responsibilities include: Leading facilities operations, maintenance, capital planning, and infrastructure stewardship. Developing responsible approaches to deferred maintenance, facilities renewal, and long-term campus investment. Overseeing construction, renovation, and campus improvement projects. Managing facilities budgets, contracts, utilities, vendor relationships, and sustainability initiatives. Ensuring emergency preparedness, operational continuity, regulatory compliance, and responsible risk management. Aligning physical infrastructure with academic, residential, athletic, student life, and administrative priorities. A Trusted Partner in Institutional Governance The Vice President will serve as the primary institutional liaison to the Board of Trustees' Finance and Facilities, Investment, and Audit committees . This responsibility requires an executive who combines financial sophistication with exceptional communication skills, integrity, and sound judgment. The successful candidate will bring transparency and clarity to complex financial discussions, help trustees assess opportunities and risks, and provide the strategic analysis necessary to support responsible institutional decision-making. Who Will Thrive at Millsaps? Millsaps seeks an accomplished leader who combines the discipline of a seasoned financial executive with the creativity, adaptability, and collaborative spirit necessary to help an institution evolve. The ideal candidate will demonstrate: Strategic financial expertise: Significant experience in financial planning, accounting, budgeting, investments, endowments, debt management, financial modeling, and organizational sustainability. Broad operational leadership: A successful record overseeing complex administrative functions, including human resources, technology, facilities, and business operations. A builder's mentality: The ability to develop talent, strengthen systems, improve processes, and guide organizations through meaningful change. Institutional perspective: An understanding of how financial strategy, enrollment, academic priorities, and resource allocation intersect to influence long-term success. Sound judgment and integrity: A demonstrated commitment to accountability, transparent decision-making, and responsible stewardship. Collaborative leadership: The ability to build trust and work productively with the President, trustees, faculty, staff, and external partners. Strategic and analytical thinking: Exceptional critical thinking, data analysis, problem-solving, communication, and organizational change leadership skills. A commitment to people and mission: An appreciation for residential liberal arts education and the ability to develop, mentor, and inspire high-performing teams. A master's degree in business or a related field and/or CPA designation is preferred. Higher education experience is preferred but not required. Accomplished executives from other complex organizations who bring relevant financial, administrative, and operational leadership experience are encouraged to apply. Above all, Millsaps seeks a leader who can connect vision with execution, bringing financial discipline, intellectual curiosity, and a genuine enthusiasm for helping the college achieve its aspirations. A Distinctive College. A Remarkable Setting. Founded in 1890, Millsaps College has long been recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, experiential learning, and close relationships between students and faculty. With an approximately 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, distinctive academic programs, and a strong tradition of preparing graduates for lives of professional achievement and civic engagement, Millsaps offers an educational experience in which personal relationships and individual opportunity remain central. The campus, with its mature trees, green spaces, historic architecture, and welcoming atmosphere, offers an exceptional environment for learning, working, and living. Discover Jackson, Mississippi An exceptional career opportunity should also offer an appealing place to call home. As Mississippi's capital city, Jackson combines Southern hospitality, distinctive neighborhoods, and a rich cultural heritage with an accessible cost of living compared with many larger metropolitan areas. The nearby Fondren and Belhaven neighborhoods offer locally owned restaurants, galleries, coffee shops, and a vibrant arts and music community. The area also provides access to museums, outdoor recreation, and regional destinations throughout the Southeast. For candidates considering relocation, Jackson offers the opportunity to enjoy an engaging community and an appealing quality of life while contributing to an institution with meaningful ambitions. Help Build What Comes Next Millsaps College has a proud history, a clear strategic direction, and exciting opportunities ahead. The next Vice President for Finance and Administration will be instrumental in building on this momentum, providing the financial leadership, operational expertise, and strategic partnership necessary to strengthen the college for generations to come. If you are a strategic financial leader, a collaborative problem-solver, and someone who finds professional fulfillment in helping an institution grow stronger, we invite you to explore this opportunity at Millsaps College. Application Instructions Interested candidates should submit a cover letter outlining their financial, operational, and administrative leadership experience, along with a current resume or curriculum vitae. Candidates from higher education and other complex organizations are encouraged to apply. Ferra Executive Search has been retained to lead this search. Applications, nominations, and confidential inquiries are welcome. Kevin Ferra, President Ferra Executive Search kevin@ferrasearch.com Please use "Millsaps College | Vice President for Finance and Administration" as the subject line. Visit ferrasearch.com/jobs to learn more. Millsaps College is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an inclusive environment for its students, faculty, and staff.