Vice President for Finance & Administration

Ohio Wesleyan University seeks a collaborative, strategic, and forward-thinking leader to serve as its next Vice President for Finance & Administration (Vice President). Reporting to the President and serving as a key member of the President's Cabinet, the Vice President will provide focused leadership in financial management, strategy, analysis, and long-term planning while helping guide the University through a period of significant institutional momentum.

Under President Matt vandenBerg's leadership, Ohio Wesleyan has achieved notable progress in strengthening enrollment, improving retention, reducing the institution's discount rate, and increasing net tuition revenue per student, positioning the University favorably among its peer institutions. President vandenBerg has engrained an entrepreneurial, high-velocity approach to institutional strategy and innovation, advancing multiple initiatives and partnerships in a fast-moving, boldly strategic environment designed to strengthen OWU's academic distinction and long-term financial sustainability. At the same time, OWU is preparing to launch an ambitious strategic plan centered on establishing its market position as "America's University for Ambitious Self-Discovery." The institution has also secured transformational philanthropic support for key initiatives and is preparing for a major fundraising campaign to advance its strategic priorities.

In this context, the Vice President will serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the President, providing disciplined financial leadership while helping translate institutional ambition into sustainable financial strategy. The role will maintain oversight of key administrative areas, including finance, budgeting, human resources, procurement, facilities and campus operations, while maintaining a clear focus on fiscal leadership and long-term financial planning. The successful candidate will be comfortable operating in a strategically ambitious environment, bringing a positive, solutions-oriented leadership style, strong communication skills, and the ability to operate effectively within a shared governance environment, building trust and alignment across faculty, staff, senior leadership, and the Board of Trustees.

"*We need a strategic, creative, entrepreneurially minded leader who executes with the same intensity she or he thinks - someone who will drive our innovative strategies to completion, build the operational infrastructure to sustain them, and bring fresh thinking of her or his own*.  - President Matt *vandenBerg*"

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Serve as the University's chief financial strategist, partnering with the President and Cabinet to develop, refine, and monitor the University's long-term financial strategy while identifying innovative approaches to strengthening OWU's financial sustainability.
• Lead the development of multi-year financial models and planning frameworks that align institutional priorities with sustainable fiscal pathways.
• Provide rigorous analysis, creative financial thinking, and strategic insight to guide major institutional investments, initiatives, and long-term planning.

Budgeting and Financial Planning

• Oversees the University's comprehensive budgeting process, including management of the institution's operating and capital budgets.
• Strengthen budgeting processes to ensure greater transparency, consistency, and collaboration across divisions.
• Provide timely and clear financial reporting and forecasting to support informed decision-making by campus leadership.

Financial Analysis, Data, and Reporting

• Develop and implement robust financial analytics and reporting tools, including dashboards and scenario modeling, to enhance the University's ability to assess financial performance, evaluate strategic opportunities, and anticipate challenges.
• Ensure financial data and reporting are accurate, accessible, and understandable for stakeholders across the institution.

Cabinet and Presidential Partnership

• Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the President, providing clear, candid financial counsel and proactive communication.
• Work collaboratively with Cabinet colleagues to evaluate new initiatives, align resources with institutional priorities, and support cross-campus strategic effort.

Board Leadership and Treasury

• Serve as Treasurer to the Board of Trustees and a key liaison to the Board's finance-related committees.
• Work closely with the Board of Trustees' Investment Subcommittee in the oversight of the University's endowment, supporting the committee as it establishes investment policy, asset allocation ranges, and performance goals.
• Partner with the committee and external investment management firms to monitor investment performance, provide financial analysis and reporting, and ensure strong stewardship of the University's endowed funds.

Administrative and Operational Leadership

• Provide leadership for a division of approximately 40 employees responsible for key administrative functions including accounting, student accounts, financial planning and budgeting, human resources, procurement, risk management, and campus services.
• Build strong operational systems and empower senior staff leaders to ensure excellence across the division.

Campus and Capital Stewardship

• Oversee stewardship of the University's physical campus, including facilities operations, buildings and grounds, and capital planning.
• Partner with institutional leaders to advance major capital initiatives, including significant current and future projects such as the library transformation and sustainability investments, and develop a systematic approach to addressing deferred maintenance.

Institutional Alignment and Shared Governance

• Operate effectively within Ohio Wesleyan's shared governance environment, engaging thoughtfully with faculty leadership, governance committees, and campus stakeholders.
• Communicate complex financial matters clearly and transparently, fostering trust and shared understanding around financial strategy and institutional priorities.

Reporting Areas

The Vice President for Finance & Administration provides leadership and oversight for the following functional areas:

Accounting Office - Office of Student Accounts - Office of Financial Planning Budgeting - Office of Human Resources - Office of Procurement - Campus Reservations - Risk and Insurance - Buildings and Grounds - Custodial Services/ Groundskeeping (contracted vendor) - Mail Room - Central Receiving - Print Services

Experience

• Minimum of IO years of progressively responsible leadership experience in finance, administration, and related functions.
• Significant experience in financial reporting, analysis, forecasting, and long-term financial planning, with a demonstrated ability to support strategic decision-making.
• Proven leadership in developing and managing inclusive budgeting processes and strengthening financial transparency and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze risk, evaluate financial scenarios, and guide organizations through complex financial challenges.
• Experience overseeing or partnering on major capital initiatives, construction projects, and long-term facilities planning.
• Experience managing complex administrative or finance organizations, including leading multi-layered teams and developing strong operational leadership within the division.
• Track record of using data, analytics, and technology to improve financial insight, reporting, and operational effectiveness.
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.

Key Characteristics

• Positive, can-do leadership style that is cooperative, solutions-focused, and measured in responding to challenges.
• High integrity and trustworthiness, operating with transparency and a "no surprises" approach with senior leadership.
• Extraordinary communicator who can translate complex financial issues for diverse audiences, including faculty, trustees, donors, and external partners, and build trust through clarity, candor, and credibility.