Job Description

The Vice President of Finance and Administration (VPFA) provides equitable, inclusive, and ethical leadership for fiscal strategy, forecasting, and stewardship to enact and advance the mission, vision, values, and priorities of Bemidji State University (BSU) and Northwest Technical College (NTC). The VPFA reports directly to the President, acts as Senior/Campus Financial Officer (CFO), serves as part of the Executive Leadership Team and the Cabinets, and represents BSU and NTC in various roles and on committees of Minnesota State. The VPFA holds supervisory responsibilities for a team of professionals and educational leaders who ensure stability, compliance, and integrity in the areas of Finance and Budget; Facilities Management, Planning, and Construction; Information Technology Services (IT); Risk Management and Public Safety and Security; Parking; Procurement and Logistics, Environmental Sustainability, Business Office, and Student Payroll.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership

Serving as a member of the President's Executive Cabinet and attending NTC Cabinet meetings when appropriate.
Providing thought leadership related to the scope of responsibility in planning and decision-making for BSU and NTC including service as a senior advisor and partner to the President in pursuit of the vision and mission of BSU and NTC.
Centering holistic student learning, success, satisfaction, and achievement leading to long-term educational value in all professional practices.
Demonstrating self-awareness of one's own cultural beliefs, perspectives, and privileges as a part of one's orientation toward leadership.
Acknowledging the specific and particular realities of Indigenous, Black and persons of color, 2SLGBTQIAP+ individuals, first-generation college students, people from low-income families, and other minoritized communities within Northern Minnesota while also connecting communities to local and regional experiences to foster a greater sense of belonging among employees and students.
Advancing campus cultures of proactive, transparent, and inclusive engagement with shared governance. Actively and visibly engaging with campus, local, and regional communities.
Promoting practices that are environmentally sustainable and consistent with practices advanced by American Indian stewards of the region's land, water, and air.
Proactively engage in data-informed practices that lead to continuous improvement.
Committing to the highest level of ethical practice including allocation of time and resources for reflection, rest, mentoring/consultation, etc.
Maintaining currency in areas of leadership responsibility including Senior Financial Officer duties articulated below through engagement with strategically selected and agreed-upon professional organizations.

Senior Financial Officer / Campus Financial Officer (CFO)

Providing strategic guidance and oversight in the development, monitoring, evaluation, and communication of the budget plans for BSU and NTC informed by mission, vision, and values; the strategic plan; and campus budgets.
Convening and facilitating the work of the Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) consisting of selected Cabinet administrators, representatives from bargaining units spanning both campuses, and student representatives from both campuses.
Drawing on data and trends to develop budgetary recommendations for the President and other senior leaders.
Serving as liaison to the BSU Alumni & Foundation and the NTC Foundation, providing consultation regarding Foundation budget and planning including reconciliation of Foundation support with the BSU and NTC budgets.
Establishing baselines and fiscal targets to ensure that institutional budgets are equitable and reflect priorities articulated within the strategic plan.
Providing leadership in preparing and monitoring budgets to ensure compliance with laws, policies, procedures, state statutes, and accreditation requirements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Preparing or directing the preparation of financial/budgetary statements; forecasts; and analyses, reports, and ad hoc reporting.
Study and reporting on budgetary matters and policies including cost accounting to ensure the fulfillment of the short, intermediate, and long-range plans.
Providing leadership for Minnesota State NextGen and Workday applications related to finance as utilized by the BSU and NTC campuses.
Providing leadership for procurement.
Providing leadership and direction that ensures positive outcomes for internal and external audits.
Communicating with students, staff, leadership, community stakeholders, and System Office staff on all matters related to finance and budget.
Representing BSU and NTC at system-wide meetings and other external entities.
Partnering with the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness to compile, analyze, and interpret relevant data for strategic and data-informed decision-making as related to the scope of responsibility.
Educating BSU, NTC, and related stakeholders about fiscal, facility, technological, and risk management practices.

Facilities and Space Management

Providing strategic guidance and oversight for the development, monitoring, evaluation, and communication of all plans for all buildings, grounds and related operations as informed by institutional mission, vision, and values; the strategic plan; and the comprehensive facility plan.
Advancing institutional priorities of student success; diversity, equity, and inclusion including accessibility; and environmental sustainability in all facilities related work.
Preparing Requests for Proposals and hiring and working closely with architects and construction/management firms.
Communicating effectively with staff, students, leadership, community stakeholders, and Minnesota State System Office about space planning, building, and facilities management.

Sustainability

Providing strategic oversight and operational leadership for environmental sustainability by developing, implementing, and monitoring policies, practices, and performance metrics that advance energy efficiency, resource conservation, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability goals.
Collaborating with facilities, finance, and campus stakeholders to integrate sustainability principles into capital planning, building operations, maintenance, and vendor management while ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and budgetary constraints.

Safety and Security Service

Leading and managing the Safety and Security Services including reporting of OSHA, hazardous waste, gas emissions, and parking.

Information Technology Services (IT)

Providing leadership and management of IT administrative and academic computing services including telecommunication and other enterprise technology, network systems, and technical support operations.
Supporting leadership in the preparation of a strategic plan for IT Services.
Communicating with students, staff, faculty, leadership, and community stakeholders on technology needs, budgets including technology fees.
The work of Safety and Security Services.
Collaborating with the Head of Staff to lead, manage and Implement Emergency Plans including the Continuity Plan.