Vice President of Finance & Operations

Employer: Ridgewater College

Location: Willmar, Minnesota

Salary: Range: $116,314 - $185,771 / Anticipated Hiring Wage: $130,000 - $155,000

Date posted: Sep 10, 2025

Position Type: Chief Business Officers & Vice Presidents, Executive

Employment Level: Mid-Level

Employment Type: Full Time

Institution Type: Two-Year/Community Colleges

Classification: MnSCU Excluded Administrator – Range 9

Campus: Willmar

Labor Plan: Personnel Plan for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Administrators

Employment Condition: Full Time, Unlimited

Classified Status: Unclassified

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday (8:00am-4:30pm)

Anticipated Hiring Wage: $130,000 – $155,000 (dependent on experience and internal equity)

Salary Range: 9

PCN: 01146701

Job Summary

The Vice President of Finance and Operations provides strategic leadership, vision, and oversight for the College’s financial, operational, and facility functions. This includes responsibility for budgeting, financial planning, fiscal operations, facilities management, financial aid, auxiliary enterprises, risk management, safety and security programs, and capital construction projects. As the College’s Financial Officer, the Vice President serves on the Executive Committee and reports directly to the President, offering critical guidance on financial and facilities-related issues and opportunities.

This role supports a two-campus operation and plays a key part in advancing the College’s mission by strengthening budget planning, resource allocation, and administrative processes in support of teaching and learning, student success and continuous improvement and innovation. This role requires a commitment to shared goals with the College President and with the College’s Executive team, as well as the ability to establish and maintain productive collegial and professional working relationships with the internal and external community.

The College seeks a trusted advisor who leads with empathy, integrity, and inclusiveness, and who models ethical decision-making and service to others. This leader will demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with sensitivity to the varied backgrounds of students and employees. Through collaboration with faculty, staff, supervisors, and administrators, the Vice President will cultivate fiscal accountability, mutual trust, and respect, creating an environment where all members of the College community can thrive.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as the College’s Financial Officer responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing the financial management and auxiliary services of the college and provide overall management of fiscal operations.
• Provide leadership to organize and direct the safety and security of the College.
• Supervise the maintenance supervisors responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing plant operations and the day-to-day facility operations of the College.
• Provide a strong leadership role within the College and Minnesota State system.
• Human Capital Management

Qualifications:

The Vice President of Finance and Operations must have the expertise and experience to lead the finance and facilities operations of a 2-year, student-centered public institution and possess the following qualifications.

Minimum Qualifications (required skills to enter the job; must be identified on application materials)

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field
• Five years of relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership, management, supervision, communication, and interpersonal relations. Experience interpreting and applying federal and state legislation, regulations and state, system, and institutional policies.
• Demonstrated effective written and verbal communication skills.
• High degree of computer literacy, including proficiency and demonstrated ability to use technology to develop business process efficiencies.

Preferred Qualifications (desired but not required)

• Advanced degree in a related field.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and Inclusion and experience working with a diverse range of colleagues and constituents.
• Experience working in a collective bargaining environment.
• Experience in public sector accounting, finance or business management.
• Experience in higher education, preferably with a public two-year institution.
• Experience in strategic planning, project management, and change management.

How to Apply

Apply online at: https://minnstate.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Minnesota_State_Careers/job/RIDG---Willmar-Campus/Vice-President-of-Finance---Operations_JR0000003201

Why Work For Us

GREAT BENEFITS PACKAGE! Minnesota State offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 11 paid holidays each year
• Medical Insurance (Single Coverage $38.50 per month and Family Coverage is $262.66 per month)
• Dental Insurance (low deductibles)
• Paid Parental Leave (six weeks)
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care)
• Retirement Plan
• Tax-deferred Compensation
• Generous vacation and sick leave