Vice President of Finance and Administration

Catawba College seeks an experienced  and strategic leader with a strong record of progressively responsible leadership to serve as the College’s Vice President for Business and Finance (VPBF). The VPBF will have the opportunity to shape the future of a college that is at a significant moment in its 172-year history. On the heels of a transformational $200 million endowment gift, with laudable work that positions the College for reaffirmation by SACSCOC and with the pillars of a strategic plan in place, Catawba is poised to take a momentous step forward. At this juncture, Catawba College seeks a seasoned leader to work closely with the President, College leadership, and the Board of Trustees to preserve and further capitalize on Catawba's unique strengths in order to make the College even better tomorrow than it is today.

Catawba College, with a current enrollment of 1,200 undergraduate and graduate students, is consistently named one of the Top 10 Best Colleges in the South by U.S. News & World Report and is regularly recognized by Colleges of Distinction for its innovative approach to education and its expert blending of the liberal arts with professional programming in business, health sciences, and education. The College's combination of small size, undergraduate focus, and professional programs immersed in the liberal arts has long been the foundation of its success.

Catawba College's scenic campus is in the historic piedmont city of Salisbury, North Carolina, (pop. 34,000) located 45 minutes from the greater Charlotte area and the triad area of Greensboro, High Point, and Winston-Salem. Spread out over 276 wooded acres and 41 buildings, the campus is a beautiful blend of neogothic architecture which meets the shaded hillside of the Center for the Environment and the College’s 189-acre ecological preserve. Catawba is two hours from the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina and four hours from some of the best beaches on the Atlantic Coast.  

A member of the President’s Cabinet, the Vice President for Business and Finance serves as a critical strategic partner and advisor to the President of the College, Cabinet, and the Board of Trustees. The VPBF is Catawba’s chief financial and business officer, providing leadership to ensure effective stewardship of Catawba’s physical and financial resources. The VPBF oversees Catawba’s financial functions, including but not limited to budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, financial planning and strategy, asset management, and risk and liability management. The VPBF is also responsible for a range of administrative functions including but not limited to the operation and maintenance of Catawba facilities, construction projects, Information Technology, sustainability, fleet management, camps and conferences, and purchasing. The successful candidate will be an experienced financial executive with a successful record of managing diverse operations and demonstrated expertise in strategic asset/liability management, financial planning and management, strategic planning, accounting, and budgetary and regulatory compliance. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field is required., CPA licensure and an MBA or graduate degree in a relevant field are preferred. The ideal candidate will bring senior financial and operations management experience in a higher education institution or relevant experience elsewhere at an organization of comparable scope, scale, and complexity.

The search team at Catawba will begin reviewing materials immediately. For best consideration, please send all nominations and expressions of interest (cover letter and resume) in confidence to:

Jim Sirianni, Managing Director
Steve Leo, Managing Director
Brian Bustin, Senior Associate
Storbeck Search
[email protected]  

For more information, please visit Catawba College's home page at https://catawba.edu

Catawba College is committed to diversity and inclusion. In adherence with applicable laws and as provided by College policies, this institution prohibits discrimination in its employment practices and its educational programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and veteran status. Additionally, Catawba College promotes equal employment opportunity for women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program.