Vice President for Finance and Administration

St. Bonaventure University (SBU) invites nominations and applications for its next Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA). St. Bonaventure seeks an experienced, strategic, and forward-thinking finance executive looking to lead change and transformation in a dynamic residential educational environment. This person will balance competing demands and University initiatives, and they will prioritize resources to serve the community as SBU’s next Vice President of Finance and Administration. The role offers an exciting and unique opportunity to lead the financial direction of a small liberal arts institution that offers all the opportunities of a large school with a strong and growing enrollment history, a moderate endowment and University budget, and an innovative and engaged senior leadership team. This is an exciting time to join St. Bonaventure, as the VPFA will have the opportunity to contribute to the many ambitious strategic goals of the President and the institution. 

Reporting directly to President Jeff Gingerich, the VPFA will be a dynamic and visionary leader who works closely with the President's cabinet, Board members, faculty, students, and staff to facilitate the University's strategic, financial, and operational vision and goals. The VPFA will be influential in developing and implementing a comprehensive, future-driven financial strategy through leadership and oversight of diverse functional areas, including the Business office, Events Management, external contract services, Facilities – maintenance and housekeeping, Enterprise Risk Management and Legal Services, Purchasing, Treasury and Investments, as well as Capital Programs and Construction.

ABOUT ST. BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY    

St. Bonaventure University was founded through the initiative and dedicated efforts of Nicholas Devereux, a large landholder and financier from Utica, N.Y., with the cooperation and support of John Timon, Bishop of Buffalo, and members of the Franciscan Order. Their dream of more than a century and a half ago has flourished, and St. Bonaventure University has expanded greatly during more than 160 years of its existence.

St. Bonaventure is a Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition, dedicated to educational excellence informed by both Franciscan and liberal arts foundations. In the words of St. Bonaventure – the institution’s patron, SBU believes that there should be “no knowledge without love,” and thus seeks to transform the lives of its students, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship. St. Bonaventure embraces students, faculty, and staff of all faiths and cultures and strives to bring out the best in every individual through meaningful relationships. As an academic and spiritual community, SBU endeavors to prepare students for the challenges they will face in their professional careers and personal lives. Learn more about SBU’s Mission & Values.

Home to over 2,000 undergraduate students and 700 graduate students, St. Bonaventure is a transformative community committed to academic excellence and civic engagement. Shaped by its values of compassion, wisdom, and integrity, SBU is lauded for its value and innovation. Boasting three straight years of record-high first-year undergraduate enrollment, St. Bonaventure is ranked No. 6 for best value schools and No. 14 for innovation in the North by U.S. News & World Report. Located in the scenic, Enchanted Mountain region in Western New York, approximately 75 miles south of Buffalo, St. Bonaventure University offers a close-knit, caring community and small-town living with access to major metropolitan areas. As the oldest Franciscan university in the United States, St. Bonaventure is dedicated to academic excellence and to expanding the liberal arts and professional knowledge, developing a diverse and inclusive community, and preparing leaders dedicated to ethical conduct and compassionate service.  

St. Bonaventure proudly offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and programs, including seven combined-degree programs (granting talented high school seniors provisional acceptance into medical school upon entry to SBU) and ten early assurance programs (allowing students to apply for early acceptance to medical school as SBU sophomores). SBU also offers 22 graduate programs, 15 of which are available fully online, including a new doctoral program in Educational Leadership.

More than 75 percent of the 161 faculty have a Ph.D. or terminal degree. SBU professors are deeply committed and approachable faculty members who dedicate themselves to making meaningful connections among themselves, their courses, and – most importantly – their students. 

St. Bonaventure's six academic schools, each with programs that challenge and inspire, are devoted to preparing students for success and happiness in today's ever-changing world. Faculty are lifelong learners and passionate teachers, and the 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures that students enjoy a close student-teacher connection. St. Bonaventure's schools are accredited by AACSB, NCATE, ACEJMC, CACREP, CCNE and ASBMB, and the University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

The Role of the VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President of Finance and Administration will create a culture of responsible and transparent stewardship of institutional resources. The VPFA will align financial and administrative procedures with the University’s objectives and establish systems to ensure congruence between the University’s expenditures and student and faculty needs. The VPFA oversees the Business Office, Events & Conferences, External Contract Services, and Facilities. 

As a key member of the University’s leadership team, the VPFA is expected to contribute in shaping SBU’s future direction and policies. The VPFA will engage and communicate effectively with all constituencies, including administration, trustees, faculty, staff, and students, and they will play a critical role in the development and construction of the campus. Traditionally, the VPFA has staffed the Finance, Audit and Compliance, Investment, and Facilities committees of the Board.

Direct reports to the VPFA include:

• Controller
• Director of Facilities Operations
• Director of Events & Conferences
• Director of Dining Services (Aramark)
• Director of Bookstore Operations (Follett)
• External Contract Services 

Opportunities and Challenges 

The successful candidate for this position will bring a collegial, problem-solving approach to the challenges and opportunities described here and will use a collaborative management style that emphasizes creativity and innovation, clear and transparent communication, and a commitment to private, residential, liberal arts education. They will also demonstrate a proven commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and will be eager to contribute to the programs and initiatives that support SBU’s efforts to create an inclusive and equitable culture. The VPFA will bring the innovative and strategic vision necessary to remain ahead of the curve for new opportunities and to leverage resources to support the growth and future sustainability of St. Bonaventure University. 

Among other responsibilities, the VPFA will: 

• Collaboratively design and implement both short-term and long-term financial plans, while strategically navigating and managing a complex operating budget and institutional challenges such as deferred maintenance. The VPFA will develop and implement effective and thoughtful financial strategies to optimize resource allocation; provide accurate, reliable, and timely financial reporting and effective controls; prioritize critical infrastructure needs; and ensure sound stewardship and fiscal sustainability, while aligning with the University’s mission and goals. Proficiency in collaborating with diverse stakeholders to build consensus around financial decisions and maintaining transparency throughout the budgeting and planning processes is essential.
• Build, lead, and support a high-performing and dedicated finance team, and bring with them a commitment to fostering professional development and growth opportunities for all team members. The VPFA will be responsible for creating a collaborative and inclusive work environment, mentoring staff, and implementing strategies to enhance team skills and capabilities to achieve the University's financial and strategic objectives. They will also have the opportunity to recruit and onboard new team members in the coming years, ensuring that the department evolves to meet the University's changing financial and academic needs.
• Develop and cultivate strong, collaborative relationships with academic, administrative, and support units across campus, actively seeking opportunities to align financial strategies with the broader, collective goals of the University. The VPFA will work closely with diverse stakeholders from all across the campus community to develop innovative solutions that enhance the University's financial health and contribute to the success and well-being of its students, faculty, and staff. This includes promoting cross-functional teamwork, driving joint initiatives, and ensuring that financial decisions support the University's mission and long-term vision.
• Appreciate and support the significance of Division I athletics and their impact on the University's financial health. The VPFA will work collaboratively to strategically align athletic programs with the institution's broader financial goals where appropriate. The VPFA will collaborate with athletic department leadership to analyze and help ensure the financial sustainability of sports programs, maximize revenue opportunities, and enhance both the University's reputation and student experience through successful athletics engagement.
• Proactively identify opportunities to advance SBU’s financial health using technologies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of financial planning and management. The VPFA will lead initiatives to implement modern financial systems, data analytics tools, and automation processes, ensuring that the University leverages available technology to optimize budgeting, analysis and forecasting, and financial reporting. This includes driving innovation in financial practices and empowering the finance team with the tools and training needed to support the University's strategic objectives.

Desired qualifications and characteristics

The ideal candidate for the role will be a seasoned, visionary financial professional with a commitment to transparent and collaborative leadership. The VPFA will bring demonstrated strength, agility, and acumen in finance, analysis reporting, and budget, as well as facilities, business operations and the ability to communicate complex short- and long-term financial projections with subject matter expertise and clarity. They will be a strategic thinker and a dedicated leader who solve practical operating challenges and can foster transparent and collaborative working relationships among diverse constituents across the University.

Additionally, the VPFA will possess many of the following preferred qualifications and characteristics: 

• Strong record of strategic leadership and thought partnership in financial management, demonstrated through extensive experience creating and implementing complex financial modeling, as well as managing income, cash flow, and debt at a complex, centralized institution or organization;
• Ability to articulate the University's Franciscan mission, traditions, values, and perspectives, and a commitment to a sense of community;
• Proven ability to oversee the preparation and monitoring of financial reports, budgets, and financial projections, both short- and long-term, as well as accounting and financial reporting controls;
• Proven innovative planning and analytical skills with a vision toward long-term sustainability;
• A true team player with experience building and leading strong organizations;
• Exceptional communication and active listening skills, as well as the ability to distill complex financial scenarios in a clear, concise, and understandable manner to all audiences;
• Strong understanding of compliance-related issues, risk analysis and management, and state and federal regulations in higher education;
• Experience engaging with strategic visioning and implementation for campus facilities and operations;
• Refined understanding of endowment and investment needs and challenges;
• Outstanding leadership skills, as well as unquestioned personal and professional ethics and integrity;
• Track record of successfully developing, managing, and mentoring a team, as well as proven skills in building relationships and transparently communicating with faculty, professional staff, students, and Board members;
• Deep respect for — and support of — students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and community members and the shared governance process in higher education;
• High level of cultural competency and a demonstrated commitment to the values of equity, inclusion, and social justice; and
• Agile, executive-level judgment and proven experience working effectively with a chief executive officer, a governing board, and senior University leadership, as well as all internal and external constituencies, to support transparent, accurate, and compliant processes. 

A baccalaureate degree is required and an advanced degree and/or comparable years of relevant experience in the field and at an institution of a similar size and mission, are preferred. CPA and/or MBA degree is also preferred. Experience from other sectors, in addition to higher education, is welcomed. 

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $210,000 - 225,000 with a generous benefits package. 

Application process

Nominations and applications are now being accepted. Requested application materials include a letter of interest and a curriculum vitae or resume. Although applications will be welcomed until a new VPFA is selected, for best consideration, all candidates should submit materials as soon as possible via the following link: https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/21387-st-bonaventure-university-vice-president-for-finance-and-administration 

For more information about St. Bonaventure University, please visit https://www.sbu.edu/. 

St. Bonaventure University is being assisted in this search by Storbeck Search. For additional information, please contact:
Carly Rose DiGiovanni, Managing Associate
Ruth Shoemaker Wood, Managing Director
Mark Halligan, Senior Associate
[email protected]

St. Bonaventure University provides equal opportunity in its admissions, employment, and all educational programs and activities without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected category. Equal employment opportunity applies to all employment relationships. The University is committed to ensuring that all qualified candidates receive full consideration in the recruitment process and that its personnel policies, employment procedures, and practices are consistent with this policy. Pursuant to this policy, equal opportunity is to be provided to all persons in the delivery of educational programs and services.