Executive Vice President For Finance And Administration

Roger Williams University (RWU), a comprehensive University with a unique mix of liberal arts and professional programs, top-notch faculty and staff, the state's only law school, and hubs of innovation in Providence and Bristol, Rhode Island, is conducting a national search for its next Executive VicePresident for Finance and Administration (EVPFA). RWU is committed to strengthening society through engaged scholarship so that students graduate with the ability to think critically and apply the practical skills that today's employers demand.

The University has more than 4,000 students, a budget of more than $165M and an endowment of $95M. Reporting directly to the President and a key member of the Cabinet, the EVPFA is the chief financial and operating officer for the University, providing financial and operational leadership and management oversight of a critical portfolio of administrative and operating units within the University. The EVPFA has a substantial impact on the success of the University by developing strategies for balancing the operating and capital budgets, managing funding issues, helping to maximize University revenue, containing costs, stewarding its endowment funds and planning for the resource needs of technology, finance, facilities, and capital projects. The EVPFA provides guidance and recommendations on both strategy and operations to the President, the senior staff, and the Board of Trustees in aligning, setting, and achieving the mission, goals and objectives of the University. The EVPFA serves as liaison to the finance, buildings and grounds, investment and audit committees of the board.

The Executive VicePresident for Finance and Administration (EVPFA) is the chief financial and operating officer for the University, providing financial and operational leadership and management oversight to most administrative and operating units within the University. The EVPFA has a substantial impact on the success of the University by developing strategies for balancing the operating and capital budgets, assessing the return on investment of various initiatives, managing funding issues, collaborating with the VPs of Institutional Advancement and Enrollment Management among others to maximize revenues, contain costs, invest and maximize endowment funds and plan for the resource needs of technology, finance, facilities, and capital projects. The EVPFA provides guidance and recommendations on both strategy and operations to the President, senior staff and the Board of Trustees in aligning, setting and achieving the mission, goals and objectives of the University. The EVPFA serves as liaison to the finance, buildings and grounds, investment and audit committees of the board.

The EVPFA will be a collaborative and entrepreneurial leader who serves as the steward of the resources of the institution by ensuring the financial health of the University through leadership, direction, and oversight of the University’s resources. They while provide prudent and strategic insight to support areas of investment while also having the ability to say no when appropriate. The EVPFA serves as a principal advisor to the President and is responsible for preparing financial analysis, budgetary reports and long-range projections for the President and Board of Trustees. The EVPFA will be a key member of the President’s Cabinet and will play a major role in the ongoing development of the University’s strategic plan, linking planning and budgeting, building long-range fiscal models, and ensuring that expenses are consistent with the College’s revenue.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

ACHIEVE BALANCED BUDGETS AND MEET ALL THE DEBT COVENANTS

MAINTAIN EFFICIENT, COST-EFFECTIVE OPERATION OF THE COLLEGE                             

ESTABLISH TRUST AND COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WITH THE CAMPUS

ASSIST IN THE CULTIVATION AND SECURING OF NEW SOURCES OF REVENUE

PROMOTE EXISTING AREAS OF INVESTMENT

DEVELOP A BUDGET PROCESS AND FORECASTING MODELS

WORK EFFECTIVELY WITH THE UNIONS

The successful candidate will demonstrate unquestioned integrity, be an outstanding communicator, a strategic thinker and possess strong and effective interpersonal skills that engender trust and cultivate collaboration. They will be respectful of others, will value diversity and inclusion and will have a positive attitude. The new EVPFA will be an exceptional financial and administrative leader with superior analytical and management skills and a willingness to explore new and creative opportunities for ensuring the University’s financial health. The successful candidate will be an excellent manager, be adept at executing on multiple priorities simultaneously, be creative in spirit, and balance stability and risk for the university. The new EVPFA will be a skilled negotiator and possess a keen understanding of the higher education landscape, and the challenges that higher education is currently facing to provide innovative ideas in approaching the future. The new EVPFA will be able to understand and negotiate complex financial transactions and have the ability to achieve goals using influence and negotiation skills. The successful candidate will have the fortitude to make difficult choices when necessary and the ability to convey decisions with clarity.

The new EVPFA will be knowledgeable about the critical areas in the portfolio and will have experience working with boards of trustees. They will have at least ten years of progressively increasing experience in Finance and Administration, managing a large staff with diverse responsibilities. Higher Education experience is highly desirable as well as experience in business, non-profits and/or other sectors. A bachelor’s degree is required, and an MBA or other advanced degree is preferred.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced manager with strong financial skills who is collaborative, transparent and an excellent communicator. They will be an optimist who will work well with the board and with Cabinet colleagues, faculty, and staff. They will be an excellent negotiator who can work collegially with the University's five unions. More information on the search can be found in the profile. 

Applications (including a cover letter and resume) should be uploaded to: http://lapovsky.hiringthing.com . Nominations, confidential inquiries and questions concerning this search may be directed to Lucie Lapovsky at RWU@Lapovsky.com or 917-690-1958.Review of applications will begin immediately, and candidate material received by March 20, 2024, will be assured full consideration.

Lucie Lapovsky

RWU@lapovsky.com

917-690-1958

 Roger Williams University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse workforce. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable state and federal law. For  information on our Non-discrimination policy, visit here.

RWU prohibits all forms of discrimination on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities and is required by Title IX of  the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and its implementing regulations not to discriminate in such a manner.