Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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Job description

La Plata, MD

Located 45 minutes from the Nation’s Capital, nestled in a history-rich community of southern Maryland, The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) has been twice named in the top 150 community colleges by the Aspen Institute with academic programs in over 100 disciplines. CSM is among America’s top 100 producers of Minority associate degrees in twenty categories, according to Diverse Issues in Higher Education. CSM offers excellent health insurance benefits; State Retirement Pension plan; wellness programs; Code Green early closure Fridays in the summer; college closure for spring break and several major holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year; and for several days in March for Spring Break. We are an innovative institution committed to student success and well known for our flexibility to meet student and community needs.

The Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (VP/CFO) serves as the principal financial strategist for the College of Southern Maryland, overseeing all financial operations to ensure fiscal integrity, sustainability, and alignment with the college’s mission. As a key member of the president’s cabinet and executive leadership team, the VP/CFO collaborates with various stakeholders to support the institution’s educational goals and strategic initiatives. The VP/CFO oversees the day-to-day operations related to fiscal planning and management, grants, procurement, and capital budgets. The Vice President leads and coordinates the annual tri-county budget process, and supports the President on fiscal policy, planning, and strategy. The VP/CFO provides direct supervision to the Executive Director of Budget, Executive Director of Financial Services, Executive Director of Procurement, Director of Mediation Center, and an Executive Assistant.

Reports to: President

This search is being facilitated by ACCT Searches. Candidates are asked to apply directly through the company website at acctsearches.org.

Examples of Duties:

30% Operational Oversight

  • Supervises departments including financial services, budget, grants and procurement to ensure efficient operations.
  • Collaborates with IT leadership to ensure technological resources effectively support business and administrative functions to increase efficiency and productivity and mitigate risk.
  • Collaborates with HR leadership on position management and compensation analysis.
  • Creates and implements ways in which the college can operate more efficiently through outsourcing, automation, and more effective use of available resources.
  • Guides long-range financial planning and preparation of five-year financial projections for the operating budgets for all campuses.
  • Oversees the preparation and coordination of annual operating budgets for all campuses.
  • Ensures that a review and monitoring process is in place for the operating budgets for all campuses.
  • Communicates relevant financial information to administration and advises of any implications.
  • Provides relevant financial information to the college’s strategic planning process. Presents annual operating budgets to various audiences.
  • Responsible for monitoring, reporting, and closeout of capital budgets for all campuses in collaboration with the vice president for operations and planning.
  • Oversees the establishment and maintenance of financial processes, procedures, and policies.
  • Oversees the preparation of financial analysis and regular reports in support of the president and vice president.

20% Compliance and Risk Management

  • Develop and enforce financial policies and procedures that ensure compliance with applicable laws and promote operational efficiency.
  • Identify and mitigate financial risks, ensuring the college’s assets are protected.
  • Oversee the negotiation and administration of contracts to ensure favorable terms and compliance with institutional policies.
  • 15% Stakeholder Engagement
  • Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Trustees on financial matters, providing regular updates and analyses.
  • Represent the college in financial discussions with external partners, including government agencies and community organizations.
  • Work closely with academic and administrative leaders to support program development and institutional initiatives.
  • Serves as liaison with financial representatives from county and state government.
  • Oversees the responsibility for the fiscal matters of the College of Southern Maryland Foundation, Inc. and for providing appropriate reports to the Foundation Board.
  • Regularly informs the administration and Board of Trustees of the financial health of the college.
  • Represents the college to the appropriate professional organizations (e.g., Maryland Association of Community College Business Officers).
  • Represents the division in matters of college-wide interest.

Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or related field
  • Minimum of seven years of progressive financial management experience, with at least three years in a senior leadership role
  • Technological Proficiency: Familiarity with financial management software and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems
  • Proven ability to lead diverse teams, manage multiple departments, and foster a collaborative work environment
  • Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and the ability to align financial strategies with institutional goals

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred
  • This position requires financial disclosure.

Supplemental Information:

Physical Demands
The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Knowledge of various computer programs, with particular emphasis on spreadsheets
  • Financial Acumen: In-depth knowledge of accounting principles, financial analysis, budgeting, and financial reporting, preferably in a higher education context
  • Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex financial information to various audiences
  • Working knowledge of risk management practices Knowledge of facilities management and capital projects funding
  • Ability to maintain insurability for vehicle use under the college’s liability insurance policy
  • Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations, and reporting requirements related to division programs, financial administration, grants, and contracts
  • Knowledge of student judicial procedures
  • Knowledge of budget, auditing, accounting, and internal control procedures, including generally accepted practices and the AICPA Industry Audit Guide for Colleges and Universities
  • Knowledge of college administrative policies and procedures

We especially seek individuals who value & support workforce diversity in all its aspects. MD Relay Service for the deaf is 1-800-735-2258. Visit our web site at www.csmd.edu under CSM Employment to apply for all CSM vacancies.

How to apply

The following items are required to be submitted with the college employment application:

1. COVER LETTER should be limited to no more than four typed pages, detailing how your education experiences/background align with this position profile.

2. RESUME should be limited to six typed pages. Important Note: All attachments must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format, and file names must begin with the applicant’s initials (example: ABCcover, ABCres, ABCref). The subject line in the email should reference the position for which the candidate is applying. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made.

3. APPLICATION DEADLINE: This position is open until filled. Semifinalist candidates will interview with the search advisory committee, while finalist candidates will participate in onsite interviews.

4. REFERENCES will be requested only of finalists to include two supervisors. The references must include names, titles, business and personal phone numbers, and email addresses. References will not be contacted without prior notification to the applicant.

5. TRANSCRIPTS will be required of all finalists. The successful candidate must provide official transcripts to the College of Southern Maryland as a condition of hire.