Lourdes University, rooted in Catholic and Franciscan traditions, provides a values-centered education that enriches lives and advances academic excellence through the integration of the liberal arts and professional studies. Our diverse community combines faith with reason to develop whole persons of integrity, equipped for a life of service to society.

From its establishment in 1958 by the Sisters of St. Francis, Lourdes has provided an excellent Catholic and Franciscan education. Now a campus of 1,200 students, Lourdes offers 44 programs at the Associates, Bachelors, Masters, Doctoral level to students from 34 states and 8 countries.

The primary responsibility of the Vice President for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer (VPFA/CFO)  is to plan, direct, and monitor the business operations and operational activities of the financial functions for Lourdes in the promotion and fulfillment of its mission and vision. This will include providing leadership and oversight to the functions and activities related to Finance & Treasury, Debt Financing, General Accounting, Capital Projects, and Human Resources. The VPFA/CFO will also oversee all Auxiliary Services at Lourdes University including the Franciscan Center, a full-service state of the art theatre and conference center located in the Lourdes University Campus. The VPFA/CFO ensures that Lourdes University is continuously in compliance with regulatory requirements while managing financial risks and providing effective and responsive oversight. This position requires someone who can think strategically and appropriately, evaluate financial risks involved in tactical decisions for the institution and identify opportunities for revenue generation. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving the planning process regarding budget and financial objectives with the ability to provide appropriate and accurate information to the President, Senior Leadership, and other decision-makers.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• This position directly reports to and advises the President in matters of policy in fiscal affairs; leading, monitoring, and coordinating fiscal activities; and coordinating fiscal affairs policies. Establishes finance operational strategies by evaluating trends; establishing critical measurements; determining productivity, quality; designing systems; accumulating resources; resolving problems; and implementing change.

• Develops organization prospects by studying economic trends and academic revenue opportunities in collaboration with the Provost; analyzing organization operations; identifying opportunities for improvement, cost reduction, and systems enhancement; and accumulating capital to appropriately fund operations.

• Monitors financial performance by measuring and analyzing results, initiating corrective actions, and minimizing the impact of variances. Develops forecasts and improvement plans, reports results, and analyzes variances. Communicates financial information used to plan, evaluate and control resources, presenting financial information to both financial and non-financial administrators within the context of institutional strategy and long-term risks and opportunities in the current environment.

• Analyze, interpret, and explain accounting and financial information that aids senior leadership in understanding current operating results and risks as well as the future implications of the results.

• Maximizes return on invested funds by maintaining relationships with investment advisors.

• Reports financial results while directing accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.

• Provides oversight of the preparation of the budget and annual financial reports, 990 & 990T, general accounting, payroll, bond financing issues, purchasing and inventory control along with fixed asset reporting.

• Identifies and manages business risks and insurance requirements.

• Manages relationships with independent auditors.

• Collaborates with Chief Information Officer on technology decisions; Oversees financial systems implementations and upgrades.

• Hires, trains and retains skilled accounting and finance staff.

• Works closely with the Vice President for Enrollment Management projecting new and current enrollment trends at both the graduate and undergraduate levels

Additional Responsibilities:

• Serves as the University’s Finance staff representative to the Board of Trustees and Finance Committee.

• Serves on the President’s Cabinet and Extended President’s Cabinet.

The successful candidate will have a clear and demonstrated record of outstanding leadership, strategic creativity, organizational efficiency, financial acumen, and ethical financial management; a skilled financial background that includes significant experience in adeptly managing a large and complex budget whose funding originates from multiple sources; professional skill and experience demonstrating in-depth knowledge of financial and business operations; a clear and convincing record demonstrating the candidate’s commitment to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion within a multicultural environment; and excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills. It will be important to have a demeanor and personality that will fit in the organization’s culture. The successful candidate will have demonstrated a strategic vision and broad business background with the ability to communicate to all levels of the organization.

Lourdes University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation or any other legally protected category in its programs and activities. Under-represented groups are encouraged to apply

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field is required; MBA, CPA or CMA is highly preferred.  

•      10 Years Finance/Accounting experience required

• Considerable experience in fiscal management of a large organization; at least 5 years of experience in a management role. Experience in higher education highly preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to do modeling and projections; strong knowledge of contemporary management techniques.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both oral and written form, with all sectors of the campus community.

• Ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, faculty, staff, Board of Trustees, local and state governmental agencies, state legislators, and civic organizations.

• Maintains the highest integrity, creativity, energy and decisiveness; the capacity to engage and inspire others; the ability to work in close partnership with the President and other senior leaders.

• Proven success identifying revenue generating auxiliary opportunities for nonprofit organizations