Position Description

Vice President of Finance

STATUS: Full Time
DIVISION: Finance
REPORTS TO: President
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
SUPERVISES: Director of Business Services

Position Summary

The Vice President of Finance reports directly to the President and serves as a key member of the College’s leadership team to provide collaborative financial management leadership for the College, ensures the short and long-term fiscal health of the College, oversees the business practices of the College, and ensures the budget supports the strategic and operational plans. The Vice President of Finance acts as an agent of change in leading, and assisting with the development of and effectively managing the financial systems of the institution, including financial, accounting, budget management, cost modelling, regulatory and legal to ensure sustainability of the College.  This position works with other senior leaders in supporting them toward accomplishing objectives for organizational success.   The Vice President of Finance also serves on the 403(b) Oversight Committee and the Argonaut Condominium Association Board

Position Accountabilities and Essential Functions

Position Accountabilities and Essential Functions 

  • Advise the President and other members of the leadership team on financial planning, budgeting, cash flows, capital investment priorities and policy matters;
  • Oversee and prepare the annual operating budget ensuring that the process is inclusive and comprehensive and is informed by the institution’s strategic plan;
  • Serve as supervisor of the Director of Business Services who provides: 
    • Oversight to Business Services Department, including general ledger, accounts receivable, purchasing, accounts payable, payroll and the cashier function; and
    • Bookstore and Imaging Center operations; 

 

  • Oversee the production of financial, expense, and budgeting reports, including interim and year-end financial statements for the institution and the Argonaut Condominium Association;  
  • Monitor the financial performance of the various operating units of CCS and the Argonaut Condominium Association;
  • Oversee and manage the assets of the College, and maintain a system of internal controls, to maximize utilization of, and safeguard, the financial assets of the College and the Argonaut Condominium Association.
  • Advise President of areas for restructuring to gain economies of operation;  lead adjustments of existing systems of policies, internal controls, and standard operating procedures as appropriate.
  • Prepare analyses and develop metrics to benchmark the College’s financial performance;
  • Prepare business models for academic departments illustrating income generation and direct and indirect costs with an equitable lens.
  • Effectively study past trends and proactively work with the President to identify, design and implement change to the College’s  business model to remain financially stable and to achieve sustainability.
  • Maintain and initiate external connections and collaborations to help with continuing the institution’s viability.
  • Arrange for and oversee the preparation of the annual audit by external auditors for the consolidated financial statements of the College, the financial statements of the Argonaut Condominium Association and the Federal Awards procedures; 
  • Perform treasury operations including cash management, accounts payable and disbursements for the College and issuance of bonds if necessary;
  • Ensure compliance with bond and any other debt covenants and reporting requirements; meet annually with the bond rating agency to ensure an appropriate bond rating; 
  • Oversee endowment investments as prescribed by the Investment Committee of the Board. 
  • Manage the process and completion of various required tax and other regulatory filings;
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements;
  • Serve as the institution’s Resident Agent; review and sign contracts in accordance with the policy set by the Board of Trustees;
  • Oversee the maintenance of the 403(b) records and systems; oversee 403b contributions by the College as well as individual contributions are being made accurately and timely; oversee required 403(b) testing to verify the College is in compliance; coordinating with the Director of Human Resources.
  • Serve as the main financial liaison to the Board of Trustees and the appropriate Finance and Audit, and Investment committees; effectively communicate and present critical financial matters as directed to do so by the President;
  • Collaborate with the senior leadership team and campus constituents in developing and implementing the institutional strategic plan; develop financial models that guide decision-making in designing the strategic plan and monitoring progress in implementation of the plan.
  • Develop and support strong external relationships with bankers, investment advisors, auditors, bond consultants and other providers of services to the College.
  • Monitor best practices and trends in College finances and nonprofit corporate services and implement appropriate changes as indicated;
  • Maintain open lines of communication and gain the trust of the administration, staff, and faculty by keeping the President informed of all critical issues and effectively communicate  with the campus community by delivering transparent financial information. .
  • Ensure all managed functional areas are customer-focused in their interactions with students, faculty, staff, and others; and
  • Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications and Experience

Required Qualifications and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree is required; CPA or Master’s degree is required in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or related field;
  • Ten or more years of experience in financial management and accounting, preferably in an educational environment or not-for-profit organization;
  • Competent in the use of an integrated computerized accounting system; create effective analyses and reports Colleague or similar system preferred; proficiency in Microsoft Excel required;
  • Ability to meet deadlines, handle multiple tasks and have strong analytical skills;
  • Ability to work in a diverse environment
  • Analytical ability to develop and implement improvements or recommendations;

Work Environment

This job operates in-person and virtually in a professional office on a college campus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is primarily working on a computer, attending events, or participating in meetings. Most days require working on a computer, making phone calls.  Occasionally this position will require business travel to local, national, and international locations to attend conferences or participate in meetings.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to maintain a stationary position, use a computer and other office equipment, and communicate effectively in person, by phone, and virtually.  Frequent interaction with others, including staff, faculty, students and third parties is required.  The employee may occasionally be required to move files or other objects weighing up to 25 pounds, including from low and high places.  The ability to move around within the office and between buildings on campus, attend off-site meetings and events, and travel between Ford Campus site to Taubman Center site are required.  CCS will make reasonable accommodations that will allow individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are Core Institutional Values and are interlaced into College for Creative Studies’ (CCS) Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan. 

CCS represents a diverse community composed of individuals with many perspectives, personal experiences, values, identities, and worldviews that recognize differences of culture and circumstance. As a leading college of art and design, we recognize the value this diversity brings to making, designing, creating, and expanding spaces for social discourse and we are committed to advancing efforts that enrich our campus and shape society.

We are especially interested in candidates who have demonstrated commitment to excellence by providing leadership in teaching, scholarship, research or service toward building an equitable and diverse scholarly environment.  Women, minorities, people with disabilities, veterans, intersectional individuals and all underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

The College for Creative Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, marital or veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Application Procedure/Additional Information

Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. The search will close when a suitable candidate is hired. Interested candidates should submit the following in PDF format:  Resume and a letter of application should be submitted to:  hr@collegeforcreativestudies.edu

         CCS website:     http://www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/

The College for Creative Studies, a leading college of art and design, represents a community composed of individuals with many perspectives, personal experiences, values, identities and worldviews and we value the diversity this brings to our organization.  The College for Creative Studies subscribes to the principle of equal opportunity in its employment, admissions, and educational practices and strives to provide an environment and workplace free from unlawful harassment or discrimination.  Discrimination, including harassment, because of age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law is strictly prohibited.  Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are part of our Core Institutional Values and we encourage applications from all individuals.

About CCS

The College for Creative Studies (CCS) is a nonprofit, private college authorized by the Michigan Education Department to grant Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. CCS, located in midtown Detroit, strives to provide students with the tools needed for successful careers in the dynamic and growing creative industries. CCS fosters students’ resolve to pursue excellence, act ethically, engage their responsibilities as citizens, and learn throughout their lives. With world-class faculty and unsurpassed facilities, students learn to be visual communicators who actively use art and design toward the betterment of society. The College is a major supplier of talent to numerous industries, such as transportation, film and animation, advertising and communications, consumer electronics, athletic apparel, and many more. Its graduates are exhibiting artists and teachers, design problem solvers and innovators, as well as creative leaders in business.

Founded in 1906 as the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts, CCS plays a key role in Detroit’s cultural and educational communities. A private, fully accredited college, CCS enrolls more than 1,400 students, pursuing Master of Fine Arts degrees in Color and Materials Design, Interaction Design, Systems Design Thinking, and Transportation Design and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Advertising Design, Art Education, Communication Design, Crafts, Entertainment Arts, Fashion Accessories Design, Fine Arts, Illustration, Interior Design, Photography, Product Design, and Transportation Design. The College also offers free art education for more than 4,000 Detroit youth annually through its Community Arts Partnerships program. In addition, the College’s University Prep Art & Design is a public charter middle and high school enrolling more than 800 students in a high-performance academic curriculum with a special focus on art and design.

The College for Creative Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment  decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual  orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

posted on January 27, 2022 at 9:30 am