Meadville Lombard Theological School Hiring for Vice President for Finance and Administration at Chicago, IL Full Time

Meadville Lombard Theological School is a graduate school affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association having roots dating back
to 1844. The school’s degree programs focus on ministerial and religious leadership provided through an innovative low residence
program of contextual based learning. Additional information about the school can be found at http://www.meadville.edu. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The
Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA) is the chief financial and administrative officer of Meadville Lombard Theological
School and is responsible for all financial, accounting, facilities, human resources, information technology and other administrative
functions in accordance with the mission, policies and By-Laws of the school as established by the Board of Trustees, and in accordance with
sound practices for non-profit academic institutions and applicable laws and regulations.

Reporting to the President, the VPFA is a
key member of the President’s Leadership Team and is responsible for overseeing the school’s financial planning and budgeting
and renders financial reports and analysis to the President and Board of Trustees on a regular basis to facilitate planning and to monitor
and inform on progress. As a permanent member of the Leadership Team (which carries out tactical and strategic planning and operational
oversight and direction), the VPFA provides financial and operational leadership to the school’s strategic planning process and
day-to-day operations and decision making. With the Board of Trustees’ Finance and Administration Team, the VPFA works closely with
the outsourced Chief Investment Officer hired to manage the school’s endowment. The VPFA manages the school’s business
relationships with external contractors and vendors and is the primary senior administrative liaison to the Board’s Finance and
Administration Team. The Vice President also serves as the Human Resources officer of the school. 

Positions reporting directly
to the VPFA are the Controller and IT Manager. 

RESPONSIBILITIES  

1. Coordinates the
   preparation of each fiscal year’s operating and capital budgets for the review of the President and the Finance and Administration
   Team of the Board of Trustees, and presentation to the Board for its approval. Provides detailed analysis and timely reporting of trends and
   results to support planning and monitoring of progress with strategic initiatives and programs.
2. Administers operating, capital and
   special gifts spending relative to the approved budget. Administers all financial books and records with appropriate accounting control
   systems and prepares annual financial statements in accordance with “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” to be reviewed by
   the Finance and Administration Team, for audit by an independent firm of certified public accountants and presentation to the Board of
   Trustees for approval. Ensures compliance with policies, external mandates, State and Federal Laws and maintains strong internal oversight
   and controls.
3. Manages the school’s financial assets and liabilities, and with respect to the Endowment Fund, does so in
   accordance with the “Investment Policy and Guidelines” approved by the Board of Trustees. This includes working closely with the
   Finance and Administration Team and with the investment consulting firm (acting as Chief Investment Officer) engaged to aid in the
   establishment of the Endowment Fund objectives and the preparation of the Endowment Fund investment plan.
4. Provides strategic
   direction and support to managers in the planning and implementation of human resources at the school, including policy recommendation and
   implementation, cultivating, and promoting a positive, collaborative, diverse work environment, overseeing new employee orientation
   programs, creating initiatives that attract, support, and retain a satisfied, high performing, multi-cultural staff in a culture of
   continual learning and improvement. Facilitates employee searches and appointments, development, staff evaluations, and other staffing
   matters; serves as the school’s Equal Employment Opportunity Officer. 
5. Oversees the management of the school’s
   facilities, including lease management, planning for repairs and maintenance, strategic space planning, facility use, serving as liaison to
   property management-owner, supervision, equipment purchases and replacement, and provides regular reporting to the President and
   Administration and Finance Team.
6. Actively participates in the administration of financial aid and scholarship programs. 
7. Supervises arrangements with vendors, contractors, service providers, auditors, attorneys, and other consultants, in order to maximize
   the effectiveness and value of their services.
8. Projects and recommends the need for personnel and organizational structure changes
   in accordance with the size and evolving needs of the school. 
9. Seeks opportunities for continuous improvement and operational
   efficiency and documents business and other process updates as they evolve over time. Ensures school policies, procedures and
   documents/forms are current and readily available to those based on need. 
10. Serves as Security Officer for the
    school. 
11. Coordinates task forces, teams, and other initiatives to move the work of the school forward (e.g., Facilities,
    Marketing and Communications, Strategic Planning, Document Management).
12. Other duties and projects as regularly assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• The ideal candidate will be an experienced financial executive with a record of
  managing diverse operations, preferably in higher education. Knowledge of human resources and experience assessing and streamlining
  operations and developing, documenting, communicating, and reinforcing operational processes and decisions is required. Demonstrated
  experience with detailed analysis and reporting is essential. 
• A candidate with an advanced degree in finance, accounting or
  business administration, and a minimum of 5 to 7 years of progressively responsible related experience is preferred. Strong strategic
  planning abilities and executive problem-solving skills are required, as are excellent interpersonal and communications skills. The
  candidate will have a collaborative style and be able to engage effectively and positively with faculty, staff, and students.
• The
  successful candidate will have an appreciation for the school’s mission and vision and have a commitment to the values that are
  compatible with Meadville Lombard Theological School.

HOW TO APPLY

Meadville Lombard Theological
School offers a competitive salary and strong benefits package including spouse/partner/family insurance options. Meadville Lombard is an
Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, persons of color, and persons with disabilities to apply. The school is committed to
enriching its educational experience through the diversity of its faculty, administration, and staff.

Interested applicants should
submit a cover letter, resume, and diversity statement, to Lisa Kopecky, Interim Vice President of Finance and Administration, at [email protected]. The diversity statement may include your
interpretation of diversity, inclusion, gender equity and must include specific examples of how your educational and/or professional
experiences, background/philosophy has prepared you for this role – maximum of 500 words).

Open until filled; apply by May 1,
2023, for best consideration.