Log In
Sign Up
Job Summary
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) actively seeks an Assistant Vice President for Financial
Strategy & Planning to join its Finance & Administration division. Through a wide variety of financial, physical, and technological
services, the Finance and Administration division provides the RISD community with timely and innovative operational solutions and support.
This division is also responsible for developing and managing all aspects of the RISD annual operating and capital budget and for long-term
financial planning.
In partnership with the Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration, the Assistant Vice President for
Financial Strategy & Planning is responsible for directing the development and administration of the institution’s financial
strategy and planning models and processes, including policy development, systems, policies, forecasts, analysis, and budgets. The person in
this position develops tools for and provides analysis of short and long-term financial planning to promote the financial well-being of the
School. This position engages in broad collaboration and communication with all parties that are engaged in such planning, including
academic and administrative units. It also promotes a culture of inclusion and respect providing advice and counsel on financial planning
and budgeting matters to various audiences with diverse expertise and backgrounds. The AVP for Financial Strategy & Planning serves as
an advisor to unit managers in the preparation and monitoring of the unit’s financial standing and, in collaboration with unit
managers, is responsible for the preparation and monitoring of annual operating and capital budgets; prepares, monitors, assesses and
communicates operating and capital budget matters to RISD constituencies. This position provides integration and coordination for all of
RISD’s budget planning initiatives, linking past financial and current budget results to long-range budget forecasts and explaining
implications of assumptions. It also recommends and implements approved policies, procedures, tools, models, and systems to capture and
drive efficiencies, align with the strategic plan, and posture RISD to quickly and nimbly coordinate, plan, and report on the financial
activities of the College. The AVP for Financial Strategy & Planning manages, leads, and develops budget and financial planning staff to
maximize and reach optimal individual and institutional goals. Supports the SVP, Finance & Administration and the Board of
Trustee’s Financial and Audit Committees by providing executive-level analysis, assessments, and financial reports.
We seek
applications from equity-minded candidates who are skilled with the ability to investigate, interpret, and compile personal and confidential
data and present information in a clear and cohesive manner. The successful candidate will thrive in a campus environment that is committed
to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and
opportunities.
Essential Functions
- Develop and maintain procedures for financial strategic
planning and execution. - Develop and use templates for: multi-year financial analyses, “business plans” to support
proposed initiatives for revenue enhancements, and reports to key RISD constituencies. - Develop creative strategies and make
recommendations for revenue enhancements, cost reductions and operating efficiencies to balance the budget. Create and maintain budget
related models, schedules, reports, forecasts and analysis of divisions and departments as required. Oversee and approve budget transfer
entries. Detect and communicate problem areas and assist in resolving problems. Working in concert with the Controller, jointly review chart
of accounts, programs, new departments, and or other organizational units. - Oversee, prepare, manage, and monitor the
College’s annual budget and budgeting process including but not limited to payroll, operating, and capital expenditures on an
all-funds basis. - Provide leadership and direction to budget and financial planning staff. Hire, train and develop, supervise, and
evaluate staff to attain short-and long-term objectives. - Proactively outreach to RISD operating units to identify, guide, and
present analysis of proposed and existing operations. - Develop and provide financial management and budget training programs to the
RISD Community. - Working closely with the SVP and other senior management, develop and maintain a multi- year financial model
on an all-funds basis along with model assumptions. - Working closely with the SVP and VP for Facilities and CIO, develop and
maintain a multi- year capital and technology investment financial plan with sources and uses of funds. - Maintain strong working
relationship with the divisional budget and financial managers to understand financial planning needs and priorities. - Develop and
recommend budgetary policies and practices and define levels of financial authority and responsibility that will improve service delivery,
increase operational efficiency and effectiveness, and ensure that budget best practices are in place. - Working closely with the
SVP and other senior management, develop, analyze, present, and contribute to determining priorities for use of operating, capital, cash,
and endowment resources. - Develop, analyze, present and contribute to determining priorities for use of operating, capital, cash
and endowment resources based on input and feedback from SVP Finance & Administration and senior leadership. - Evaluate,
recommend, and implement approved budget systems, innovative technology tools, and updates, as appropriate, in order to support planning,
reporting, and analysis and to maximize efficiency and accuracy. Proactively liaise with and serve as a key point of contact for other
areas, such as IT, Controller, HR, etc. to optimize and leverage cross-functional system integrations, data relationships, and reporting.
Identify informational needs and develop complex budget models, reports, tools and/or charts to facilitate and support long-range planning
and decision-making. - Incorporate salary and open position information into the budget based on input and feedback from Human
Resources. Develop, refine and manage position control for budgeting purposes. Reconcile faculty and staff headcount with Human Resource and
Academic Affairs reports and generate management reports on position control. - Continue to support IT in the implementation of
financial and student systems enhancements to WorkDay. - Support implementation of strategic planning initiatives through proper
resource allocation. Partner with the VP of Campus Services, VP Enrollment Management & Student Affairs, and Academic Affairs to
integrate institutional planning activities including strategic enrollment, facilities, and budget planning. - Support the
preparation and presentation of materials for the Budget Priorities Committee. - Collect, evaluate, and present financial
information and/or materials to the Finance Committee and/or Board of Trustees. Provide accurate, thorough and timely analyses as required
for senior management and the President. - Assist in annual audit by providing timely reports and analysis and responding to auditor
inquiries. - Maintain the Budget Office website providing current information to the community on the annual budget, budget to actual
results, capital budget, multi year planning, budget calendar and process and other helpful information.
Additional Functions:
- Serve on various committees internal to RISD to provide financial information to
inform important strategic decisions. - Serve on a selective basis as the RISD representative on groups and committees requiring RISD
representation. - Perform related duties as required by the SVP.
Knowledge/Skills/Experience
- Master’s degree in business management, accounting or related
field or equivalent combination of education and experience. - Seven years of financial planning, budget management or
accounting related experience, preferably in a higher education or non-profit environment. - Demonstrated knowledge of
financial planning and modeling that link resource allocation to performance and strategic planning. - Demonstrated knowledge
of the WorkDay enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. - Excellent written and oral communication and presentation
skills. - Demonstrated success in planning, process re-engineering, and utilizing systems and technologies to increase
efficiencies and effectiveness. - Ability to partner with senior managers to allocate resources in support of mission and
objectives. - Ability to analyze complex information and provide summaries and recommendations to RISD budget managers and
administrators. - Prior management experience and the ability to lead and develop staff in the delivery and implementation of budget
and financial plans, which support strategic initiatives. - Ability to communicate with, relate to and interact with diverse
populations, to help foster a community environment, and to collaborate and engage with others who are different from themselves in
meaningful ways through interactions characterized by reciprocity, mutual understanding and respect.
Union: None
Work Schedule: 35 hours/week; 12 months/year
Employment Status: Full-Time; Exempt
Documents Needed to Apply: Resume
(required), Cover Letter (required)
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required
documents.
The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.
