It’s an exciting time to be part of Vermont State University. While new in name and form, Vermont State builds upon the rich histories of our three institutions. At Vermont State University, we are better together.
Provide executive leadership for the division of Business and Operations. The division provides the highest quality service and support to the university, its mission, strategic goals, faculty, staff, students, external stakeholders, and community. Key areas of functional responsibility include finance, budgeting, compliance, advancement, facilities, bookstore and dining services, mailroom, and sponsored programs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
At the direction of the President:
- Serve as the university’s chief business officer and a member of the President’s cabinet.
- Advise the President on university business issues and the fiscal impact of policy options.
- Provide financial analysis, long-range financial projections, and long-term planning to assist the administration in making sound fiscal decisions.
- Oversee and direct the preparation, management, and monitoring of the university’s operating and capital budgets.
- Oversee and direct campus operations including facilities and grounds, camps and conferences, bookstore and dining services, mailroom, and campus facilities safety.
- Oversee institutional advancement activities and alumni and donor relations.
- Advance the university’s mission through sponsored programs, grants, contracts, and other sources of external funding.
- Provide institutional compliance and oversight regarding all regulatory affairs.
- Serve on institutional committees.
- Recognizing the university is part of a larger system, work with the System CFOO to allocate resources for the good of the system and institution.
- Other related duties as assigned.
At the direction of the System Chief Financial and Operating Officer:
- Manage the university’s budget in compliance with System policies and procedures and accordance with stated timelines.
- Serve as a member of the Business Affairs Council providing regular and frequent recommendations for policy and procedure improvement.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
This position reports dually to the President of Vermont State University and the System Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO). As a key member of the President’s executive leadership team, the VP of Business Operations receives direction from the President for all local, operational, and strategic matters.
The VP of Business Operations receives direction from the System CFOO for the purposes of system-wide budgeting and fiduciary matters.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Manages, directly or indirectly, the institutional leaders responsible for finance, compliance, campus operations, advancement, sponsored programs, and third-party organizations. Hires new employees, schedules employee work hours and grants time-off, evaluates employee performance, develops, coaches and counsels employees, takes disciplinary actions, and provides recommendations on handling employee grievances and complaints.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, or a related field.
- Five (5) or more years of related work experience in higher education administration and management or a related field.
- Five (5) or more years of complex budget management.
- Record of accomplishment providing leadership in an institution of higher education or other similarly complex organization.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in finance, accounting, business, or a related field.
- Demonstrated success in leading, planning, implementing, and adapting to change.
- Fluent in understanding and effective use of information technology.
- Skilled in process improvement.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of trends, issues, and accepted practices relevant to the position.
- Knowledge of complex regulatory statutes related to government grants, contracts, and organizations.
- Proven experience and on-going commitment to developing own professional knowledge and the professional knowledge of team members regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice and how it informs practices within functional areas.
- Budget planning, management, and implementation.
- Financial planning and analysis.
- Strategic planning.
Skills:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Strong organizational and conceptual skills.
- Excellent strategic planning skills.
- Successful record of interacting with professionals across disciplines.
- Detail-oriented and customer service and compliance-focused.
- Proven record of accountability and follow-through.
Abilities:
- Ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community.
- Ability to think and act creatively within the confines of regulatory rules and regulations.
- Demonstrated ability to support a diverse community and promote diverse perspectives, cultures and an inclusive environment.
- Proven experience and on-going commitment in leading teams using data-informed decision making to inform resource allocation, processes, and procedures and policy.
VTSU values individual differences that can be engaged in the service of learning. Diverse experiences from people of varied backgrounds inform and enrich our community. VTSU strongly encourages applications from historically marginalized and underrepresented populations. VTSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer, in compliance with ADA requirements, and will make reasonable accommodations for the known disability of an otherwise qualified applicant. Please contact Sarah Potter for assistance with accommodations at Sarah.Potter@vsc.edu.
On January 15th, 2021, the Board of Trustees established a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee as part of meeting its strategic priority and as a commitment to values of diversity, equity and inclusion in the governance and operations within the Vermont State College system. This committee was further created to identify ways to improve equitable access to VSCS’ educational programs and recruitment for employment for those who have been marginalized or underrepresented historically.
Adoption of VSCS Diversity Statement
On May 16th, 2022, the VSCS Board of Trustees adopted a system-wide Diversity Statement. This statement was developed through feedback from faculty, staff and students across the system. This process provided a valuable opportunity to engage in conversations and opened the doors for further conversations and actions moving forward. It is acknowledged this the statement is foundational to do the work around DEISJ, but is not enough standing alone.
Support of Anti-Racism Pledge
This pledge was officially adopted by the VSCS Board of Trustees on October 25th, 2021. It was drafted over the course of a year by student representatives from each VSC institution in collaboration with administrators, faculty, and community leaders. This body of work rose in response to student experiences of discrimination on Vermont campuses and broader national racial inequities.
Adoption of NERCHE Self-Assessment Rubric
The Board of Trustees voted on October 25th, 2021 to approve and adopt the definitions of “diversity,” “equity,” and “inclusion” used by the New England Resource Center for Higher Education (NERCHE) in its Self-Assessment Rubric for the Institutionalization of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Higher Education, with one amendment—the inclusion of “gender identity” in the definition of “diversity”