Chief Financial Officer

Illinois Institute of Technology ("Illinois Tech") invites applications and nominations for the position of Vice President for Finance, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer (VPF). The VPF provides leadership of fiscal management and business services at Illinois Tech in support of its mission, vision, tenets, and strategic directions and moves forward a vision for lifelong learning of its graduates.

As Chicago’s top-tier tech university and one of the 22 institutions that comprise the Association of Independent Technological Universities, Illinois Tech enrolls more than 3,100 top undergraduate students and approximately 3,400 talented graduate and professional students in seven colleges that are positioned in line with the global economy and the needs of the technology sector. The campus community has a distinctively global feel with just over one-third of students hailing from beyond the United States. Students are motivated, driven, and hardworking, and they are supported by a dedicated faculty of more than 400 scholars who are deeply committed to the teaching mission. Illinois Tech’s research expenditures are $56 million, and each year faculty are awarded the highest honors in their fields.

As the chief financial officer, treasurer and strategist, the VPF reports to President Echambadi, works closely with the provost, and provides advice and counsel on all administrative, business, and financial matters affecting Illinois Tech. The vice president will value shared governance and be an advocate for best practices that promote inclusive decision-making and mutual respect, creating an environment of trust, belonging, and a sense of community across Illinois Tech.

The VPF will lead a talented team of accounting, budgeting and financial staff. The VPF is accountable for the Institute's fiscal soundness, workplace effectiveness, and mission-centric services, as well as transparent and candid communications to the campus community. The VPF embraces Illinois Tech's mission to contribute to solving important problems facing humanity. It will be important to fulfill this mission while prioritizing, including with funding, diversity, equity, inclusion, and access and environmental sustainability values and goals. Specific areas of oversight include, but are not limited to, the following services: development of annual budgets, accounting and fiscal management, investment of institute funds, external annual financial audits and compliance, business practices and contracts, purchasing, and other support services. The VPF establishes collaborative, authentic, and respectful working relationships with Illinois Tech's multi-constituent leadership. This includes working closely with key leaders to align the University’s strategic, capital, and financial planning and ensure highly coordinated execution.

The VPF spearheads the development and oversight of both short- and long-range plans for Illinois Tech's finance and business services. The vice president works closely with the leadership team to assist in writing, monitoring, and executing Illinois Tech's general fund and other programmatic budgets. The vice president must also be prepared to perform other business-related responsibilities as assigned by the president and/or board of trustees. Careful adherence to federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding collegiate business, budgetary and financial functions will be imperative.

Illinois Tech seeks a highly motivated leader with vision and management capabilities. The ideal candidate possesses a proven record as a strategist with direct oversight experience of a wide range of functions in a similarly complex organization. The VPF sets high expectations for performance and accountability in a spirit of partnership and fiscal responsibility and is responsible for maintaining relationships with sophisticated financial institutions. Superb communication skills are essential, as are exceptional change management skills and the ability to lead, support, and strengthen diverse teams. The Institute is open to considering a semi-remote work finance team culture. Regardless of the frequency of the remote schedule, the Institute seeks a leader who is able to navigate the complexities of leading through video meetings, chat systems and modern work environment systems of collaboration and is able to ensure these extra tools become advantages in a semi-remote work culture when needed.

Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or résumé and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received as soon as possible, submitted through WittKieffer’s candidate portal.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to: Kim Brettschneider, Suzanne Teer and Randi Miller at IllinoisTechCFO@wittkieffer.com.

Illinois Institute of Technology is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA employer committed to enhancing equity, inclusion and diversity within its community. It actively seeks applications from all individuals regardless of race, color, sex, marital status, religion, creed, national origin, disability, age, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity and expression. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment.