Vice President for Finance and Administration

Lasell College is seeking a disciplined and experienced financial professional with a proven record of providing creative, innovative, and forward-thinking strategies to be its Vice President for Finance and Administration (VP). As the College’s chief business strategist and financial officer, the VP serves as a vital partner to the President, charged with the achievement of strategies and objectives that enhance the college’s valuation and brand in the long term while maintaining its long and successful focus on its student-centered mission. Required to respond with nimbleness and agility to an ever-changing higher education marketplace, the VP works to test the College’s business model and challenge the status quo when helpful. The VP serves as chief financial officer for the College and Lasell Village. The VP reports directly to the President and works in close collaboration with the other Senior Management Team members in the advancement of college goals.

 

The College has become a leader in the effort to develop lower cost models for independent colleges, experimenting with ways to deliver a high quality private higher education at prices 30-50% lower than current tuition rates. Lasell hosts the Lower Cost Models for Independent Colleges Consortium (LCMC), a collection of 19 colleges founded in 2017. Lasell has initiated its unique “Lasell Works” program, which, for students who opt into the program, features declining tuition rates each year a student returns to the College. Lasell College is also a member of edHealth, a consortium of higher education institutions in the Boston/New England area that is harnessing the power in numbers to successfully offer quality healthcare at lower costs.

 

As Chief Financial Officer of Lasell College and Lasell Village, this position is responsible for ensuring the financial integrity of the College and Lasell Village and advising the President on all matters of fiscal security and accountability, financial planning, and stewardship of College resources.  This position has fiduciary responsibility for the safeguarding of all College assets and managing all funds and securities of the College.  This position provides leadership, direction, strategic planning, and coordination for the Business and Finance Department, Department of Plant Operations and Public Safety, the Department of Information Technology, Student Accounts, and Human Resources (all of which support the academic and administrative departments of the College). This position provides appropriate support to the Business Office of Lasell Village.  Areas of responsibility may change based on the experience and qualifications of the person hired. The VP will oversee a divisional budget of $23 million, an enterprise-wide budget of $91 million, a Lasell Village budget of $19 million, and a staff of 69.

 

As a member of the President’s Senior Management Team, the VP will advise the President to support the development of ongoing, long-term strategic planning, as well as the executive functions of the institution. The VP is responsible for the assessment and development of the College’s financial strategy, business model, and performance measures that balance strict financial discipline with higher return initiatives that drive innovation and growth.

 

The successful candidate will have earned a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and a graduate degree in a relevant field is preferred. The VP will have demonstrated significant and progressively responsible leadership over the financial administrative area, preferably in a college or university setting. Excellent analytical ability is vital. The VP must be able to evaluate the College’s financial needs and select appropriate investments and business strategies that will meet established financial goals. Experience in partnering with an executive team and a high level of written and oral communication skills are essential in order to effectively collaborate with colleagues and interact with clients or organizational management. The candidate should also have effective project management abilities in order to successfully oversee multiple business initiatives. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Managerial Accountant (CMA) certification is preferred.

 

Koya Leadership Partners is assisting Lasell College with this hire. This search is being led by Tom Phillips and Charlotte Harris. Nominations and applications, including a detailed letter of interest, qualifications, and a current curriculum vitae, should be submitted here.

 

The Lasell community appreciates diverse, global perspectives and recognizes that students, faculty, and staff from a range of backgrounds make our campus greater. We are committed to providing our community with the academic resources and professional development needed to foster an inclusive environment.