Vice President for Administration and Finance

Grand View University

Vice President for Administration and Finance

Grand View University, in Des Moines, Iowa announces a national search for a Vice President for Administration and Finance (VPAF). The University invites nominations and applications for this opportunity to exercise bold, entrepreneurial and engaged leadership in a vibrant, affordable and accessible institution. President Kent Henning, a visionary and empowering educational leader, has led a transformation at GVU through high quality programs, effective planning, dynamic financial strategies and exciting facility renewal and expansion.

Using its considerable financial expertise, Grand View developed GV COMPLETE, a completely transparent and straightforward approach to college affordability and financing that has catalyzed the institution into a disruptive higher education force. Grand View is indeed well positioned to respond to the public’s concerns about the value of a university education.

Grand View, founded in 1896 by members of the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is a private, not-for-profit university offering bachelor's and master's degrees and accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. With nearly 1,900 students, an average class size of 16, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1, learners establish value-added relationships with professors and fellow students.

Grand View welcomes students from 31 states and 44 countries. It is also one of the most diverse private universities in Iowa, with 26% of incoming freshmen from diverse populations. The University has weathered the headwinds facing private higher education well. The University’s enrollment increased from 2017 to 2018. And, it expects another increase in the fall of 2019. Grand View has also grown dramatically in physical sense since 2000, from a campus of about 25 acres to one that encompasses 66 acres. Exciting new and renovated spaces support learning and enhance the student experience.

The metropolitan area that will become the new VPAF’s home offers an essentially unparalleled quality of life. The Des Moines metro is a rapidly growing region of 600,000 people. It is known for financial services, insurance, publishing, agribusiness, and technology. Wells Fargo, Principal Financial, Meredith Publishing, Wellmark, Nationwide, John Deere, and DuPont Pioneer are among the larger employers. The metro boasts a relatively low cost of living, high quality health care, a robust arts community, terrific restaurants and a wide array of recreational and entertainment options. No wonder U.S. News & World Report just ranked Des Moines the 5th best place to live in the nation.

The University welcomes the candidacies of higher education financial executives as well as professionals from other fields. Preferred educational credentials and certifications are discussed below. If the candidate does not possess them, s/he must hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or business.

Preferred candidates will have extraordinary financial acumen as well as considerable experience in or the ability to quickly understand the financial intricacies of small, private, enrollment-driven institutions of higher learning. The preferred candidates will be able to explain complex financial information to a broad range of stakeholders. They will have fidelity to budgets and display a collaborative, open style of leadership. Transparency and the highest standards of ethics are elemental to a strong candidacy. Preferred credentials include a Certified Public Accountant designation and/or a master’s degree in business, accounting or a related field. Grand View seeks an entrepreneurial, creative VPAF, who is superbly student-focused in decision making. Finally, GVU is seeking candidates who will commit to a long-term relationship.

The search profile may be found via

https://www.grandview.edu/careers-at-gv

or https://www.agbsearch.com/.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Nominations and expressions of interest may be submitted electronically to: gvvicepresident@agbsearch.com. Candidates are asked to submit electronically in MS Word or Adobe PDF:  (1) a letter of interest reflecting on the leadership attributes noted above, (2) a resume, and (3) the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of five references. References will not be contacted without first securing the permission of the candidate. The University is seeking a diverse pool of candidates and welcomes the candidacies of women and persons from diverse populations. To receive full consideration, materials should be received on or before September 2, 2019. The starting date for the position is late Fall 2019.

Please direct inquiries to:

Frederick V.  Moore, J.D., MBA

Executive Search Consultant, AGB Search

712-299-2544 (cell)

fred.moore@agbsearch.com

AGB Search.com

Richard L. Torgerson, Ph. D.                  

Executive Search Consultant, AGB Search       

(563) 380-4919 (cell)            

richard.torgerson@agbsearch.com

AGB Search.com

Additional information about Grand View may be found at www.grandview.edu and at www.admissions.grandview.edu.

Grand View University is committed to providing equal access to its educational programs, activities and facilities to all otherwise qualified students and job applicants without discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by applicable state or federal law. An Equal Opportunity employer, the University also affirms its commitment to nondiscrimination in its employment policies and practices.