Chief of Staff jobs in Maine

We have been retained to recruit the Director of Financial Operations and Chief of Staff for Colby college. This is an opportunity to support the Chief Financial Officer at a thriving institution. For more information please contact: Susan Pemberton, sfp@pembertonhr.com or 207-888-9346.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Reporting to the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Financial Operations and Chief of Staff (DFOCS) is responsible for facilitating the Vice President’s work, coordinating the planning and execution of both routine operations and strategic initiatives, and integrating cross-departmental planning. The DFOCS performs a broad range of analyses, drafts reports and presentations, supports meetings and planning processes and serves as a representative of the Vice President. The DFOCS will work closely with the Vice President/, to coordinate and support the work of the Vice President's staff. This role necessitates a passionate, ambitious professional who can deliver results in a growing institution in a dynamic higher education environment. The role is both strategic and tactical, requiring a versatile, driven individual with high intellectual horsepower, exceptional quantitative and qualitative skills, keen attention to detail, and well-honed business judgment. The Vice President and CFO oversees financial planning and budgeting, accounting, facilities, information technology services, risk management, capital planning and investments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Proactively identify, prioritize, and execute mission-critical projects and strategic initiatives.

Manage complex, multi-faceted strategies and projects across a wide range of business units and priorities.

Serve as a trusted, strategic advisor to the VP and CFO in assessing business opportunities, strategies, and overall team health.

Serves as a key member of the senior management team and key advisor to the VP and CFO assembling resources across the Division in response to crises and urgent issues related to organizational efficiency and effectiveness.

Provides outreach, mentorship, and professional development to staff across the division to create and enhance linkages to the VP and CFO’s Office.

Participates in key constituent meetings to ensure appropriate and responsive follow-up and accountability, facilitating resolution of matters requiring the VP and CFO attention.

Lead early-stage initiatives on behalf of the VP-CFO. Collaborate with cross-functional teams reporting to the VP and CFO and other units as appropriate.

Oversee planning for Board of Trustees Committees staff by the VP and CFO, including actively planning, organizing, and delivering the agendas, materials, topics, and meeting records.

Lead and/or staff functional working groups, including preparing agendas, assigning tasks, and tracking action items

Serve as a liaison to other functional areas of the College, including the Provost's Office, Human Resources, Financial Planning, and College Advancement, to share information and address issues

Coordinate preparation of a broad range of documents and reports for internal use, working with the Vice President/CFO and the Vice President's staff.

Conduct planning studies and related research, as required, to support planning and decision-making processes.

Research and assist in preparing materials for use by the Vice President/CFO; prepare related summaries, analysis, memoranda, policy documents, presentations, and other materials.

Prepare financial reports with analysis, conclusions, and recommendations to implement more effective administrative/operational strategies.

Develop metrics to track operational results to support planning, evaluation, and decision making

Manage and support the VP and CFO searches for exceptionally talented candidates to fill vacancies as needed, including partnering with the Office of Human Resources and coordination and acquisition of executive search firms if necessary

Coordinate the execution of strategic initiatives with the VP's functional area and may lead certain parts of the process

Assess inquiries directed to the Vice President/CFO, determine the proper course of action, and delegate on behalf of the Vice President/CFO to the appropriate individual to manage

Ensure all administrative/operational issues are addressed properly, efficiently, and judiciously, and keep track of progress until resolved

Develop effective working relationships with members of an increasingly diverse community, including students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni

Contributes to the overall success and advancement of the Office of the VP and CFO and the functional areas under the CFO by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in business, public policy, or related fields or the equivalent in education and experience; advanced degree preferred

Ten years of planning, finance, or operational management experience preferred, ideally at an academic institution

Ability to work strategically and collaboratively across departments

Ability to lead and manage organizational change and implementation of change initiatives

Outstanding human relations and leadership skills and the ability to function in a team environment.

Skilled decision-maker, with transparency in decision-making and management

Proven track record of thinking strategically while planning, organizing, coordinating, and directing multiple projects and activities with varied deadlines supporting a complex agenda.

Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks among competing priorities, and meet deadlines

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