Finance Director of Strategy and Long Range Planning

About The College of Wooster:

Wooster offers an excellent, comprehensive liberal arts education, culminating in a rigorous senior project, in which each student works one-on-one with a faculty mentor to conceive, organize and complete a significant research project on a topic of the student's own choosing. Through this distinctive program, every Wooster student develops abilities valued by employers and graduate schools alike: independent judgment, analytical ability, creativity, project-management and time-management skills, and strong written and oral communication skills. Founded in 1866, the college enrolls approximately 2,000 students.

The College offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes: Health, Dental, Retirement, and Tuition Remission for eligible positions. 

Job Description:

Summary:

The Finance Director of Strategy and Long-Range Planning is responsible for providing advanced financial guidance, deploying capital strategically, and leading financial initiatives and decision support. As a thought leader and program manager, the Financial Director plays a key role in shaping the institution's financial strategy and supporting the decision-making processes of Cabinet and the Resources Committee.

Essential Departmental Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leads advanced financial modeling, multi-year and interim forecasting, and core financial planning and analysis functions including budgeting, variance analysis and trend insights.
• Conducts scenario analysis and sensitivity testing to assess potential impacts on the institution's financial position.
• Strategically deploys capital to support key initiatives aligned with the College's strategic imperatives.
• Collaborates with stakeholders to optimize the allocation of financial resources for maximum impact.
• Leads enterprise-wide cost optimization initiatives, delivering sustainable annual savings while maintaining service quality and supporting institutional priorities.
• Drives continuous improvement in finance processes; refines workflows to enable timely, data-driven decision making.
• Serves as a thought leader and collaborates with cross-functional teams to implement and monitor strategic initiatives, providing financial leadership throughout the process.
• Stays abreast of industry best practices, trends, and innovations in financial management within the higher education sector.
• Shares expertise and insights with colleagues, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement and excellence in financial decision-making.
• Leads the development and execution of financial strategies for the Resources Committee, providing guidance on key financial decisions.
• Presents financial reports, analyses, and recommendations to Cabinet and the Committee, facilitating informed discussions and decision-making.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Qualifications:  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a related field (such as finance, accounting, or business administration) is required.
• Proven experience in financial leadership roles within higher education or a similar complex organization.
• Demonstrated expertise with advanced financial modeling, analysis, and forecasting and process improvement.
• Proven track record of building compelling and insightful analysis, business cases, and reviews of initiatives and programs including costs and revenues that support an organization's strategic imperatives.
• Highly collaborative, well spoken, with excellent communication skills; understands how to achieve results and influence others.
• Relevant certifications, such as MBA and/or CPA preferred.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Skills: 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex financial information to diverse stakeholders.
• Advanced and demonstrated skills with excel, PowerPoint presentations (tells a story), and gravitas to influence and drive with peers, Cabinet Officers, and Board members.
• Strong project management, process transformation and technology enablement skills.

Knowledge: 

• In-depth knowledge of industry best practices, trends, and innovations in financial management within the higher education sector.
• Experience in providing financial guidance to committees or boards, with a focus on driving financial strategy.
• Adheres to financial reporting standards and regulations.
• Proficiency in financial modeling and budgeting software/tools.

Abilities: (Safety, Mission, Ethics and Code of Conduct)

• Follow college mission and vision   
• Adhere to all college processes and procedures.     

Work Environment: 

This role is in an office environment. This is a primarily sedentary role but requires some travel between buildings and departments. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Flexible work schedule permitted.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.
• The employee is frequently required to stand and walk.
• The employee must occasionally lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, occasionally lift, and/may move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.

Additional Information:

The College of Wooster does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, political affiliation, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, disability, age, marital status, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy, or by state, local, or federal law. All offers of employment are subject to verification of the legal right to work in the United States as required by federal law. For more information see our nondiscrimination policy. For more information see our nondiscrimination policy.

Application Instructions:

For highest consideration please submit a resume, cover letter, and a list of 3 professional references which includes name, telephone number and email address.