Wilson College, a private, coeducational institution rooted in the liberal arts and sciences in Chambersburg, PA is starting a national search for its next Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA). Wilson has 2,081 students, operating expenses of $35M and an endowment and other investments of $84M. Reporting directly to the President and a key member of the Cabinet, the VPFA is the chief financial and administrative officer of the College, providing strategic guidance and recommendations on both strategy and operations to the President, the senior staff, and the Board of Trustees in aligning, setting, and achieving the mission, goals and objectives of the College. The VP serves as administrative liaison to various committees of the Board of Trustees including Resources and Audit Committees.

The Position: The College seeks a skilled higher-education financial expert and excellent manager who is familiar with higher-education budgeting, finance, facilities, human resources and risk management.  The VPFA supervises employees in the business office, human resources, post office, and bookstore as well as the outsourced physical plant contract. They must be able to work at the strategic level as a creative partner to the President, the senior team and the Board, and at the technical level with staff in the division. While ensuring efficient use of operations and spending, they must be experienced in developing alternative sources of revenue. The successful candidate will be a high energy experienced higher education professional who will collaborate with other members of the highly skilled senior leadership team to enable Wilson to respond to the changing higher education environment and support the institution’s vision for a sustainable future. The VPFA will be a good people manager and willing to work in a team, be transparent and able to build trust by building relationships throughout the campus. To be successful the new vice president must share the resilient spirit of innovation that characterizes Wilson, be adaptable, embrace change, and value transparency.

Challenges and Opportunities

• Work with the Provost to develop an appropriate funding model to expand Wilson College Online and the existing revenue-sharing academic programs; 

• Partner with the VP of Enrollment Management to help grow enrollment and net tuition revenue from the various student populations;

• Partner with the VP of Institutional Advancement to maximize fund raising and facilitate stewardship of gifts;

•Develop a plan to fund the College’s deferred maintenance projects and improve facilities operations;

• Develop a budget process and a budget forecasting model that will lead to a long-term sustainable financial equilibrium, while accounting for risks;

• Ensure efficient, cost-effective operations of the College;                    

• Assess and develop plans to monetize campus facilities and land during the summer and at other times when they are not being fully utilized;

• Work to modernize and update the processes in the division being mindful of the impact of the changes on the community;

• Establish trust and communicate effectively with all constituents; and

• Strategically manage the College’s debt and ensure that debt covenants are always met.

Qualifications and Characteristics of Successful Candidates

A bachelor’s degree and experience in higher education finance are required, along with at least eight years of increasing management responsibility. A master’s degree in a relevant field and/or CPA is preferred.

Successful candidates will have demonstrated expertise in strategic financial planning, budget modeling, financial analysis, asset management, debt financing, and accounting, as well as oversight of facilities and human resources. The VPFA will be skilled in developing alternative revenue sources and fostering collaborative partnerships that advance institutional priorities, innovation, and engagement. The VP will be a thought leader, good manager and open to using AI responsibly and where appropriate, while verifying and taking full ownership of the final outputs.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Impeccable integrity and sound judgment in all professional and interpersonal relationships;
• A deep understanding of higher education finance, particularly within private colleges and universities;
• Strong strategic planning, forecasting, and resource-development capabilities;
• Proven managerial and leadership skills, including the ability to motivate teams, communicate effectively, and manage change;
• Experience with legal, compliance, and risk management matters;
• A collaborative leadership style characterized by creativity, active listening, adaptability, empathy, and partnership with subordinates, colleagues and senior leaders; and
• Demonstrated success managing financial, physical, and human resources efficiently and effectively.

The successful candidate will be an exceptional financial and administrative leader with strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills that inspire trust and foster collaboration. They will be student-centered and will value diversity and inclusion, demonstrate respect for others, and bring a positive, solutions-oriented approach to their work. The VPFA will understand the challenges facing higher education and be willing to explore innovative opportunities that strengthen the institution’s long-term financial health.

The ideal candidate will be an effective, manager capable of balancing multiple priorities, navigating complex financial transactions, and achieving results through influence, negotiation, and sound decision-making. They will have the courage to make difficult decisions when necessary and the ability to communicate them clearly and thoughtfully. Humility, authenticity, self-awareness, and a sense of humor are also valued. For additional information about the College and the position, please review the profile.

Nomination and Application Process

Nominations and applications are invited for this position. Review of applications will begin immediately, and candidate material received by August 7th will be assured full consideration although recruitment will continue until an appointment is announced. Applications (including a cover letter and resume) must be uploaded on this site. Lapovsky Consulting is assisting Wilson College in this search. For nominations, questions, or additional information, please contact:

Lucie Lapovsky

wilson@lapovskly.com

917-690-1958

It is the policy of Wilson College to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital/familial status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, having a General Education Development Certificate rather than a high school diploma, or any other protected characteristic applicable under law. Wilson College prohibits discriminatory harassment and sexual harassment, including sexual violence and any type of sexual misconduct.