Chief Financial Officer

Salve Regina University; Newport (RI); Hybrid; USD 195,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island, seeks a Chief Financial Officer to shape financial strength, strategic growth, and institutional innovation. Reporting to the President and serving on the President’s Cabinet, the CFO will advise and partner with senior leadership to advance the university’s mission and long-term sustainability.

The ideal candidate will bring 10+ years of senior financial leadership in higher education, CPA/CFA certification, and experience with budgeting,

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressively responsible financial leadership, including oversight of budgets, audits, reporting, treasury, debt, and financial systems.
• Senior finance experience in higher education, preferably private, with familiarity with enrollment economics, endowments, and capital projects.
• Expertise in GAAP, forecasting and modeling, internal controls, risk management; ERP experience (Ellucian Colleague preferred).
• Credibility with governing boards and committees; strong communication and collaborative leadership.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance or business; CPA or CFA required; master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the University’s financial enterprise and oversee a team of ~20 professionals in accounting, budgeting, treasury, payroll, procurement, student accounts, financial reporting, and contracted services.
• Create a forward-looking, multi-year financial strategy aligned with academic and institutional priorities.
• Modernize financial operations, systems, reporting, and processes to improve efficiency, transparency, data integrity, and decision-making.
• Strengthen and develop the Business Office team, fostering accountability, collaboration, service, and continuous improvement.
• Lead operating and capital budgeting, forecasting, liquidity planning, treasury, debt management, and capital financing strategy.
• Partner across enrollment, advancement, and other University functions to strengthen revenue modeling and resource allocation.

Skills

Financial leadership

Higher education experience

GAAP & forecasting

Board communication

Strategic collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in accounting/finance/business

CPA or CFA certification

Master's degree preferred

Job description

With the upcoming retirement of the existing Chief Financial Officer leveraging notable stability of the finance and accounting teams over the past three decades, Salve Regina University (“Salve”) seeks an accomplished, forward-looking Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) to help shape its next chapter of financial strength, strategic growth, and institutional innovation. Reporting directly to President Kelli J. Armstrong and serving on the President’s Cabinet, the CFO will be a trusted advisor and collaborative partner in advancing the University’s mission and long-term sustainability.

An exceptional opportunity

Founded by the Sisters of Mercy, Salve Regina is a Catholic university that welcomes people of all beliefs and combines liberal arts and professional education with a commitment to justice, service, and student success. Its distinctive 80-acre campus in historic Newport, Rhode Island, serves approximately 2,067 undergraduate and 665 graduate students across more than 90 areas of study.

With growing application interest, new academic programs, significant campus investments, and multiple programmatic enhancements underway, Salve offers a compelling platform for a leader who can enable institutional ambitions into sustainable financial strategies.

The leadership mandate

The CFO will lead the University’s financial enterprise and oversee a team of approximately 20 professionals across accounting, budgeting, treasury, payroll, procurement, student accounts, financial reporting, and contracted services.

Priorities include:

• Create a forward-looking, multi-year financial strategy that aligns resources with academic and institutional priorities.
• Modernize financial operations, systems, reporting, and processes to improve efficiency, transparency, data integrity, and decision-making.
• Strengthen and develop the Business Office team, fostering accountability, collaboration, service, and continuous improvement.
• Lead operating and capital budgeting, forecasting, liquidity planning, treasury, debt management, and capital financing strategy.
• Partner across enrollment, advancement, and other University functions to strengthen revenue modeling, resource allocation, and financial stewardship.
• Provide clear financial insight to the President, Cabinet, and Board of Trustees, including its Finance, Investment, and Audit Committees.

The ideal candidate

Salve seeks a strategic yet hands-on financial executive with sound judgment, strong analytical capabilities, an innovative mindset, and a record of leading teams through change. Candidates should offer:

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible financial leadership, including oversight of complex budgets, audits, reporting, treasury, debt, and financial systems.
• Senior finance experience in higher education, preferably within a private institution, along with familiarity with enrollment economics, endowments, and capital projects.
• Expertise in GAAP, financial forecasting and modeling, internal controls, and financial risk management; experience with ERP systems (Ellucian Colleague preferred).
• Credibility with governing boards and committees, exceptional communication skills, and a collaborative, ethical leadership style.
• A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration and CPA or CFA certification; a master’s degree is preferred.

Location and compensation

This is a full-time, year-round position based in Newport, Rhode Island, with eligibility for a hybrid arrangement requiring three days per week on campus.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $195,000-$245,000 annually. The final determination of the selected candidate’s actual pay is based on their experience and qualifications for the role.

Inquiries and expressions of interest

Acceptance and review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Applications can be submitted by applying here: https://caldwell.thriveapp.ly/job/1339

Salve Regina University has retained Caldwell, an elite executive search firm, to assist in conducting this important search. Please contact the Caldwell team for inquiries, nominations, and/or referrals:

Salve Regina University strives to cultivate belonging values through diversity, equity inclusion in order to foster a welcoming culture for our staff, faculty and students, as well as the wider community. Salve Regina University embraces all people with grace. No matter the path traveled to get here, the University acknowledges that many identities will intersect. Salve Regina belongs to all in its community.