VP FINANCE & ADMINSTRATION

New England AFP; New London, Northern (CT, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

Connecticut College, a selective liberal arts college in New London, CT, seeks a seasoned financial leader to become Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA). This executive will oversee finance, administration, operations, and HR, directing budgeting, investments, procurement, and payroll to support institutional priorities and sustainability.

The VPFA partners with the President and senior team to shape strategy, ensure financial resilience, and foster transparent, data-informed

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in finance and administration, preferably in higher education.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with budgeting, investments, procurement, payroll, and financial reporting.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for finance, administration, operations, auxiliary services, and HR.
• Oversee budgeting, financial planning, and resource alignment with mission.
• Drive financial resilience, efficiency, and long-term planning.
• Engage in shared governance with faculty and staff to inform decisions.

Skills

Strategic financial leadership

Communication

Vendor management

Education

BA

CPA

MBA

Tools

ERP systems (SAP/Oracle)

Job description

Connecticut College (https://www.conncoll.edu/) seeks an experienced financial leader to serve as its next Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA). This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly respected liberal arts college with a strong national reputation and a clear vision for its future. The next VPFA will play a central leadership role in leveraging the College’s many strengths while driving innovation, financial resilience, and long-term vitality in an evolving higher education landscape.

Founded in 1911, Connecticut College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in New London, Connecticut, overlooking the beautiful Thames River and Long Island Sound. The College enrolls approximately 1,800 students from across the country and around the world, offering more than 50 majors, minors, and interdisciplinary programs. Known for its innovative Connections curriculum, Connecticut College integrates academic rigor with career preparation, global engagement, and sustainability. With a vibrant campus community, NCAA Division III athletics, and a network of more than 25,000 alumni, the College is committed to academic excellence, equity, and full participation as it enters its second century of leadership in higher education.

Reporting to President Andrea E. Chapdelaine (https://www.conncoll.edu/at-a-glance/office-of-the-president/), the Vice President for Finance and Administration is the chief administrative and financial officer of the College, responsible for leading finance, administration, operations, auxiliary services, and human resources. The VPFA provides strategic oversight for all financial functions, including budgeting, investments, procurement, accounts payable and receivable, and payroll, ensuring alignment of resources with the College’s mission and priorities. This role is central to stewarding the institution’s financial health while advancing a sustainable and forward-looking business model.

As an important member of the senior administration, the VPFA will partner with the President and the College’s leadership team to develop and execute institutional strategy, serving as a trusted advisor on financial, operational, and strategic matters. The VPFA engages deeply in shared governance, working closely with faculty, staff, and students in transparent, data-informed decision-making and fostering an environment of trust and collaboration across constituencies. The VPFA also plays a critical role in supporting and strengthening the College’s workforce in close partnership with Human Resources, ensuring the recruitment, development, and retention of talented faculty and staff.

This opportunity comes at a critical inflection point for Connecticut College. The institution is addressing enrollment pressures, discount rate challenges, deferred maintenance needs, and a structural deficit, while also pursuing ambitious strategic initiatives and preparing for an upcoming accreditation review. At the same time, the College benefits from notable strengths, including a highly regarded NESCAC affiliation, strong brand recognition, a solid endowment, an A2 bond rating, and a growing regional economy that presents opportunities for meaningful partnerships.

REQUIREMENTS:

The next VPFA will be a visible, accessible, and highly engaged leader who fosters a culture of transparency, accountability, and inclusion. This individual will bring exceptional communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate complex decisions with clarity and empathy. The successful candidate will bring at least 10 years of progressive leadership experience, preferably in higher education, with appropriate educational and financial credentials (BA, CPA, or MBA).