Fairfield University

Associate Vice President of Finance, Fairfield Prep

Fairfield, CT Full time

Job Description:

Please Read*

For consideration, please contact our search partner, Ken McGovern, President of KMR Executive Search LLC, at kmcgovern@kmrsearch.com or (860) 404-2526.

Fairfield College Preparatory School is an all-boys Jesuit, Catholic high school of excellence located on the campus of Fairfield University for students in ninth through twelfth grade.

Fairfield Prep Mission Statement

Fairfield College Preparatory School is a Jesuit, Catholic School of excellence forming young men of intellectual competence, who possess the conscience to make wise decisions, a compassion for others, and a commitment to justice in our global society.

Fairfield Prep Vision Statement

Fairfield College Preparatory School strives to be a reflective community of faith, in which students revere their relationship with God and with one another. We are committed to graduating transformational leaders who will respond to global and ecological challenges in an interconnected world marked by profound change.

Division: Fairfield Prep

Department: Business Office

Reports to: Prep President

Direct Reports: Accounting Supervisor; Accountant; Senior Director of Facilities and Operations; Employee Services Coordinator; and Director of Technology

Unusual Work Conditions:

Education and Experience Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance. MBA and/or CPA preferred. 5 or more years’ experience in a financial leadership role, within a business and/or academic environment. Workday Experience a Plus.

Essential Functions:

The AVP of Finance is responsible for all aspects of Prep’s financial activities, and has a portfolio that oversees facilities and operations, human resource activities, and technology infrastructure of Fairfield Prep. Reporting to the President, the AVP of Finance interfaces regularly with the senior leadership team as well the CFO and Finance Division of Fairfield University, Prep’s corporate owner.

This is a full year position based at Fairfield College Preparatory School’s Fairfield, CT campus and is not eligible for immigration assistance.

Role & Responsibilities:

  • Serve as a member of the President’s senior leadership team interfacing regularly with the President and his direct reports in academics, enrollment and communications, philanthropy, operations and Jesuit mission.

  • As an employee of the corporation (Fairfield University), interface regularly with the CFO and Finance Department of the university, and periodically with the University Trustee Finance Committee.

  • Serve as staff liaison to Prep’s Board of Governors and Finance Committee, working regularly with the President and the Governors’ Chair of Finance.

  • Financial Planning, Strategy and Analysis:

    • Responsible for the development of all long-range planning of the school

    • Ensure that financial objectives are in line with the school’s strategic goals and mission

    • Prepare frequent financial data and analysis for the school’s strategic plan and executive team, and annually for the University’s Chief Financial Officer’s Team

    • Prepare and implement the school’s annual Operating & Capital Budget

    • Prepare quarterly forecasts during the fiscal year in comparison to the operating budget

    • Prepare special analysis throughout the year as deemed necessary by the President, Board, and the University’s Finance Team

  • Financial Reporting:

    • Preparation and analysis of financial statements for Prep Management, University Board of Trustees and Prep Board of Governors

    • Regular analysis of restricted endowed accounts (note: all endowment management is outsourced to Fairfield University Investment Committee).

  • Invest the school’s excess cash in financial products in conjunction with the University’s treasury group

  • Ensure that adequate internal controls and policies and procedures are in place to safeguard the school’s assets and accounting procedures

  • Manage vendor contracts in conjunction with Fairfield University purchasing and legal departments

  • Oversee Accounting Supervisor who manages student tuition accounts and reporting, along with financial aid accounting

  • Oversee Director of Technology who manages all technology infrastructure, tech support and tech implementation strategy on campus

  • Oversee the Senior Director of Facilities & Operations who has daily responsibility for operations and maintenance of the school’s facilities and grounds

  • Oversee long-term facilities and long-term contracts for food service & custodial services

  • Contribute to periodic enterprise risk assessment with the University and Prep teams

  • Oversee Human Resource function through the Employee Services Coordinator which includes:

    • Onboarding new employees and offboarding employees leaving Prep’s employment

    • Preparation of employees’ annual employment agreements & letters

    • Providing financial support for faculty contract discussions

    • Maintaining job descriptions

Skills & Qualifications:

  • Microsoft Office Skills                                           

  • Ability to Work within a Team

  • Good Communication Skills

  • Good Analytical Skills

  • Well Organized

  • Self-Starter

  • Ability to multi-task

  • Detail-Oriented

  • Ability to Maintain Confidentiality

  • Flexibility to Work Evenings & Weekends

  • Availability by Phone Evenings & Weekends

Other Skills:

  • Communication skills which include the ability to connect with diverse stakeholders and translate complex financial data, so it is relatable for the board, staff, and donors.

  • Be a highly motivated colleague who is dedicated to the goals of advancing secondary education, with a genuine appreciation for our Jesuit, Catholic mission and values at Fairfield Prep.

  •  Participate in the growth and development of Fairfield Prep, which includes:

    • Being open to growth with the ability to adapt to change

    • Promoting a courteous image as a representative of Fairfield Prep

    • Participating & promoting the mission of Fairfield Prep

    • Attending departmental and school meetings, school masses and retreats as requested

    • Keeping current with industry standards and trends through such items as membership in professional associations, attendance at workshops and seminars and in the reading of professional literature

    • Preforming efficiently in all work-related functions

  • Promote safe and secure working conditions, which include:

    • Notifying supervisor immediately of any unsafe working conditions

    • Promoting the proper utilization of equipment and materials

  • Perform other duties as related or dictated by responsibilities

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain, and should not be interpreted as containing, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

Please Read*

For consideration, please contact our search partner, Ken McGovern, President of KMR Executive Search LLC, at kmcgovern@kmrsearch.com or (860) 404-2526.

Category:

Prep - Admin

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate. 
 

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Load a resume or CV first, then upload supporting documents including a cover letter at the bottom of the third page under the "My Experience" section where it says to upload a Resume/CV. You will be able to upload up to 5 other documents in this section. You will be unable to edit your application, so please have all documents available before applying.

Faculty Positions: If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email the additional documents to the applicable contact in the job description.

Staff positions: If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email them to hr@fairfield.edu