The vice president of finance and administration for Bemidji State University (BSU) and Northwest Technical College (NTC) has accepted a presidency within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system and will begin his new position on July 1, 2015.
The aligned institutions of BSU and NTC seek an experienced professional to serve as their next vice president of finance and administration (VP/FA). The position is demanding and strategic, requiring the ability to lead a large team, collaborate with numerous stakeholders and provide strategic advice and counsel to senior leadership in all areas of finance, business operations, human resources, facilities planning and safety and security. The VP/FA reports directly to the president, serves as Chief Financial Officer, is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and ensures the fiscal integrity of the institution by providing sound financial advice and ensuring sufficient internal controls are in place. The VP/FA is expected to be future-oriented by ensuring that financial and facilities planning is in alignment with the institution’s strategic and master academic plans.
BSU and NTC are part of MnSCU, the largest provider of higher education in Minnesota. BSU is a comprehensive university, offering baccalaureate and graduate education on campus, online and hybrid programs; NTC has a mix of on-campus and online programs. It offers associate of science degrees and numerous certificates and diplomas, as well as being an important regional partner for workforce education.
Both BSU and NTC are located in the regional center of Bemidji, the county seat of Beltrami County, in the beautiful north woods of northern Minnesota. With a city population of 13,500 and more than 10 times as many residents within the surrounding area, Bemidji has highly rated K-12 schools, an airport with twice-daily commercial service to Minneapolis-St. Paul, a state-of-the-art medical center, a full array of retail options and a year-round calendar of festivals and special events. The city of Bemidji is on the shore of Lake Bemidji, which the Mississippi River traverses on its journey from the nearby headwaters of Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. Renowned for its outdoor recreational opportunities, ranging from world-class hunting and fishing to hiking, camping and boating, the Bemidji region is a magnet for visitors and famous for its lakeside statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe, the blue ox. Bemidji is located in the middle of three large Indian reservations, and the history, culture and language of the Ojibwe people are vital aspects of the region’s heritage and diversity. The region’s natural beauty and quality of life help BSU and NTC attract and retain talented and dedicated faculty, staff and administrators. The VP/FA works to ensure that the university and college remain attractive to prospective employees.
BSU’s location on the shore of Lake Bemidji and its wooded campus provide an attractive setting for the residential experience it offers on-campus students. The university is highly accessible and affordable, providing outstanding academic programs taught by dedicated faculty. Students are able to get to know their faculty members and benefit from hands-on learning opportunities while growing as individuals through participation in more than 70 clubs and organizations. Expanding international partnerships are providing new opportunities for students to study abroad, and BSU welcomes both students and faculty from around the world. An Outdoor Program Center organizes trips, rents boats and equipment and offers classes in outdoor skills. The BSU Sustainability Office, under the direction of the VP/FA, has helped create that designation by establishing many community/college partnerships. BSU has been named one of America’s greenest colleges and universities by The Princeton Review. The VP/FA must maintain the beauty of the campus while promoting continued success of green initiatives and community-campus partnerships. NTC likewise benefits from its Bemidji location, attracting many students who want to acquire skills that will allow them to pursue careers in northern Minnesota.
The NTC campus, less than 15 minutes from BSU, is in a quiet neighborhood but easily accessible from major highways. Its programs, in such areas as business, automotive, construction, nursing and early child education, reflect the needs of regional employers. A complete review of college programs over the past year has resulted in a streamlining of program requirements, a focus on fields in greatest demand by students and employers and an intense emphasis on high-quality advising and student service.
Candidates for the VP/FA position at BSU and NTC must have a master’s degree in a related field to business administration, finance or accounting, or an earned bachelor’s degree and related certification, such as Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, Certified Financial Manager or Certified Government Financial Manager. A minimum of seven years of progressive administrative experience in the management of complex fiscal operations is necessary. Of equal importance is an ability to form positive working relationships that inspire trust with all stakeholders: MnSCU chancellor’s office staff, union leadership, community partners, colleagues, students and their parents, architects, vendors, political representatives and Minnesota Management and Budget leadership, among others. Preferred qualifications include evidence of successful collaborations with multiple stakeholders, a terminal degree and demonstrated success in institutional leadership.
For more details, please review the job posting in the MnSCU Opportunities bulletin and visit the BSU and NTC websites for applying and position description/profile information:
http://www.mnscu.edu/jobs/index2.php;
http://www.bemidjistate.edu/offices/human_resources/employment/faculty_administrator/
http://www.bemidjistate.edu/offices/human_resources/VP-PD-Profile).pdf