University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) seeks a vice chancellor for finance and administration (VCFA) to join its leadership team. The ideal VCFA is a fiscally innovative and strategic leader who can help promote an excellent working environment through strong collaboration and a commitment to UIS's mission, vision and values. This critical role not only serves as the chief financial officer, but also shapes and drives improvements to the university's business model, operational effectiveness and process efficiency.
The VCFA is an inaugural, elevated and expanded position which now includes oversight over budget and financial planning, human resources, grants and contracts, purchases, facilities, the performing arts center, and campus safety. Newly reporting directly to Chancellor Janet L. Gooch who joined the UIS community on July 1, 2022, and joining as a member of the Chancellor's Cabinet, the VCFA will work in partnership with UIS's senior leadership team to support UIS's aspiration to be an engine for progress, creativity and social mobility and empowering students, faculty and staff to make a difference in our globally connected world. Building upon the existing five-year UIS Deficit Reduction Plan, the VCFA will create new revenue streams and expand opportunities within facilities rental, grant opportunities, athletics, partnerships with other campuses and community colleges and local public/private partnerships. While focus for the short term will be on the existing deficit reduction plan and implementing that plan strategically, the next step for the VCFA will be to create a longer-term vision, with the chancellor, for what the financial future of UIS looks like upon completion of the five-year plan.
Working closely with the senior leadership team the VCFA will play an important leadership role in addressing the following UIS priorities: streamlining the partnership with the University of Illinois System and UIS; ensure there is a beneficial relationship with the University of Illinois System, including regarding how to implement a more permanent process defining how to allocate surplus and new revenue streams; cultivating, evaluating and implementing new ideas and strategies; and analysis of data and strengthening operational efficiencies.
The VCFA must be an experienced administrator with proven leadership skills, including a minimum of 10 years of progressive financial administration experience at an organization of similar (or larger) size and complexity to UIS. Essential experience should be inclusive of developing financial and business policies and practices, a demonstrated commitment to embracing and fostering diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as a deep respect for shared governance. The VCFA will also possess the interpersonal and communication skills required to lead change, implement efficient and effective policies across a large and diverse institution and work collaboratively to promote a culture of collegiality and innovation.
Established in 1969 as Sangamon State University by the Illinois General Assembly, UIS became the newest member of the University of Illinois system on July 1, 1995. UIS serves 4,200 students (2,400 undergraduate students and 1,800 graduate students) with 201 full-time faculty and 500 full-time staff with an operating budget of $102.5 million. UIS is dedicated to fully engaging students in the process of active teaching and learning. UIS offers degrees that are relevant to students' personal and professional success across a lifetime and provides students with a distinctive academic experience through a cross-discipline approach to teaching, research and outreach. Located six miles southeast of the Illinois State Capitol, the campus occupies 740 acres of prairie land adjacent to Lake Springfield.
All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile found at www.wittkieffer.com. WittKieffer is assisting University of Illinois Springfield in this search, which will remain open until an appointment is made. Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer's candidate portal. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Kim Brettschneider, John Thornburgh, and Jevon Walton at UISVCFA@wittkieffer.com.
The University of Illinois Springfield is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment, education, and access to campus facilities without regard to race, creed, sex, national origin, age, disability or sexual orientation. UIS' policy is intended to carry out explicitly all state and federal laws and executive orders that prohibit discrimination.
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Kim Brettschneider, John Thornburgh, and Jevon Walton
WittKieffer
UISVCFA@wittkieffer.com ------------------------------