Vice President for Finance & CFO

Vice President for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer Position Description 

Gwynedd Mercy University, one of only 17 Mercy institutions of higher education in the United States, invites inquiries, nominations and applications for an experienced and innovative executive to join the leadership team of President Deanne H. D’Emilio as the Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA) & Chief Financial Officer(CFO). This is an exciting opportunity to help guide the strategic direction of the university and build upon its rich history of meeting the next great in society through innovation and a growth mindset. A visionary with knowledge of trends affecting higher education, a strong record of college or university financial management, and the ability to deliver on the goals of a strategic plan is preferred.

Since its founding in 1948 by the Sisters of Mercy, Gwynedd Mercy University has grown from a small junior college with just 48 students to a nationally ranked private Catholic university with more than 25,000 alumni. The University serves about 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students from diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds, and offers a mix of traditional, on-campus and fully online, accelerated options across more than 40 programs within the College of Arts, Sciences and Professional Studies and the Frances M. Maguire College of Nursing and Health Professions.

GMercyU is a place where students not only gain the knowledge and skills, they need to succeed in their careers but also become part of a mission-driven community that embodies its core values of integrity, respect, service, and social justice.  Located on a 145-acre parklike campus just 30 minutes outside Philadelphia, GMercyU is large enough to provide rich academic, athletic, and real-world learning experiences of a larger university, but small enough that professors know each student by name.  It’s why 96% of recent graduates were employed or in graduate school within six months; GMercyU is ranked in the top 7% nationwide for 10-year earnings (Georgetown Center for Education and the Workforce); and the University achieved the highest increase in U.S News and World Report rankings of any school in the Commonwealth and the sixth highest in the country in 2023.  

In recent years the University has embarked on multiple campus transformation projects, including the complete renovation of its oldest residence hall, the addition of a newly renovated baseball and softball field complex, a new outdoor gathering space for students, and new dining facilities, to name just a few.  This summer, the University broke ground on the Frances M. Maguire ’55 Healthcare Innovation Center.  Slated to open in fall 2025 and funded, in part, by a $10 million gift from the Maguire Foundation, this 63,000 square foot building will include state-of-the market technology and teaching and learning spaces that promote interprofessional learning among nursing, occupational therapy, social work, computer science and many other majors.  GMercyU’s Mercy in Motion comprehensive fundraising campaign, which exceeded its initial goal of $25 million nearly 18 months ahead of schedule, is focused on further enhancing the University’s nationally recognized leadership in healthcare education, investing in student success through additional scholarship funding, and sustaining the University’s Mercy mission.

Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President for Finance and Administration is the chief financial officer of the university and a member of the President’s Executive Council. The VPFA/CFO has the primary responsibility to maintain the fiscal health of the University with oversight for the University’s business and financial operations, budget and forecasting, investments, capital projects, human resources, payroll, risk management, legal and contracts, facilities management, and auxiliary enterprises. Demonstrated experience leading and supporting initiatives focused on growth and innovation is preferred. Duties and responsibilities are subject to change.

Qualifications: The successful candidate is expected to have:

• Thorough familiarity with the philosophy and responsibilities of an independent institution of higher education in the Catholic/Mercy tradition. 
• An earned Master’s or Doctoral degree in an appropriate finance or business discipline from an accredited institution required; candidates with CPA credentials will also be considered. 
• At least 10 years senior level finance and administrative management experience inside or outside of higher education is required.
• Experience in higher education is preferred. 
• Strategic thinker who is able to understand the overall vision and direction of the university and who will work together with the President and others to ensure it is realized.
• Strong communicator who can build consensus to achieve results.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including local and state elected officials.
• Open and transparent communication skills to ensure that the university financial position is accurately and effectively reported to the President and all other administrators/bodies. 
• Provides leadership and mentoring to a diverse division of university personnel.

The following qualifications provide additional expectations of the search:

• Oversight for compliance with relative federal and state regulations and laws.
• Experience in senior financial administration including institutional budget preparation and working with university personnel in a system of shared governance and mutual respect.
• Implementation of decisions related to investments, arranging for short-term capital, and for long-term borrowing.
• Experience with financial planning especially related to enrollment management and long-term forecasting.
• Experience managing endowment funds, ensuring compliance with all conditions, restrictions and designations imposed by donors, the President and the Board of Trustees.
• Experience with the accounting and management of grant funds.
• Experience with risk management inclusive of ensuring that the university is properly insured.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify, consult and resolve issues that impact institutional needs and priorities.

In order to be considered for this position, please upload your resume, including salary requirements, and a cover letter explaining how your qualifications and experience align with our organizational needs.  The deadline for all applications is February 1, 2025.