Chief Financial Officer

The Opportunity

Engage, Speculate, and Innovate.

In its 52-year history, SCI-Arc has established itself as a leader in architectural education and built an exceptional reputation as one of the nation’s few independent architecture and design schools. However, like many higher education institutions, SCI-Arc faces challenges to sustaining and building on its success, including rising operating expenses, shifts in student enrollment nationally and internationally, greater competition for funding and resources, and greater competition for top-quality staff.

To help realize its goals, SCI-Arc seeks a thoughtful, strategic, and dynamic leader to serve as its next Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The successful candidate will bring a genuine interest and deep commitment to SCI-Arc’s mission and will embody a compassionate, inclusive, and facilitative leadership style that inspires and empowers peers and staff, encourages collaboration throughout the Institute, and fosters the highest levels of service. This leader will help develop and implement a clear, unified vision for finance and accounting that will engage the SCI-Arc community and position the Institute for future success.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a proven leader to initiate positive change and make a lasting impact for one of the most experimental and progressive architecture programs in the world.

Position Summary

• Reports directly to the Director/CEO (CEO), and serves as a critical member of the senior leadership team
• Provides overall vision and strategic leadership for all aspects of the Institute’s financial resources in alignment with the strategic vision established by the CEO and Board of Trustees
• Responsible for developing and executing a sustainable financial model for the Institution that anticipates and responds to the opportunities and challenges inherent in the higher education environment
• Provides leadership and guidance of the Institution’s financial practices
• Serves as a strategic thought partner to the CEO, Vice-Director, senior leadership team, and Board in establishing and maintaining sound financial processes and policies to support institutional initiatives and viability, and leads efforts to support the long-term health, effectiveness, and financial strength of the Institute
• Leads SCI-Arc’s Finance and Accounting operations
• Provides oversight for the Institute’s Financial Aid Office and Store & Print Center
• Provides support and guidance to other administrative and academic functions throughout the Institute

Candidate Profile

• 10 or more years of relevant financial and/or administrative experience, with at least five years in a supervisory or senior management capacity, preferably within large, complex organizations
• Prior higher education experience a plus, but not required
• Solution-oriented service approach with the interpersonal, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills to work effectively and thrive in an inclusive, highly collaborative environment
• Current or prior experience in an educational and/or arts-related environment desired, but not required
• Proven ability to build and nurture meaningful, lasting relationships, and foster collaboration and support among a range of constituents across the Institute, and to educate, inspire, influence, and motivate key audiences

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience required; advanced degree preferred

Compensation

Final salary will be based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role and internal equity. For inquiries, please contact Ben Lambert at ben@berkhemerclayton.com.

Procedure For Confidential Candidacy

Submit resumes or nominations, with assurance of confidentiality, to Berkhemer Clayton, Inc.:

Ben Lambert
President
Higher Education, Healthcare & Nonprofit Practice
ben@berkhemerclayton.com

SCI-Arc is an Equal Opportunity Employer.