Reed College (www.reed.edu), home of one of the most challenging, transformative, and intellectually rewarding liberal arts programs in the country, invites nominations and applications for the position of Vice President of Finance & Treasurer (VPF). The VPF reports to President Audrey Bilger and is a member of the College’s senior leadership team. The VPF serves as the College’s chief financial officer and directs critical administrative functions of the College, including the Business Office, Environmental Health & Safety, Facilities Services, Human Resources, Investments, and Risk Management. This is an outstanding opportunity for a finance executive with broad, senior-level operational experience to join a mission-driven organization.

The VPF joins the College at an exciting time and will build on established financial strength, lead a strong team, and contribute to an institution that is well positioned to advance its distinctive educational mission. Reed’s next VPF will continue a tradition of collaborative leadership with close partnerships with the other vice presidents and deans and with faculty leadership. The VPF provides leadership in strategic financial planning and in the development and oversight of operational processes and controls and risk management. Since the College does not have the position of general counsel, the VPF plays a leading role in enterprise risk management and serves as the principal liaison to external counsel. The VPF works with four board of trustee committees and oversees 92 staff through six direct reports.

Reed’s next VPF will be an experienced business and finance leader with a proven track record of success in executive positions in complex, multi-constituent, mission-driven organizations. The VPF must have the capacity to balance a broad view of the enterprise with attention to detail and consequences, the experience and acumen to develop financial plans and analyses that enable bold and confident decision-making, and values that are consistent with the College’s educational mission. Above all other qualifications, the VPF will bring expertise in enterprise-level strategic financial planning and management. Click here for additional information about the VPF role and Reed College: https://adobe.ly/2Xemul2

Additional qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressively responsible financial administration and leadership experience, including several years in a senior-level finance position at an institution of higher education or other complex, mission-driven organization, with a record of leadership in strategic financial management;

• A degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or other related business field;

• Demonstrated experience in effectively working in a collaborative/team environment with an array of stakeholders such as executive leadership and governance boards, high-performing professional staff, faculty, students, and alumni;

• Significant experience with strategic planning and the prioritization and integration of strategic planning initiatives into cash-flow, debt management, operating budget, and capital budget projections;

• Experience with balance-sheet management, including policy development, debt covenant negotiation and compliance, and the strategic management of cash as well as debt and endowment;

• Knowledge of and experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion work that is within or transferable to higher education.

Preferred additional qualifications:

• Experience in short- and long-term investing of operating, capital, and endowment funds;

• Graduate or professional degree in a field such as business or public administration.

Thanks to prudent long-term planning and thoughtful management of shorter-term factors such as enrollments and the COVID-19 pandemic, Reed has avoided the structural deficits that hamper many other colleges. Its financial position is strong and has continued to strengthen. As of June 30, 2020, Reed’s endowment value was $545.1M. Its bonds are rated AA- by S&P Global reporting on debt totaling $99.0M. FY 2020 saw the College report revenues of $105.5M and expenses of $106.5M.

Reed is located in Portland, Oregon, a city International Traveler describes as punching “way above its weight when it comes to creativity, culture and livability.” Reed’s beautiful, well-maintained natural and built environment is situated on 116 acres and is a mere 10 minutes from downtown Portland. For more information about why Reed is a great place to live and Portland a great place to work, see This is Reed.

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Reed College prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or familial status, military status, veteran status, genetic information, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, status as a parent, family relationship, or any other category protected by law. The College's Title IX policy and procedures may be found on our Title IX web page. Inquiries may be directed to the College's Title IX Coordinator by email at title-ix@reed.edu, by phone at 503-517-4842, or on campus in Eliot 108A. Inquiries may also be directed to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office for Civil Rights, US Department of Education.

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Reed College has retained Opus Partners (www.opuspartners.net) to support this recruitment. Craig Smith, Partner, and Marisea Rivera, Senior Associate, are leading the search. Confidential inquiries, applications, and nominations should be sent by email to marisea.rivera@opuspartners.net.