The Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences (Batten) and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) seeks a seasoned, mission-driven, and collaborative Chief Financial Officer (CFO) who is both a strategic leader and a people-centered partner. Reporting to the Dean of William & Mary’s Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences and Director, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, the CFO will guide the organization’s financial stewardship in support of its research, education, and advisory service mission.
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is an executive-level position reporting directly to the Dean & Director and is a member of the executive leadership team. The CFO serves as the chief advisor to the Dean & Director regarding all financial matters of the Batten School & VIMS by providing leadership and rendering financial decisions through authority delegated by the Dean & Director. The CFO develops and communicates high-level strategy to ensure the organization is financially stable and able to take advantage of new innovative opportunities, and they conduct routine evaluations of organizational programs to ensure optimal use of resources to meet strategic priorities. The CFO partners collaboratively and confidentially with unit heads, faculty, and staff in facilitating resolutions of problems or issues in financial processes that impede efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
Among other responsibilities, the CFO will formulate and execute strategic financial and operational plans in concert with organizational leadership; establish a financial culture grounded in service to the missions of Batten & VIMS and its community members; modernize, expand, and grow the financial function of the organization to meet the needs of an organization steeped in innovation and growth; employ a service leadership mindset in leading and developing a team of dedicated financial professionals; develop, disseminate, and enforce sound and effective financial policies and procedures; develop and submit organizational operating and capital outlay budget requests to the governor and general assembly for consideration; cultivate and maintain strong professional relationships as the liaison to William & Mary central finance and administrative offices; and actively engage in William & Mary Board of Visitors meetings and VIMS Foundation Board meetings.
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned and confident financial professional with experience in the field of higher education. They will be a mission-driven leader who is inspired by the organization’s purpose, motivated to align financial strategy in direct support of research, education, and advisory service outcomes. This person will be collaborative and people-oriented, capable of building lasting relationships across units and engaging stakeholders to develop creative, solutions-oriented approaches. The CFO must be a strategic and creative thinker who is comfortable operating in ambiguous situations and developing innovative solutions where standard frameworks may not apply.
The successful candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, or other relevant field, with specialized expertise and significant experience directly related to the position, along with substantive years of progressively responsible strategic leadership experience overseeing financial and administrative functions within a university setting. They will demonstrate outstanding financial expertise, strong technical knowledge and skills in a range of finance disciplines, and experience in financial modeling and analytics in support of the development and implementation of long- and short-range financial goals. A master’s degree and knowledge of state and federal regulations governing higher-education institutions are preferred.
Screening will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made. Requested application materials include a letter of interest and a curriculum vitae or resume and should be submitted via the Talent Profile. Nominations and inquiries should be directed electronically to BattenVIMSCFO@dsgco.com This is a full-time position that will be performed on site in Virginia. The starting salary range for this position is $250,000-$275,000, commensurate with experience.
Carly Rose DiGiovanni, Managing Director
Christine Falcone, Managing Associate
BattenVIMSCFO@dsgco.com
