Claremont McKenna College (CMC), a world-renowned national liberal arts institution, seeks nominations and applications for the position of Vice President of Business and Chief Financial Officer (VP/CFO). The VP/CFO will report to the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and work closely with the President, serving as a key member of the President’s Executive Cabinet. The VP/CFO will engage regularly with the Board of Trustees, particularly the Finance Committee. A skilled financial strategist, the VP/CFO has oversight of the finance, payroll, student accounts, information technology services, food services, property management, and enterprise risk management functions of the College. The VP/CFO will help to shape CMC’s future through strong fiscal stewardship as the College enters the next exciting phase of its storied history.
CMC currently enrolls approximately 1,400 students and is a member of the Claremont Colleges, a consortium of five undergraduate liberal arts colleges and two graduate institutions nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, about 30 miles east of Los Angeles. Uniquely positioned in higher education, CMC seeks to develop the world’s most influential and entrepreneurial leaders and attracts the very best students due to a clarity of mission, top ranking for return on investment, and commitment to supporting a diverse student body. The College has long been one of the most selective undergraduate institutions in the nation consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges.
Through a collaborative approach, clear and accessible communication, and strategic leadership, the VP/CFO will partner with constituents across the College to support CMC’s mission. As VP/CFO, they will oversee an annual operating budget of $140 million at an institution with a strong financial position. In addition to campus partners, the VP/CFO will work closely and collaboratively with an engaged and financially savvy Board of Trustees in providing short- and long-term financial decision-making for the College. Raising approximately $1.1 billion dollars in their recent campaign, CMC is poised to make exciting campus expansions. CMC is at the forefront of higher education finance, being an innovative leader in the space and setting the stage through fiscally creative initiatives and bold ideas.
Ideal VP/CFO candidates will demonstrate a successful track record in leading and mentoring high functioning teams, partnering across campus, finding solutions and problem solving, building sustainable systems and processes using contemporary technology, and having a keen understanding of stakeholder management. Additionally, strong candidates will possess outstanding judgement, understand when to preserve continuity and when to disrupt, excel at strategic decision-making, and always put students first.
The full annual salary range for the VP/CFO position is $325,000 to $375,000. This range takes into account the wide scope of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.
Claremont McKenna College has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. All inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed electronically and in confidence to:
Dan Rodas, Partner
Amble Ryan, Senior Associate
Kristen Andersen, Senior Associate
Nicole Sancilio, Senior Search Coordinator
In addition to its commitment to a harassment-free educational and working environment, the College is an equal employment opportunity employer. The College is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees and complies with all applicable state and federal laws on the matter. The College does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including gender, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition or medical leave, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law. The College also prohibits the harassment of any employee on any of these bases.
