Posted: 27-May-26
Location: Bemidji,
Internal Number: JOB_POSTING-3-16623
Job Description
The Vice President of Finance and Administration (VPFA) provides equitable, inclusive, and ethical leadership for fiscal strategy, forecasting, and stewardship to enact and advance the mission, vision, values, and priorities of Bemidji State University (BSU) and Northwest Technical College (NTC). The VPFA reports directly to the President, acts as Senior/Campus Financial Officer (CFO), serves as part of the Executive Leadership Team and the Cabinets, and represents BSU and NTC in various roles and on committees of Minnesota State. The VPFA holds supervisory responsibilities for a team of professionals and educational leaders who ensure stability, compliance, and integrity in the areas of Finance and Budget; Facilities Management, Planning, and Construction; Information Technology Services (IT); Risk Management and Public Safety and Security; Parking; Procurement and Logistics, Environmental Sustainability, Business Office, and Student Payroll.
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Leadership
Serving as a member of the President's Executive Cabinet and attending NTC Cabinet meetings when appropriate.
Providing thought leadership related to the scope of responsibility in planning and decision-making for BSU and NTC including service as a senior advisor and partner to the President in pursuit of the vision and mission of BSU and NTC.
Centering holistic student learning, success, satisfaction, and achievement leading to long-term educational value in all professional practices.
Demonstrating self-awareness of one's own cultural beliefs, perspectives, and privileges as a part of one's orientation toward leadership.
Acknowledging the specific and particular realities of Indigenous, Black and persons of color, 2SLGBTQIAP+ individuals, first-generation college students, people from low-income families, and other minoritized communities within Northern Minnesota while also connecting communities to local and regional experiences to foster a greater sense of belonging among employees and students.
Advancing campus cultures of proactive, transparent, and inclusive engagement with shared governance. Actively and visibly engaging with campus, local, and regional communities.
Promoting practices that are environmentally sustainable and consistent with practices advanced by American Indian stewards of the region's land, water, and air.
Proactively engage in data-informed practices that lead to continuous improvement.
Committing to the highest level of ethical practice including allocation of time and resources for reflection, rest, mentoring/consultation, etc.
Maintaining currency in areas of leadership responsibility including Senior Financial Officer duties articulated below through engagement with strategically selected and agreed-upon professional organizations.
Senior Financial Officer / Campus Financial Officer (CFO)
Providing strategic guidance and oversight in the development, monitoring, evaluation, and communication of the budget plans for BSU and NTC informed by mission, vision, and values; the strategic plan; and campus budgets.
Convening and facilitating the work of the Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) consisting of selected Cabinet administrators, representatives from bargaining units spanning both campuses, and student representatives from both campuses.
Drawing on data and trends to develop budgetary recommendations for the President and other senior leaders.
Serving as liaison to the BSU Alumni & Foundation and the NTC Foundation, providing consultation regarding Foundation budget and planning including reconciliation of Foundation support with the BSU and NTC budgets.
Establishing baselines and fiscal targets to ensure that institutional budgets are equitable and reflect priorities articulated within the strategic plan.
Providing leadership in preparing and monitoring budgets to ensure compliance with laws, policies, procedures, state statutes, and accreditation requirements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Preparing or directing the preparation of financial/budgetary statements; forecasts; and analyses, reports, and ad hoc reporting.
Study and reporting on budgetary matters and policies including cost accounting to ensure the fulfillment of the short, intermediate, and long-range plans.
Providing leadership for Minnesota State NextGen and Workday applications related to finance as utilized by the BSU and NTC campuses.
Providing leadership for procurement.
Providing leadership and direction that ensures positive outcomes for internal and external audits.
Communicating with students, staff, leadership, community stakeholders, and System Office staff on all matters related to finance and budget.
Representing BSU and NTC at system-wide meetings and other external entities.
Partnering with the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness to compile, analyze, and interpret relevant data for strategic and data-informed decision-making as related to the scope of responsibility.
Educating BSU, NTC, and related stakeholders about fiscal, facility, technological, and risk management practices.
Facilities and Space Management
Providing strategic guidance and oversight for the development, monitoring, evaluation, and communication of all plans for all buildings, grounds and related operations as informed by institutional mission, vision, and values; the strategic plan; and the comprehensive facility plan.
Advancing institutional priorities of student success; diversity, equity, and inclusion including accessibility; and environmental sustainability in all facilities related work.
Preparing Requests for Proposals and hiring and working closely with architects and construction/management firms.
Communicating effectively with staff, students, leadership, community stakeholders, and Minnesota State System Office about space planning, building, and facilities management.
Sustainability
Providing strategic oversight and operational leadership for environmental sustainability by developing, implementing, and monitoring policies, practices, and performance metrics that advance energy efficiency, resource conservation, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability goals.
Collaborating with facilities, finance, and campus stakeholders to integrate sustainability principles into capital planning, building operations, maintenance, and vendor management while ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and budgetary constraints.
Safety and Security Service
Leading and managing the Safety and Security Services including reporting of OSHA, hazardous waste, gas emissions, and parking.
Information Technology Services (IT)
Providing leadership and management of IT administrative and academic computing services including telecommunication and other enterprise technology, network systems, and technical support operations.
Supporting leadership in the preparation of a strategic plan for IT Services.
Communicating with students, staff, faculty, leadership, and community stakeholders on technology needs, budgets including technology fees.
The work of Safety and Security Services.
Collaborating with the Head of Staff to lead, manage and Implement Emergency Plans including the Continuity Plan.
Salary Range:
Depends upon qualifications ($159,339 - $254,829)
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a field related to the position.
Minimum of five (5) years of progressive administrative and leadership experience in (the) field(s) of business and fiscal management, facilities management, and/or information technology management.
Demonstrated achievement for the work of advancing an environment of mutual respect, equity, and inclusion for students, faculty, professional staff, and the broader college and university community.
A disposition for team leadership with executive peers and a proven capacity to lead cross-divisional and/or cross-functional teams to attain strategic outcomes.
Evidence of effective communication skills including positive, effective interpersonal communication-speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Preferred Qualification
Graduate degree in a field related to the position and/or related certifications such as Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, Certified Financial Manager, or Certified Government Financial Manager.
Experience beyond the minimum of five (5) years of progressive administrative and leadership experience in (the) field(s) of business and fiscal management, facilities management, and/or information technology management in a complex fiscal operation.
Experience in four-year and/or two-year higher education in budgeting and financial management, and/or experience in public college or university systems.
Demonstrated ability to develop effective relationships across the college and university, both within the Finance and Administration Division and with other divisions (e.g., Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management & Student Success, Advancement, and Athletics) to achieve strategic priorities.
Knowledge of emerging trends, challenges and opportunities, current standards, and effective practices in higher education and college and university operations, particularly when related to development of resource streams, coordination with philanthropic work, design thinking, and/or achieving efficiency through shared services in a constrained resource environment.
Evidence of supervisory skills including fostering continuing professional development among employees.
Evidence of continuing professional education, affiliations, and/or certifications relevant to the position.
Experience related to sustainability and environmental safety.
Other Requirements
Must be able to lawfully accept employment in the United States at the time of an offer of employment. The College/University regrets that we are unable to offer H1-B sponsorship at this time.
Official transcript(s) must be provided to Human Resources upon hire.
In accordance with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (Minn State) Vehicle Fleet Safety Program, faculty and staff driving on college/university business, who use a rental or state vehicle, shall be required to complete a vehicle Use Agreement form and conform to Minn State's vehicle use criteria and consent to a motor vehicle records check.
BSU and NTC are tobacco free workplaces (see policy).
Physical Requirements
Ability and willingness to work long hours under pressure.
Ability to meet established deadlines.
Ability to travel in state and out of state.
Work Shift (Hours / Days of work)
Exempt / Full-time
Telework (Yes/No)
Telework currently not available for this position.
A complete application shall include the following:
A cover letter specifically addressing your qualifications, the core values of student success and DEI at BSU and NTC, and the focus on enhancing value for graduates at BSU and NTC.
Resume / Curriculum Vitae.
Unofficial transcript(s) of all undergraduate and graduate coursework.
Please do not email applications.
If you have questions about this position, please contact:
If you have questions about submitting an application, contact:
Mary Miller
218-755-2084
About
University / Community
Why Bemidji:
It's more than a job. It's an opportunity for the extraordinary.
On the idyllic shores of Lake Bemidji, cradled among the limitless natural beauty of the North Woods and neighbored by Minnesota's three largest Indigenous nations, Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College offer opportunities for the extraordinary.
Bemidji State University has been ranked as one of the top 30 public institutions in the Midwest region by U.S. News & World Report each year since 2019. BSU offers its diverse student body a comprehensive spectrum of opportunities with nearly 120 undergraduate degrees and emphasis areas in more than 50 areas of study, 14 pre-professional programs, and 14 graduate programs and certificates.
As Bemidji State continues its second century of service, our vision is simple: we educate people to lead inspired lives. To achieve this, BSU centers diversity, equity and inclusion as a core value and strives to create a campus culture in which all members are free to be their authentic selves. BSU also proactively engages with Indigenous communities in northern Minnesota and nationwide toward its goal of becoming a destination university.
Northwest Technical College, one of only three pure technical colleges remaining in Minnesota, helps around 1,000 students align their education with their employment goals. NTC offers more than three dozen certificates, diplomas, and degrees in five career paths. For more than 50 years, NTC has prepared students for fulfilling careers in well-paying, in-demand fields. NTC's accessible, affordable, hands-on programs also help employers meet their ever-growing need for a highly skilled workforce. With an open-enrollment policy and affordable tuition, NTC meets students where they are with a convenient mix of on-campus, online, and hybrid courses.
BSU and NTC are members of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities, the third-largest system of higher education institutions in the United States. The schools share a unique alignment, with administration and student services generally having dual responsibilities to serve both campuses. Through this alignment, NTC students can take advantage of services, support, activities, and opportunities at BSU that expand and enhance their college experience - such as full access to BSU's library and the ability to live in BSU's on-campus resident housing.
For the first time, a joint strategic planning process will guide the future directions for both institutions. The schools are pursuing four shared strategic priorities: student success, the Nisidotaading initiative, northern distinction, and telling our story. These priorities will serve as the foundations for master planning processes for facilities, academic programs, fundraising, information technology, intercollegiate athletics, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, among others.
The Nisidotaading initiative - named for an Ojibwe phrase meaning ""building mutual understanding"" - is creating a statewide center of excellence. It will develop communities of practice meant to help Minnesota State colleges and universities better educate their campus communities on historical trauma and lived experiences of their Indigenous populations, and how to most effectively guide Indigenous students toward their educational goals. In addition, BSU is the first university in the United States to expose all of its students to a course on Indigenous people before graduation.
Bemidji State University acknowledges that it is located on land and water that is the current and ancestral homeland of the Ojibwe and Dakota. We acknowledge the painful history of genocide, forced assimilation, and efforts to alienate the Indigenous inhabitants from their territory here. We honor and respect the many diverse Indigenous peoples still connected to this land, retained tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and cultural resilience. Indigenous people are spiritual and physical caretakers of this land to which we all belong. Bemidji State University respects these sacred lands, stands with the community members from these Nations, and will fight injustice in all its forms.
At Minnesota State, the work we do is more than just a job. In their pursuit of purpose, connection, and growth, our employees play a critical role on our campuses. They develop policies, provide essential services, and work to improve the well-being and quality of life for our students and for all Minnesotans. Minnesota State is committed to equity and inclusion, and we invest in our employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities. Unlock your potential through possibility.
The City of Bemidji
Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College lie amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota. Bemidji State occupies a wooded campus along the western shore of Lake Bemidji while Northwest Technical College lies just three miles east, near Bemidji's robust industrial district.?
The city sits between Minnesota's three largest American Indian tribal nations: the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, the Red Lake Nation and the White Earth Nation. When settling the Bemidji area in 1750, the Ojibwe people named the lake Bemidjigamaag, which means ""a lake with crossing waters"" as the Mississippi River flows in from the south and exits on the east. Today, a city proper with a population of around 15,000 serves as a regional economic and cultural hub for about 100,000 Minnesotans.
Located just minutes away from a thriving downtown Bemidji, both the BSU and NTC campus communities have convenient access to affordable restaurants, fine-dining experiences, cozy coffee shops, grocery stores - including a natural foods co-op - city parks, and nearly unlimited outdoor recreational opportunities. Small, locally-owned shops and art sculptures line Bemidji's downtown streets, while national chains are also found in and around the area.?The historic Paul Bunyan Playhouse has a calendar of classic shows, restaurants offer weekly live music performances, the First Friday Art Walk provides a tour of new monthly art exhibits, and annual festivals bring the community together throughout the year.?
Additionally, the North Woods setting means students, staff, and faculty have a variety of activities available at their fingertips year-round. With more than 400 lakes - and a 240-acre research forest owned by BSU - within 25 miles of the city, there is easy access to kayaking, canoeing, swimming, boating, paddle boarding, hunting, hiking, biking, foraging, fishing, and more. An expansive network of?multi-use trail systems is available for running, cross-country skiing, single-track or fat-tire biking, and skijoring. Further, downhill skiing, snowboarding, and tubing lie just north of Bemidji at the Buena Vista Ski Area.
Bemidji is also near two of Minnesota's 66 state parks:?Lake Bemidji State Park, which sits along Lake Bemidji's northern shore, and Itasca State Park, home to the majestic Mississippi River Headwaters. Both parks are popular recreational and camping destinations where locals and tourists gather for sailing, swimming, and fishing during the summer months, and?skating, hockey, curling, and-yes-more fishing in the winter.?
Of course, no tour of Bemidji is complete without a visit to - and a selfie with - its two most famous residents: the iconic statues of Paul Bunyan and his trusty companion, Babe the Blue Ox. The famed duo, which has greeted visitors to Bemidji since 1937, is on the National Register of Historic Places and was once ranked by Kodak as the second most-photographed statue in America.
For further information about BSU visit http://www.bemidjistate.edu or NTC at https://www.ntcmn.edu.
Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College are Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employers and Educators. This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities. Consumers with hearing or speech disabilities may contact us via their preferred Telecommunications Relay Service.