Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance
University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville seeks a dynamic and innovative leader to act as a change agent in the role of Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance. Reporting directly to the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance (VCAF) serves as a senior leader overseeing the development and implementation of plans and programs across administration, financial, and student affairs in strategic alignment with the university's values, mission, vision, and goals. The scope of services performed by the VCAF impacts, supports, and resonates across all units and functions of the university.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville, founded in 1866, offers 47 baccalaureate and 10 master's programs. In Fall 2023, enrollment was 6,702 of which 34.08% were first-generation students and 19.50% were Pell-Eligible. The student body is 60.34% male and 39.54% female, 11.00% students of color, and nearly 1.75% international. UW-Platteville students hail from 33 states including Puerto Rico and 20 countries which promotes the richness of a diverse population. The most popular majors include Mechanical Engineering, Business Administration, Industrial Technology Management, Civil Engineering, Criminal Justice, Electrical Engineering, Biology, Construction Management, Forensic Investigation, and Elementary Education. The campus is located in Southwest Wisconsin's largest and most historic community. The region offers excellent school systems, high quality medical and hospital facilities, outstanding recreational opportunities, and vibrant businesses and industries. UW-Platteville is a cultural and educational center for the Tri-State region of Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

This position serves as the chief business officer and is accountable for all business and fiscal matters of the university. The VCAF is a member of the Chancellor's Cabinet and is responsible for providing visionary leadership and management over the functions and units of Auxiliary Services, Capital Planning, Compliance and Risk Management, Dean of Students, Facilities Management, Financial Services, Human Resources, Markee Pioneer Student Center, Project Management Center of Excellence, Residence Life, and University Police.

The all-funds budget for fiscal year 2025 is $169 million. The UW-Platteville Foundation currently has over $40M in endowed funds. In collaboration with the university, the Foundation and Alumni Association is launching a new capital campaign focused on scholarships and capital projects, with a strategic goal of reaching $100M in endowed funds within the next 10 years. Leaders are in the process of drafting the university's 2031 campus strategic plan in alignment with the Universities of Wisconsin's strategic plan.

UW-Platteville has recently completed a financial turnaround and is in a positive financial position with a fully balanced budget across all fund categories. UW-Platteville maintains a strong Composite Financial Index (CFI) within the Universities of Wisconsin. The campus is a blend of new and mid-century architecture focused on meeting the needs of today and tomorrow's Pioneer students. UW-Platteville's Pioneer Blueprint builds upon the recent construction of Wisconsin's premier engineering hall, Sesquicentennial Hall, and the recent renovation of its state-of-the-art biology, environmental science, and chemistry facility, Boebel Hall, to chart a course over the next 10 years to ensure the university's capital portfolio supports the needs of its students, faculty, staff, and regional industry partners. The Platteville campus currently includes 20 academic and student services buildings, 13 residence halls, a separate education and research farm, natural woodland and prairie areas, and a large solar array. The branch campus at Baraboo was integrated into UW-Platteville in 2018.

Responsibilities:

• Primary Responsibilities: The VCAF is responsible for ensuring the human resources, fiscal decisions, and operational planning support the mission, identity, strategic plan, and overall goals of the university.
• Serves as a member of the Chancellor's Cabinet. Works in collaboration with Chancellor's Office and senior leadership on issues related to university administration, finance, and student life in a manner that promotes transparency, cooperation, and inclusion in decision-making processes in the best interest of the university.
• Provides leadership and direction to programs and activities of the Division of Administration and Finance including Auxiliary Services, Capital Planning, Dean of Students, Compliance and Risk Management, Facilities Management, Financial Services, Human Resources, Project Management Center of Excellence, Markee Pioneer Student Center, Residence Life, and University Police.
• Establishes mission, vision, and goals for the division that are compatible with the university's mission and vision and that are in support of strategic initiatives.
• Oversees the development, implementation, and supervision of capital budget and planning projects; works closely with UW System Administration, Wisconsin Department of Administration, and state and local governmental and regulatory offices in the implementation of the plan.
• Guides the development of the institutional annual budget, provides appropriate oversight of the budget system, and ensures that finances and budgets are managed in ways that maintain and strengthen the financial sustainability of the university.
• Leads a team of student affairs leaders responsible for student life and services including: co-curricular activities, student conduct adjudication, residential life programming, student center, counseling, and student health services.
• On behalf of the Chancellor, works closely with Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents and administration, as well as the State of Wisconsin on matters pertinent to areas of responsibility.
• Works with various constituents to develop and/or facilitate the development of programs, policies, and systems that are effective, efficient, and compatible with institutional priorities.
• Assists in the implementation of the Chancellor's vision and goals for the campus by collaborating with System and campus leaders, including being directly involved in strategic planning, strategic planning execution, and programs to advance the mission of the institution.
• Maintains a high level of working knowledge on all federal and state regulatory matters to facilitate sound, informed, efficient, and effective decision-making.
• Works closely with shared governance and constituency groups on campus-related matters to promote open communication, information, and resources throughout the campus community on areas of responsibility.
• Serves as designated university representative for the national organizations of National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) and Central Association of College and University Business Officers (CACUBO).
• Performs various other duties and assignments, as determined by the Chancellor.

What You'll Need to Succeed:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in business, management, finance, or related field. Master's degree or significant, directly comparable, experience.
• Proven ability to successfully lead and oversee the daily operations of a major unit or office at an institution of higher education or similar organization.
• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in higher-level business and/or administrative experience in higher education or in the public sector.
• A record of successful accomplishments in developing effective strategies that uphold and promote the mission, structure, and integrity of an organization.
• A record of working collaboratively with others to fulfill the mission, values and strategic plan of an organization or institution.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• A high level of professional integrity and work ethic.
• The ability to effectively present and explain complex data to a general university audience.
• Ability to lead a variety of operational areas through effective communication, influence, and persuasion at all levels of an organization while balancing patience with a sense of urgency.
• An innovative and forward-thinker regarding planning, strategy, and implementation.
• A working knowledge of federal and state government regulations, court decisions, and higher education practices in areas applicable to this position.
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to arrive at solutions jointly with stakeholders while acting in a fair, flexible, confidential, and ethical manner at all times.
• Leadership skills that include sound administrative, fiscal, and operational decisions that align with an organization's mission, identity, and strategic plan.
• Highly energetic and self-motivated; ability to prioritize work, develop effective policies and practices within units; ability to manage conflict in a positive and productive manner.
• Willingness and ability to implement organizational change in an effective and productive manner.

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a resume or CV, and a letter of interest addressing the qualifications for the position. The position will remain open until filled, and review of materials will begin immediately.

Nominations, applications, and inquiries should be directed to:

Steve Leo, Managing Director
Vicki Henderson, Senior Associate
Storbeck Search
610-572-4296
UWPVCAF@storbecksearch.com

To view additional information of UW-Platteville visit www.uwplatt.edu

This is a full-time position that will be performed on site in Wisconsin. The salary is commensurate with experience with a generous benefits package.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is committed to recruiting, supporting and fostering a diverse, inclusive and civil community of outstanding faculty, staff and students, and is an AA/EEO Employer. A criminal background check is required for employment. Applicants must be legally entitled to work in the U.S. at time of hire. The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released as required by Wis. Stat. § 19.36(7).