Columbia College Chicago

ZRG has been engaged to recruit a Chief Financial Officer for Columbia College Chicago.

ABOUT COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO:

Founded in 1890, Columbia College Chicago is a private, nonprofit institution dedicated to preparing students for careers in the visual, performing, media, and communication arts. Located in the heart of downtown Chicago’s Cultural Mile, the College serves approximately 4,500 students through more than 60 undergraduate and graduate programs across its schools of Audio and Music, Business and Entrepreneurship, Communication and Culture, Design, Fashion, Film and Television, Theatre and Dance, and Visual Arts.

Columbia’s distinctive approach combines rigorous academics with hands‑on learning and direct engagement with Chicago’s vibrant creative industries.

The College’s diverse community of artists, innovators, and scholars is united by a shared belief in the power of creativity to shape culture, transform communities, and advance social progress.

In 2019, Columbia opened a new $55 million, 114,000-square-foot Student Center—a dynamic space for collaboration, performance, and community connection. The College’s presence in Los Angeles through the Semester in LA program extends its reach into the nation’s entertainment capital, offering students unparalleled experiential learning and professional opportunities.

ACADEMIC OFFERINGS

The College’s specialized programs that bridge the gap between mastery of creative disciplines and broader educational preparation are what distinguishes Columbia from its peer institutions. Faculty members bring real-world experience and industry connections to the classroom to enhance students’ learning experiences. Columbia’s programs and faculty have outstanding reputations in their fields.

In annual surveys, The Hollywood Reporter consistently ranks Columbia’s film program and music composition for the screen MA program as among the top programs in the United States, and the College’s animation, comedy studies, photography, visual effects, and video game design programs have received similar accolades. SEMESTER IN LA

Columbia College Chicago’s Semester in Los Angeles (SiLA) program is an immersive, professional development experience that places juniors and seniors in the heart of the entertainment industry. Students spend a semester living in Los Angeles, completing internships with leading studios, production companies, music labels, and talent agencies while taking courses taught by industry professionals and Columbia faculty. Designed as a capstone to their academic studies, the program provides direct exposure to the business and creative practices of film, television, and music, while also connecting students with Columbia’s extensive alumni network in Los Angeles. Through SiLA, students gain the skills, experience, and professional relationships needed to launch successful careers in creative industries.

Columbia College Chicago embodies a spirit of exploration, discovery, and innovation. The College attracts students who are passionate about making a difference through their creative practice and provides an environment that encourages experimentation, collaboration, and bold expression. Columbia fosters a culture where dynamic voices and perspectives produce new ideas that shape the culture of our times.

Columbia College Chicago is an undergraduate and graduate institution whose principal commitment is to provide comprehensive educational opportunities in the arts, communications, and public information within a context of enlightened liberal arts education.

Columbia’s intent is to educate students who will communicate creatively and shape the public’s perceptions of issues and events and who will author the culture of their times. Columbia is an urban institution whose students reflect the economic, cultural, and educational variety of contemporary America. Columbia conducts education in close relationship to a vital urban reality and serves an important civic purpose by active engagement in the life and culture of the city of Chicago.

• To educate students for creative occupations in varied fields of the arts and media and to encourage awareness of their aesthetic relationship and the opportunity of professional choice among them;
• To extend educational opportunity by admitting unreservedly (at the undergraduate level) a student population with creative ability in, or inclination to, the subjects of Columbia’s interest;
• To provide a college climate that offers students an opportunity to try themselves out, to explore, and to discover what they can and want to do;
• To give educational emphasis to the work of a subject by providing a practical setting, professional facilities, and the example and guidance of an inventive faculty who work professionally at the subjects they teach;
• To teach students to do expertly the work they like, to master the crafts of their intended occupations, and to discover alternative opportunities to employ their talents in settings other than customary marketplaces;
• To help students to find out who they are and to discover their own voices, respect their own individuality, and improve their self-esteem and self-confidence;
• To offer specialized graduate programs which combine a strong conceptual emphasis with practical professional education, preparing students with mature interests to be both competent artists and successful professionals.

POSITION:

Reporting directly to President and CEO Dr. Shantay N. Bolton, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as a critical member of the President’s Cabinet and senior leadership team. The CFO will be responsible for shaping and executing the financial vision that ensures the College’s long‑term stability.

As the chief steward of fiscal integrity and resource strategy, the CFO will partner with colleagues across the institution to align financial planning with the College’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.

This is a pivotal moment in Columbia’s history. Under the leadership of President Bolton—the first woman of color to serve as President in the institution’s 135‑year history—Columbia is entering a new era defined by transformation, innovation, and bold strategic planning.

The CFO will play a defining role in this next chapter by modernizing financial systems, advancing strategic resource allocation, and positioning Columbia for a sustainable and dynamic future.

The Chief Financial Officer provides strategic financial leadership to ensure that the College remains agile and resilient amid changing higher‑education dynamics. The CFO is responsible for the integrity of all financial operations and serves as a trusted advisor to the President, Cabinet, and Board of Trustees.

The CFO oversees accounting, budgeting, financial planning, investments, treasury, risk management, procurement, and audit compliance. Working collaboratively with the academic and administrative divisions, the CFO ensures that institutional resources are allocated strategically to advance excellence in teaching, learning, and creative practice.

The CFO also serves as a key partner in campus planning and capital investment, ensuring that every financial decision reflects the College’s mission and supports its vision for student success, innovation, and institutional sustainability.

KEY LEADERSHIP PRIORITIES:

Advance a Strategic Financial Framework

The CFO will lead the design and implementation of a multi‑year financial plan that aligns resources with institutional priorities. This includes right-sizing operations for an enrollment target of 4,500 students, optimizing the College’s cost structure, and supporting new academic and entrepreneurial initiatives through data‑driven modeling and forecasting.

Strengthen Fiscal Sustainability and Transparency

The CFO will advance financial systems that foster accountability and trust, balancing innovation with disciplined stewardship. They will modernize financial operations, strengthen internal controls, and enhance budget management processes that empower leaders across the institution

Cultivate a Culture of Collaboration and Financial Literacy

The CFO will promote shared understanding of the College’s financial position and encourage campuswide fiscal responsibility. They will engage faculty, staff, and students in transparent communication about budget priorities, ensuring alignment with the College’s mission and strategic plan.

Partner with the President, Cabinet, and Trustees

Serving as a principal advisor to the President and a strategic resource to the Board of Trustees, the CFO will help shape policy, assess financial risk, and build strategies that reinforce the College’s fiscal strength. The CFO will also represent Columbia externally with banks, auditors, and rating agencies.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

• Serve as senior financial advisor to the President and Board, providing data‑informed guidance on all fiscal matters;
• Lead the development of annual and long‑term budgets aligned with strategic priorities;
• Oversee financial planning, treasury, procurement, and risk management operations;
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and accounting standards;
• Partner with Advancement to strengthen endowed and restricted stewardship as well as unrestricted funds;
• Direct the College’s capital planning process and manage debt and liquidity strategies;
• Build and mentor a high‑performing team of financial professionals focused on service, accountability, and innovation;
• Communicate complex financial information clearly to diverse audiences across the College community.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field required; CPA preferred;
• At least ten years of progressive senior financial leadership experience, ideally within higher education or a mission‑driven nonprofit organization;
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing long‑term financial plans and complex budgets;
• Proven ability to manage diverse revenue streams including tuition, endowment, grants, and auxiliary enterprises;
• Experience with ERP systems (i.e. Oracle PeopleSoft, Ellucian) and data analytics tools;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a commitment to transparency and inclusive leadership;
• Deep understanding of the financial and regulatory environment of higher education.

SENIOR MANAGEMENT:

Shantay N. Bolton, Ph. D
President and Chief Executive Officer

Shantay N. Bolton, Ph.D. is President and Chief Executive Officer of Columbia College Chicago. As the College’s 11th president, Dr. Bolton leads the institution in its mission to provide a comprehensive education in media arts, technology, and business within a context of enlightened liberal arts education. Dr. Bolton was most recently the Special Advisor to the President and Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Business Officer at the Georgia Institute of Technology with responsibility for administrative policy development, oversight of the strategic enterprise and operational functions. Before this role, she served as the Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Administrative Officer at Washington University in St. Louis, and as the first Vice President & Deputy Chief Operating Officer at Tulane University.

She is also a two‑time Titan 100 recipient (St. Louis and Atlanta), recognized for her “reputable, distinguished and highly preeminent” contribution to higher education. Dr. Bolton is a professional devoted to connecting theory to practical application through the building of human capital assets with recognized strengths in setting strategic direction and implementing initiatives that enhance organizational performance.

Dr. Bolton is a 2019 Aspen Economic Opportunities Fellow, Certified MBTI Practitioner, Certified Executive Coach (ICF-ACTP), Certified Business Coach (ICF-ACTP), Organizational Development Certified Professional and 6-Thinking Hats/Parallel Thinking Trainer. The founder of both the Tulane University Leadership Institute (TULI) and the Washington University in St. Louis Institute for Leadership Excellence (ILE). She is a graduate of Alabama A&M University, bachelor’s in psychology, master’s in counseling psychology; Walden University, Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology (Industrial concentration) and an MBA in Corporate Business from Florida International University.

WHY IS THIS A COMPELLING POSITION?

Columbia College Chicago offers a uniquely inspiring environment for creative professionals who value innovation, collaboration, and purpose‑driven work. As a college dedicated to the arts, media, and communication, Columbia fosters a culture that celebrates originality and empowers individuals to transform ideas into impact. Working here means being part of an institution that encourages both students and employees to think boldly and shape the future of creative industries.

One of the most compelling reasons to join Columbia College Chicago is its strong commitment to professional growth and career development. Through its Career Center, the college provides extensive support not only for students but for the entire community — including personalized guidance, networking opportunities, and access to a thriving creative network across Chicago and beyond. The impressive outcomes of Columbia graduates reflect this dedication, with 96% employed within a year of graduation and 75% working in their field or a related creative industry. This culture of continuous learning and mentorship extends to the staff, where curiosity and professional evolution are deeply encouraged.

Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, Columbia’s campus offers access to one of the nation’s most dynamic cultural and creative ecosystems. The college’s close connection to the city’s arts, design, and media communities provides daily inspiration and opportunities for collaboration. Employees are part of a vibrant, inclusive environment that values diversity of thought, background, and expression, a cornerstone of Columbia’s mission to champion creativity as a force for positive change.

LOCATION:

Chicago offers the perfect balance of opportunity, culture, and community. It’s a vibrant city where innovation meets creativity, providing endless possibilities for career growth across industries like technology, business, and the arts.

Beyond work, Chicago’s world‑class dining, music, and architecture — along with its welcoming neighborhoods and lakefront lifestyle — make it an inspiring place to live. With its central location, affordable cost of living, and strong sense of community, Chicago is a city where both careers and people thrive.