Alfred University - VP Business and Finance/CFO

Alfred University — located in Western New York State— a small, private, comprehensive doctoral degree-granting university with 1700 students and a $240M endowment and state-sponsored programs in engineering, and art and design, is doing a national search for its next of Vice President for Business and Finance/Chief Financial Officer (VPBF). Alfred has been included on the Princeton Review list of the 359 Best Colleges for the 35 th consecutive year, has the #1 ranked MFA in Ceramics and is ranked #12 among best value schools in the country in US News and World Report . The Vice President reports directly to President Mark Zupan, serves on the President's leadership team and is an active participant in all aspects of institution-wide financial management, planning and policy development. This individual will join a dynamic and energetic senior team which is student-centered and supports academic excellence, co-curricular engagement, and involvement in an inclusive and vibrant community of learners and makers. Alfred is fortunate to have a very talented and dedicated board. Alfred students are innovators, makers, and purpose focused.

The University seeks a strategic financial leader who can align resources, investments, and revenues to advance Alfred University’s mission and strengthen the student experience. The new VP will serve as a trusted partner to the President, Provost, and leadership team, bringing a forward-looking perspective to institutional decision-making, anticipating emerging opportunities and challenges, and developing financial models that support sustainability over the coming years. The ideal candidate will combine exceptional financial expertise and administrative acumen with an entrepreneurial mindset—helping academic and administrative leaders make thoughtful choices about investments, identify opportunities for greater efficiency, and cultivate new and sustainable sources of revenue. Above all, the new VP will be student-centered, deeply committed to the value of higher education and Alfred University’s distinctive mission, and motivated by the opportunity to help position the University for long-term success. The successful candidate will be forward-thinking, entrepreneurial, transparent, collaborative, collegial, an engaged listener, and an exceptional communicator who can build trust and foster a culture of shared accountability and strategic stewardship.

The new VP will manage the areas of finance, facilities, risk, food service (in partnership with the VP of Student Engagement), bookstore, ancillary services, procurement, and investments and endowment. The VP will support the Finance, Building and Grounds, Audit, and Investment committees of the board of trustees.

Challenges and Opportunities

Move the University to Financial Equilibrium  

Develop New Sources of Revenue and Help Increase Existing Revenue

Develop a Budget Process and Balanced Budget

Maintain Efficient, Cost-Effective Operation of the University

Partner with the Town and the Village

Provide Leadership to all Direct Reports and Create an Effective Team  

Gain Trust and Communicate Effectively with the Campus

Please review the position profile for additional information about the University and the position.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will be student-centered, positive, collaborative, optimistic and forward thinking. The VP will demonstrate unquestioned integrity, be an outstanding listener, open to feedback and input, a good communicator, a strategic thinker and possess strong and effective interpersonal skills that engender trust and cultivate collaboration. The VP will have a strong commitment to promoting inclusivity. They will be a servant-leader who is respectful of others and who works to help their colleagues achieve their goals. The new VPBF/CFO will be an exceptional financial and administrative leader with superior analytical and management skills and a willingness to explore new and creative opportunities for ensuring the University’s financial health. The successful candidate will maintain financial discipline, have an entrepreneurial spirit and will be willing to think outside the box and take prudent risks. The new VPBF/CFO will be a skilled negotiator and will work to help the faculty and staff achieve their goals. They will understand the higher education landscape, and the challenges that higher education is currently facing and provide innovative ideas in approaching the future. The new VP will be able to understand and negotiate complex financial transactions and the ability to achieve goals using influence and negotiation skills. The successful candidate will have the fortitude to make difficult choices when necessary and the ability to convey decisions with clarity.

The new VPBF will be knowledgeable about the critical areas in the portfolio and will have experience working with boards of trustees. They will have at least ten years of progressively increasing experience in finance and administration and in managing a large staff with diverse responsibilities. Higher Education experience is highly desirable as well as experience in business, non-profits and/or other sectors. Experience aligning expenses with revenue expectations and restructuring will be valued. A bachelor’s degree is required, and a CPA, MBA or other advanced degree is preferred.

Nomination and Application Process

Nominations and applications are invited for this position. Review of applications will begin immediately, and candidate material received by October 23, 2026 will be assured full consideration. Applications (including a cover letter and resume) must be uploaded to: . Lapovsky Consulting is assisting Alfred in this search. For nominations, questions, or additional information, please contact:

Lucie Lapovsky

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EEO Statement

Alfred University is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to qualified persons without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military, veteran status or any other protected status or classification under federal, state or local laws.