SUMMARY

Tucked away on 40 serene acres in Atherton, California, Menlo College is strategically positioned right in the heart of Silicon Valley, less than two miles from Palo Alto. Founded in 1927, this four-year, private, undergraduate, AACSB-accredited college currently serves over 800 students, the majority of whom are students of color. On that note, Menlo is proud to be one of only a handful of colleges designated as both an HSI (Hispanic-Serving Institution) and AANAPISI (Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution).

The academic program at Menlo focuses on business and psychology education while providing a comprehensive liberal arts base. The vast majority of Menlo graduates have gainful employment opportunities immediately upon graduation.  Meanwhile, the athletics program at Menlo is robust: 18 varsity teams and 3 club sports allow the majority of students to participate in competitive, collegiate athletics. With over 30 countries represented, dozens of staff families living in apartments, and a majority of students on financial aid, this small community provides a warm, welcoming, diverse, and inclusive feel to anyone who steps on campus.

These are exciting, critical, and pivotal times at Menlo. Like many institutions, the College had to reset priorities during the pandemic. Menlo would like to grow to a student population of about 1,100, which feels attainable but will require careful strategic planning and execution. One key foundational element is already underway: the construction of a new residence hall, which will provide accommodations for an additional 288 students – part of a strategic growth plan for the College. Menlo is proud to proclaim that the costs for this new building, which is the first new structure in many decades, have been completely paid for through donor contributions--a tribute to the school’s prudent financial strategy of balanced budgets and minimal debt.

Menlo seeks a CFO to help the College not only maintain the course of financial sustainability, but also collaborate on designing and implementing a vision for crucial growth. The CFO will find a highly respected and engaged college president, who held the CFO role for several years before becoming president in 2017. The next CFO will oversee three mission-critical functional units – the business office, HR, and IT – and serve on the management team, which includes a dedicated group of ambitious, innovative, and servant-minded operational and academic leaders. But through it all, the next CFO will find unequivocal joy in getting to know the individual stories and passions of Menlo’s amazing students, many of whom are seeking life-changing careers in business-related fields. This position starts later this summer, with a priority application deadline of May 27.

For more information please visit the following link, which contains the job opportunity statement and complete application instructions.

https://www.12MRecruiting.com/jobs/menlo

IMPORTANT DATES

Applications Accepted Starting: April 26, 2022

Priority Review Deadline: May 27, 2022

Semifinal Round: Early June (Remote)

Final Round: Late June (On-site)

Start Date: July 2022

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Strategy

• Coordinate the development of and adherence to College-wide and departmental budgets and long-range financial planning, and guide directors in the allocation of limited budget resources for human capital management to achieve the strategic objectives of each department.
• Maintain a strategic focus on ensuring a high return on investment (ROI).
• Ensure that the financial operations, procedures, and ERP environment not only provide necessary controls and safeguards, but also support the continued growth and strategic visioning of the College.
• Monitor and mitigate risk through a comprehensive risk management program.

Future planning

• Develop financial forecasts and key performance indicators to predict likely future outcomes, by both analyzing past performance as well as identifying internal and external factors that may affect future revenue and expenses.
• Aggregate departmental-level budget forecasts to create short- and long-term projections for the Board, management team, and other stakeholders.
• Identify areas of deferred maintenance and capital improvement, and develop plans to invest sufficient resources in the maintenance and upkeep of the physical plant.
• In partnership with other members of the management team, identify and explore alternative revenue streams.

Operations

• Oversee three major operational units and their respective department heads: business office, IT, and HR.
• Coordinate and oversee mandated audits, attest that the statements are accurate and complete in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and ensure that financial reports support the needs of various internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure that accounts payable obligations are paid in full, and expenses are controlled so that enough cash is on hand to meet financial obligations.
• Assist with WSCUC and AACSB accreditation-related initiatives, and perform other duties as assigned.

MENLO IS LOOKING FOR CANDIDATES WHO CAN DEMONSTRATE

Professional Qualifications:

• Multiple years of experience in a senior management role, with demonstrated experience in overseeing accounting and financial services preferably in an educational or not-for-profit institution
• Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, finance, accounting, or a related field
• A master’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, business administration--or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• A successfully-completed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination welcomed but not required
• Up to date knowledge of current financial and accounting computer applications
• Successful track record of managing, supervising, and mentoring professional staff
• Demonstrated experience in strategic and operational planning, as well as budget development

Leadership and Personal Qualities:

• Excellent verbal, analytical, organizational and written communication skills, and a proven ability to effectively articulate organizational objectives and strategic analysis
• Excellent interpersonal skills, empathy, warmth, and collegiality when interacting with diverse groups of individuals
• Organized, systematic, and detail-oriented approach to overseeing mission-critical departments and programs
• Willingness to manage multiple complex projects, work collaboratively, and navigate external pressures and unexpected challenges
• Competency to monitor and control resources
• Outstanding analytical, math, and critical thinking skills
• Ability to anticipate the needs of various constituents and proactively initiate next steps
• A genuine interest and passion for the success of a hard-working student body comprising a large number of first-generation college students, many of whom have compelling and inspiring life stories.

TO APPLY

For more information please visit the following link, which contains the job opportunity statement and complete application instructions.

https://www.12MRecruiting.com/jobs/menlo

Menlo College is committed to a firm policy of equal employment opportunity. All prospective Menlo College employees are required to satisfy a background check and have fully completed their COVID-19 vaccinations (including a booster) or have an approved exemption. A negative PCR test will be required prior to employment. All employees that operate a motor vehicle on behalf of Menlo College must be cleared annually using Department of Motor Vehicle records.