DRAKE UNIVERSITY Vice President of Business and Finance/ Treasurer
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DRAKE UNIVERSITY
Vice President of Business and Finance/
Treasurer
Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, is seeking an experienced and talented person to
fill the position of Vice President of Business and Finance/Treasurer. He/she will replace
Ms. Victoria Payseur upon her retirement after 14 years of extraordinary service to the
University. Reporting to the President, the Vice President will lead the Business and
Finance Division, which includes approximately 20 essential operating functions and 230
employees plus approximately 130 outsourced employees. He/she will oversee a
University budget of approximately $125 million, an endowment portfolio in excess of
$150 million and a 140-acre physical plant with 60 buildings.
DRAKE UNIVERSITY
Drake is a private institution with a well-articulated mission
to promote the integration of liberal arts and professional
education in order to shape its students as reflective
scholars, effective practitioners and engaged citizens.
Founded in 1881 by Frances Marion Drake, a Civil War
general, Drake University has been a center of education
and opportunity for more than 125 years.
As a medium size private university, Drake provides its
students with the benefits of a large school with the intimacy and personalization of a
small liberal arts college. Drake's size allows faculty and staff to foster close relationships
with students that help meet educational, professional and personal goals.
Drake’s six colleges and schools offer breadth and depth in all of their programs. Its
some 5,600 undergraduate, graduate and professional students may choose from more
than 70 programs of study, and they have the option of designing an individual major to
help meet educational, professional and personal goals. Drake's student-to-faculty ratio
of 14:1 offers a quality experience that reflects its mission statement and allows the type
of faculty attention to student work expected from a private institution.
DRAKE UNIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT
Drake's mission is to provide an exceptional learning environment that prepares students
for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments and responsible global
citizenship. The Drake experience is distinguished by collaborative learning among
students, faculty and staff and by the integration of the liberal arts and sciences with
professional preparation.
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DES MOINES, IOWA
Drake’s location in Des Moines, Iowa, the state capital, puts the university at the
crossroads of the state’s cultural, business and political activity, all of which provide
students with many opportunities for learning, internships, and careers linked to the city’s
wealth of businesses, schools, healthcare systems, government and cultural institutions
and activities.
Drake’s 150-acre campus is within 10 minutes of downtown Des Moines;
facilities include both modern architectural showplaces and historic buildings.
The Drake neighborhood is an eclectic mix of turn-of-the-century homes, shops
and services including coffeehouses, restaurants, grocery stores and an art-house
movie theater.
Drake’s location in the political and business hub of Iowa, coupled with the
University’s reputation in the community, makes Drake a resource upon which
area employers rely when filling internships and jobs.
Des Moines is also a great place to enjoy modern art or classic architecture, experience
metropolitan amenities or explore scenic bicycle trails. The city’s diverse offerings
include the antiques shops and one-of-a-kind boutiques of historic Valley Junction;
downtown’s lively East Village and Court Avenue districts; a zoo, science center and art
museum; and the annual Des Moines Arts Festival, which is ranked among the top five
art festivals in the country by AmericanStyle magazine. In its July 2008 issue, Kiplinger’s
Personal Finance magazine named Des Moines one of the top 10 best cities in the
country to live, work and play. Other accolades include:
The #1 Best Place in U.S. for Young Professionals Forbes
The #1 Highest Median Income U.S.News & World Report
The #1 Best Place to Raise a Family Forbes
The #1 Best Place for Business and Careers. Forbes
The #5 Best City for Families. Parenting magazine
Top city for Weathering the Real Estate Bubble. SmartMoney
2Top 3 Most Livable Cities. Forbes
Top 3 Where to Live + Play Now. National Geographic Adventure
Top 10 Best Housing Markets. SmartMoney
5th in its category in "Best Cities for Relocating Families." Worldwide ERC
Iowa ranks 6th in America's Top States for Business. CNBC
AN EXCEPTIONAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT
More than 900 faculty and staff members have chosen Drake as the place to further their
careers. The University continually evaluates its practices and culture in an effort to
provide an exceptional working environment. A strong sense of community, a dedicated
and engaged faculty and staff as well as an interest in and enthusiasm for shared
governance, deliberative decision-making and open communications infuse the Drake
culture.
DRAKE UNIVERSITY’S FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL PROFILE
During the past12 years Drake University has become a national model for higher
education in a variety of ways. Despite a national economic downturn, the University has
produced a surplus budget for the last seven years allowing for capital improvements
totaling $96 million and significantly reducing deferred maintenance. Sound fiscal
management also provided for considerable increases in faculty and staff salaries as part
of a comprehensive compensation project.
Contributing to the University’s financial success has been a 100 percent increase in the
number of undergraduate applications in the past five years, producing a steady first-year
enrollment of 830 or more students each year with a consistently improved academic
profile. In addition, strong transfer admission and a graduate student enrollment of
approximately 2000 combines for an overall enrollment average of 5500 students per
year. A major factor in Drake’s stability in enrollment is a retention rate between the
freshman and sophomore year that has ranged from 87 to 89.4 percent in recent years.
The University is engaged in a major comprehensive fundraising campaign with a goal of
$200 million. The campaign has reached one-half its goal to date.
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
The scope and variety of activities in this Division include the following: Accounting,
Controller’s Office, Student Accounts, Student Loan Collection, University Budget
Office, Financial Analysis, Financial Reporting, Endowment, Investments, Cash
Management, Grants Accounting, Banking, Payroll, Internal and External Audit, Facility
3Services, Service Employees Union, Procurement, Real Estate Operations, Bookstore,
Security, Parking, Human Resources, Student Employment, Mail and Copier Services,
Dining Services and other food operations, Environmental Health and Safety, Debt
Management, Construction/Architectural Management, Contract Management, Risk
Management and Insurance.
Strategically, the Division of Business and Finance focuses its energies and activities on
achieving five principal and ongoing goals:
To enhance the long-term financial health of Drake University
To ensure that resource allocation is aligned with the University’s strategic
priorities
To provide a competitive and safe environment
To facilitate and monitor a competitive salary and benefit package for all faculty
and staff
To mitigate institutional risk and preserve University assets
The Vice President for Business and Finance/Treasurer is the chief financial and
business officer of the University and reports directly to the President. The Vice President
acts as the staff liaison for the following standing committees of the University’s Board
of Trustees: Business, Finance and Investment Committee; Audit Committee; and
Buildings and Grounds Committee. The Vice President serves as a member of the
President’s Cabinet and is directly involved in strategic decisions affecting the future of
the University. The Vice President leads the University's Sustainability Initiative, part of
the President's Climate Commitment and Blue is Green initiative.
During the past 10 years, the Division of Business and Finance has continuously
examined its operations for cost savings, process efficiencies and “best practices.” Some
accomplishments in recent years include:
Developed a 20-year Campus Facilities Master Plan
Created multiyear (g.a.a.p.) operating and capital budgets tied to the University’s
strategic plan and priorities
Renovated all student residence halls (last two were completed by the fall of
2008)
Invested more than $96 million in facilities since 2001
Increased operating results steadily each and every year for the past 10 years
Funded an $11 million investment in heating/cooling infrastructure from energy
savings
Developed a University-wide performance evaluation system which links
individual employee goals directly to the University strategic plan and provides
merit pay for performance
Created a transparent environment for financial operations, including:
o Annual campus wide Budget Presentations and Financial Updates
o Business and Finance and Campus Master Plan Updated, November 2010
o Business and Finance, Strategic Plan FY04–FY08 Final
4o Business and Finance, Strategic Plan FY09–FY13 Summary
o Key Indicators
o Financial Report Card
o Current Audited Financial Statement ended May 31, 2010
o Modified Sarbanes-Oxley model
o Tuition and fees philosophy
ATTRIBUTES
To provide the leadership required in this position, the Vice President of Business and
Finance/Treasurer will demonstrate the following attributes:
A vision and passion for the University programs, its Mission and Strategic Plan;
Strategic decision making, management and leadership capabilities;
The skill to create and communicate an inclusive University financial plan on a
community wide basis and with external constituents;
The ability to build trust and develop strong working relationships with the
president, the board, the senior leadership team, faculty, staff, students, and
community leaders in an open and collaborative environment;
A commitment to institutional transparency and accountability
Knowledge of and experience in implementing best financial and compliance
practices across a large organization;
The confidence to make decisions guided by honesty, integrity and
trustworthiness
An ability to understand the distinctive culture of the Drake University
community;
An ability and willingness to represent the University on a local, regional and
national level;
A commitment to sustainability in managing the physical resources of the
University;
An advocate for students who understands the student environment
Management expertise in the context of a large, diverse, and service-focused
organization;
An understanding of contemporary technology and software that applies to the
University
Knowledge of risk management, human resource and security and safety best
practices;
5QUALIFICATIONS
A minimum of a master’s degree with demonstrated experience in all aspects of
business and finance,
Significant experience in higher education administration or comparative
experience in the areas of business and finance or related fields
CPA preferred
NOMINATIONS AND INQUIRIES
The Vice President of Business and Finance/Treasurer Search Committee will begin
reviewing applications September 19, 2011, and will continue until an appointment is
made. To assure full consideration, applications should be received by October 3, 2011,
and must include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae and five professional references
with email and telephone numbers (references will not be contacted without prior
authorization from the applicant). Applications and nominations should be sent
electronically (MS Word or Adobe PDF) to:
drake@agbsearch.com
The search is being assisted by:
Oscar C. Page, Ph.D
Senior Consultant
AGB Search
ocp@agbsearch.com
903-870-8303
Drake University is an /Equal Opportunity Employer
and actively seeks applicants who reflect the diversity of the nation. No applicant shall be discriminated against on the
basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or veteran
status.
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