Vice President for Finance and Board Treasurer

POSITION: Vice President for Finance and Board Treasurer

REPORTS TO: Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

STATUS: Full-time, Exempt

RANGE: $265,000 - $285,000

Founded in 1901, Brooklyn Law School is a distinguished, independent law school located in Downtown Brooklyn, New York. The Law School is searching for a Vice President for Finance and Board Treasurer to join our team. The Law School’s size, vibrant employee and student population, and commitment to training the next generation of lawyers and promoting social justice, will offer a candidate the opportunity to develop and diversify practical skills and participate firsthand in operating a successful educational institution.

The Vice President for Finance and Board Treasurer (VPFBT) will serve as an innovative financial leader who—through a collaborative approach, clear and accessible communication, and strategic leadership—will work closely with diverse constituents across BLS to extend and amplify the school’s academic mission. The VPFBT will serve as Board Treasurer and a strong partner to the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (EVP), Dean and President, and Board of Trustees, playing a crucial role in overseeing the financial health and sustainability of the institution.

Reporting to the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (EVP) and overseeing the Controller, the Vice President for Finance and Board Treasurer will lead the Finance department, overseeing general accounting, treasury functions, procurement, internal audit, risk management, and audit processes, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and strategic alignment with the school’s mission and goals. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a strategic mindset, a commitment to supporting the mission of the school, and an inclusive and facilitative leadership style that inspires and empowers staff, encourages open communication and collaboration, and fosters innovation.

Responsibilities include:

Financial Strategy & Management

• Develops and implements financial strategies to ensure long-term sustainability and growth aligned with BLS’s mission and goals.
• Works closely with the Director of Budget and Planning in the preparation, analysis, and monitoring of departmental budgets, ensuring financial forecasting and planning aligns with institutional strategy.
• Participates in capital expenditure (CapEx) budgeting and capital project planning with the Vice President for Operations and other key stakeholders.
• Prepares and presents accurate and timely financial reports to the Board of Trustees and executive leadership.
• Oversee treasury functions, including cash management, investment strategies, and risk management.
• Together with the Controller and Human Resources, provides oversight for payroll operations to ensure accurate and timely processing of employee compensation.
• Provides high-level guidance for general accounting functions, including accounts payable/receivable, journal entries, and month-end close processes.
• Ensure that all policies and procedures within the scope of the VPFBT are updated and communicated to administrative staff.
• Collaborates with the Chief Advancement Officer on financial reporting for development and fundraising efforts.
• Supports the Executive Vice President on commercial and real estate contract negotiations and management.
• Identifies and implements process improvements to enhance financial operations and reporting efficiency and accuracy, advocating for innovative processes and technologies.

Financial Reporting and Compliance

• Oversee the preparation of all financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and compliance reports for government agencies and accrediting bodies.
• Ensures adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and higher education financial reporting standards, and all federal, state, and local financial regulations.
• Maintains a robust internal control environment to safeguard assets and mitigate financial risks.
• Together with the Controller, directs all aspects of external financial audits, working closely with auditors and key internal stakeholders.
• Provide transparent and insightful financial reports to the Board of Trustees, Finance and Audit Committee, Executive and Senior Leadership to support informed and strategic decision-making

Procurement & Internal Audit

• Oversee the procurement finance function, ensuring cost-effective purchasing practices and compliance with institutional policies.
• Establishes and oversees an internal audit function to ensure financial integrity, compliance, and process improvements.
• Develop strategies to enhance financial controls and risk mitigation measures.

Investment & Endowment Management

• Works with the Executive Vice President, the Finance Committee, and external consultants to play a key role in the investment management of the BLS endowment.
• Ensure investment strategies align with institutional policies, priorities, and financial sustainability goals.

External Relationships & Risk Management

• Leads the effort to improve operating efficiencies and manage relationships with governmental bonding authorities, rating agencies, banks, and other external financial institutions.
• Works with external auditors, brokers, and insurers to implement risk management strategies.
• Sets strategic priorities for risk management, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and regulatory requirements.

Board & Governance Responsibilities

• As Board Treasurer, serves as the primary liaison for the Finance & Audit Committee.
• Chairs the BLS Pension Committee, providing strategic oversight of the 403(b)-retirement plan and counsel on pension-related matters.
• Collaborate with the Finance Committee on investment strategy and financial planning.

Leadership & Team Development

• Collaborate with the executive team to develop and execute the school’s strategic plan, with a focus on financial sustainability.
• Provides financial insights and recommendations to the Board of Trustees.
• Analyzes financial data and trends to inform strategic decisions and long-term planning.
• Leads, mentors, and develops the finance and accounting team, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Works with faculty and staff to build financial literacy across departments and support informed decision-making.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, economics, finance, or a related field required. (Add Education/Degree required)
• 10+ years of progressive financial leadership experience, with a strong preference for having served as a chief financial officer in higher education or a not-for-profit setting.
• Expertise in financial strategy, accounting principles, budgeting, and procurement.
• Strong understanding of applied nonprofit accounting principles, regulatory compliance, and financial reporting.
• Proven ability to recruit, lead, and develop teams.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and time-management skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to effectively prioritize and direct multiple projects with competing deadlines in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
• Ability to think strategically and bring an entrepreneurial perspective to financial management.
• Proficiency in financial management software, accounting systems, and data analysis tools.
• Experience with internal audit and risk management best practices.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and ethical standards.
• Solid foundation in accounting, controls, forecasting, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with data-informed decision making, strategic planning, and program evaluation.
• Passion for the mission and values of Brooklyn Law School.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in accounting, business administration, finance, or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) active designation strongly preferred.

Remote capabilities:

• This position is eligible for a hybrid/remote schedule.

Brooklyn law school has an excellent benefits package that includes sick, personal and vacation paid time off, a generous retirement plan, dependent tuition scholarship Pre K- undergraduate college and additional summer Friday PTO.

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

It is the policy of Brooklyn Law School to be impartial in the treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to race, creed, religion, color, natural origin, citizenship status, gender, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, union affiliation, political affiliation, sexual orientation or preferences or any other legal protected status.

Compensation details: 265000-285000 Yearly Salary

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