Wayne State University (Wayne State) seeks a visionary and collaborative leader to serve as Senior Vice President for  Business & Financial Affairs and Treasurer (SVP). The successful placement will join recently appointed President, Dr. Kimberly Espy, in charting a dynamic and ambitious future trajectory for the University. Applications, inquiries and nominations are invited.

Founded in 1868, Wayne State is Michigan’s third largest and only urban public research university, with the Carnegie Foundation’s highest (R1) classifications for research and community engagement,  ranked # 79 among universities ranked by the NSF HERD survey with an annual total research expenditures of more than $240 million last year. Evidenced in its world-renowned faculty, top-ranked programs and groundbreaking discoveries, academic excellence and pioneering research are central to Wayne State’s mission. Wayne State is a member of the University Research Corridor, along with the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, generating 95% of research in the state and supporting economic growth throughout Michigan. As one of the city’s largest employers, Wayne State has a nearly $2.5 billion impact in Detroit — a driving force behind the city’s resurgence. Wayne State consists of 13 schools and colleges offering 240 programs to nearly 24,000 graduate, professional and undergraduate students. Just as the city of Detroit is undergoing a renaissance, the university itself is in a time of significant transformation, strengthening its ability to serve students from Detroit, Michigan and around the world.

Located in the heart of Detroit, Wayne State University embraces its urban research mission, a \“university of opportunity\”, by continuing to provide access to, and success in top tier higher education for students of all backgrounds through its outstanding faculty and research and innovation focused learning environment. This commitment has made Wayne State a national leader in social mobility, ranked as one of the top  research universities nationally in most mobility indices. This commitment also helps nurture the next generation of professionals who will use their education to advance equitable outcomes for all  threads of our society, remedy gaps and disparities, and help meet the needs of Michigan, especially Detroit and its surrounding communities. Approximately, 3 out of every 4 alumni remain and work in Michigan, serving as a talent pipeline for the region and driving the state’s 21st century economy. Wayne State also attracts students from across the United States and beyond.

 

The Division of Business & Financial Affairs leads and facilitates the fiduciary stewardship of the University by managing resources and providing extensive support services to foster excellence and enable the campus community to thrive. Specifically, the Division provides centralized management of the University’s day-to-day financial and budgetary activities and is home to: Business Services, Facilities Planning & Management, Fiscal Operations/Finance, Human Resources, Treasury Services, and Risk Management.

Reporting to President Espy, the Senior Vice President for Business & Financial Affairs and Treasurer is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of the Division and overseeing a staff of approximately 600. As the University’s business officer, the SVP will be a strategic, critical and creative thinker who is skilled at diplomacy, collaboration and consultation, with proven broad-based leadership and management skills. The SVP serves as the Treasurer of the university’s Board of Governors and holds the same position on the board of the university’s foundation.

As a senior member of the President’s  executive leadership team, the SVP participates in institutional decision-making by providing an overall administrative and operational perspective on how to best manage, steward and utilize the university’s resources, promoting the academic, research and institutional goals of the university. The SVP plays an important role in addressing budgetary issues in consultation with the President and serves on several executive-level university teams, councils and committees that set direction in critical areas, including information technology, strategic planning and space allocation. The SVP must exercise managerial courage, inspire confidence, and be an effective advocate in elevating Wayne State’s presence in Detroit, Michigan and beyond.

 

As a constitutionally independent public research university, Wayne State enjoys unparalleled innovation in partnership, supported by a forward looking Board of Governors.  Wayne State has been ahead of the curve in establishment of creative partnerships and entities, including a full service small business support and technology accelerator, Tech Town Detroit; the WSU Foundation and Wayne Health; Corvias Deal, Selling underutilized parcels to support city development. In Wayne State’s Strategic Plan, Our Moment in Time, and campus plan, the Board of Governors have embraced the notion of the university at the center of innovative partnerships that both generate new resources for the university, serve to support the development of the surrounding Midtown area and the Detroit metro, to advance the State of Michigan’s goals.  This record of success provides a strong platform for a creative leader to achieve even greater success as Wayne State’s next Senior Vice President.

The best candidates for the SVP role will have the following experiences or attributes:

 * A complete list of qualifications will be available when the leadership profile is finalized.

 

Although administrative leadership experience in higher education is preferred, Wayne State is open to candidates who have achieved noteworthy success in their respective fields outside higher education to apply. These candidates must have demonstrated experience and a track-record of success working in a complex organization where success is achieved in partnership and collaboration rather than solely through direct authority.

 

The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications in early March and will continue to accept applications and nominations until the position is filled. Applicants must submit a current curriculum vitae and a letter of interest describing relevant experience and interest in the position. Nomination letters should include contact information for each nominee. All nominations and applications will be handled in confidence.

 

Alberto Pimentel, Managing Partner

Emy Cruz, Partner

6512 Painter Avenue, Whittier, CA 90601

562-360-1353 (FAX)

 

Email: apsearch@spaexec.com

Refer to code \“Wayne State SVP\” in subject line

 

Wayne State University is an equal opportunity employer No person will be discriminated against or harassed in employment because of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, arrest record, height, weight, sexual orientation, qualified Vietnam era veterans, qualified special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal or state law.