Serving New Mexico State University, New Mexico’s flagship land-grant and space-grant institution, New Mexico State University Foundation (NMSUF), seeks a highly-collaborative, thoughtful, and savvy senior finance leader to serve as CFO/Controller. The CFO will join a dedicated team, contributing to the Foundation’s growth, and will play a critical role in planning and executing the financial goals of the foundation, ensuring long-term strategic growth. Responsible for leading and managing the finance and accounting team with expert counsel, the CFO will maintain impeccable financial processes and controls to safeguard NMSUF’s resources and credibility. The successful candidate will be skilled at winning the confidence of board members, colleagues, and other internal and external stakeholders. This is a wonderful opportunity for an accomplished finance leader to advance the foundation and join a vibrant community.
Founded in 1888, New Mexico State University is the oldest institution of higher education in New Mexico. NMSU ranks in the top 20% of all selective public colleges in moving students from the lowest income tier to the middle and is among the best in the nation at moving people from the bottom tier to the top. Over 50% of NMSU students are first generation college students and over 60% are Hispanic, meaning NMSU is one of the most important and effective drivers of economic mobility in the state. Rated as a military and veteran friendly university, NMSU dedicates significant resources and support to active-duty military, their dependents, and veterans. The University also has a storied history of top-tier and deeply impactful research. This is particularly true in the College of Engineering, which has strong partnerships with institutions such as Stanford University around innovation and private collaborations with companies like Intel, Boeing, Sandia Labs, and Northrup Grumman. Across five campuses, 33 Extension offices, 12 agriculture and research science centers, NMSU reaches across New Mexico and strives to increase opportunity for all and invest in research to change lives.
For the NMSU community, private philanthropic support is vital to increased accessibility. The recently-completed Ignite Aggie Discovery Campaign, the largest in the university’s history, raised over $125 million across three distinct pillars – student discovery, faculty, and staff discovery, and NMSU achievement. Of the total, $39 million alone was dedicated for student support, and $55.6 million was raised for programmatic and research support. With an endowment of $240 million, and $370 million of total assets, the NMSU Foundation has a massive opportunity to raise even more for student, faculty, and community success, creating an even deeper need to establish strong financial controls and leadership.
With a new Foundation President joining in Spring 2020, there is an energetic eagerness throughout the foundation team to develop and execute on an ambitious growth plan. To do so, NMSUF is looking to attract a finance leader with unique balance of sophistication, authenticity, and passion for the New Mexico community. Crucial to the success of the foundation, the CFO will take initiative in developing and maintaining critical financial information and reporting processes to be used to safeguard and control the Foundation’s resources.
Ideal candidates will be dedicated, hard-working, and meticulous. They must possess the proven ability to work with a widely diverse set of stakeholders and have the personal maturity and political acumen to communicate effectively with University and Foundation leaders, Board Members, staff, and other external constituents. A personal and professional commitment to valuing the differences in who we are, what we’ve experienced, and how we think, is vital. Excellent leadership and organizational skills in addition to superior verbal, written and interpersonal skills are essential. While not required, Spanish-speaking ability is always a plus. Candidates with experience in Blackbaud Financial Edge and nonprofit environments, particularly higher education, and the demonstrated ability to work effectively across the organization is preferred.
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Business. Additionally, a CPA and MBA is strongly preferred. Ten or more years of increasingly progressive management experience in financial accounting, preferably with a non-profit or fund accounting organization is preferred.
How To Apply
The New Mexico State University Foundation has retained Talent Citizen to assist in this recruitment. President Tracy Welsh and Senior Associate Eva Kotilinek are leading this search.
Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest, the reasons why you are best suited for the position and would be a great addition to the NMSU community, and where you learned of the position. Nominations and applications should be sent directly to NMSU-CFO@talentcitizen.com.
NMSU is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.
