Senior Vice President for Finance

Since its founding in 1963, Sacred Heart University (“SHU”) has grown into the second largest Catholic university in New England  and is now a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. The Chronicle of Higher Education has cited SHU as one of the fastest-growing Catholic universities in the country. Rooted in the liberal arts and Catholic intellectual traditions, SHU is dedicated to educating the whole person while cultivating students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions, and in their communities. The liberal arts form the foundation of the University’s academic and professional programs, providing students with the intellectual abilities and critical thinking skills essential for every professional and career path and the basis for forming educated citizens in an inclusive, globally connected society.

Enrollment at SHU has risen from the original class of fewer than 200 undergraduate students to nearly 9,000 full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students. The fall 2019 first-year class includes more than 1,600 students from 25 states and 17 countries, 92 percent of whom live on campus. SHU has a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of 22 students. SHU offers more than 80 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and certificate programs through its eight colleges and schools.

SHU is a developing global campus. The main campus, located in Fairfield, Connecticut, covers more than 100 acres, with an additional 200 acres located nearby on West Campus – the former General Electric world headquarters and home to many SHU STEM and business programs. There is also an international campus in Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland and a European business education program in Luxembourg. A prime example of SHU’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and service is its recent agreement with Verizon for the creation and operation of an innovative coworking space at the West Campus. This space will be a hub for innovation teams from large and small companies; for entrepreneurs who want to test their ideas, grow their businesses, and work collaboratively in a supportive environment; and for individual professionals who want to work in a dynamic environment.    

The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 385 Colleges: 2020 Edition as one of the “Best in the Northeast.” Sacred Heart has a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance, and theater.

The Senior Vice President for Finance (“SVP”) reports to the President and is an integral member of the leadership team, working closely with the President, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and other leaders to provide strategic and operational direction to ensure the financial health of the University. The SVP established the objectives, scope of services, structure, and staffing for the finance division while managing optimally in support of the University’s mission. Through this work, the SVP facilitates the achievement of institutional goals by identifying and deploying resources strategically in support of the full range of activities prioritized by the leadership team and is responsible for all financial reporting, including coordination of the audits and tax returns. The SVP would be expected to engage in the vibrant life of the SHU campus.

The ideal candidate would be an accomplished finance leader with experience in the private, nonprofit, and/or public sector(s). A bachelor’s degree is required and an advanced degree is preferred.

Nominations, inquiries, and expressions of interested should be directed to SHU@russellreynolds.com

As an AA/EO employer, Sacred Heart University strongly encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups.