Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
The Pay, Perks, & Benefits
- Salary is competitive and will be determined based on relevant experience, skills, market benchmarks, and internal equity.
- Retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) with employer match
- Generous time off, including vacation, paid sick leave, and paid family leave after one year
- Paid holidays, including a two week paid winter break
- Anthem PPO and HSA health plans, with excellent dental options
- Employer paid life insurance
How You Will Help the Team
As a member of the executive leadership team, the Executive Vice President, Finance & Administration serves as a key strategic partner to the President and Board of Directors, helping shape the organization's long-term vision, financial sustainability, and operational effectiveness. This role provides executive leadership across finance, administration, compliance, and organizational performance, ensuring that resources, systems, and processes support IALR's mission and continued growth.
The EVP is responsible for driving enterprise-wide financial strategy, strengthening organizational infrastructure, and ensuring sound stewardship of public, private, and philanthropic resources. Through collaboration with executive leaders, external partners, funding agencies, and the Board, this position helps position IALR for sustained impact, innovation, and regional economic transformation.
In this role, you will:
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Serve as a strategic advisor to the President and Board of Directors on financial performance, organizational risk, investment strategies, and long-range planning.
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Lead the development and execution of enterprise-wide financial, administrative, and operational strategies that advance IALR's mission and strategic priorities.
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Direct all aspects of financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, investments, internal controls, financial reporting, and audit activities.
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Provide executive oversight for Finance, Grants & Contracts, Institutional Advancement, Process Improvement, and other administrative functions as assigned.
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Guide organizational decision-making through data-driven financial analysis, business insights, and resource allocation recommendations.
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Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory, contractual, fiduciary, and governance requirements while maintaining the highest standards of accountability and transparency.
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Partner with division and department leaders to align financial resources with organizational priorities, growth opportunities, and operational needs.
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Lead enterprise risk management efforts and proactively identify strategies that strengthen organizational resilience and long-term sustainability.
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Champion operational excellence by driving continuous improvement initiatives, enhancing cross-functional collaboration, and implementing scalable systems and processes.
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Build, develop, and inspire high-performing teams that promote innovation, accountability, professional growth, and a culture of exceptional service.
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Represent IALR externally with funding agencies, auditors, financial institutions, community partners, government officials, and other key stakeholders.
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Support strategic growth initiatives, major investments, capital projects, and business opportunities that further IALR's impact and mission.
Your Knowledge and Expertise
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Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
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Certified Public Accountant (CPA) strongly preferred.
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Minimum of 15 years of progressive finance and administrative leadership experience, including at least 7 years in a senior executive role (CFO, Vice President of Finance, Chief Administrative Officer, Executive Vice President, or equivalent).
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Demonstrated experience leading the financial strategy and operations of a complex organization with multiple funding sources, business units, programs, or subsidiaries.
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Proven success overseeing annual operating budgets in excess of $25 million and managing long-range financial planning, forecasting, cash flow, and investment strategies.
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Significant experience with grant-funded operations, government contracts, federal and state funding compliance, and external audits.
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Experience advising Boards of Directors, Audit Committees, Finance Committees, and executive leadership teams on financial strategy, organizational risk, and resource allocation.
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Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide process improvement, organizational transformation, or operational excellence initiatives.
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Strong knowledge of GAAP, internal controls, nonprofit accounting standards, financial reporting, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
Preferred Qualifications
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Experience serving in a senior finance leadership role within a nonprofit, higher education, economic development, research, manufacturing, workforce development, or publicly funded organization.
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Experience managing treasury functions, investment portfolios, endowments, restricted funds, and capital improvement projects.
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History of successfully leading cross-functional teams through periods of growth, organizational change, or strategic expansion.
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Experience implementing or optimizing ERP, financial management, business intelligence, and reporting systems.
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Demonstrated ability to build high-performing leadership teams and foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.
Executive Leadership Competencies
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Strategic financial leadership with the ability to translate organizational priorities into sustainable financial plans.
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Executive presence and the ability to effectively engage with board members, elected officials, funding agencies, community leaders, and strategic partners.
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Strong business acumen with demonstrated experience evaluating investments, partnerships, organizational risks, and growth opportunities.
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Exceptional communication skills with the ability to present complex financial information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
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Proven ability to influence organizational strategy while balancing mission impact, financial stewardship, and operational effectiveness.
What Makes Working Here Different
This role offers a unique opportunity to serve as a strategic partner to the President and Board within a mission‑driven organization dedicated to education, workforce development, research, and economic advancement. The EVP, Finance & Administration has a broad scope of influence, shaping financial strategy, administrative operations, and institutional growth initiatives that have a lasting impact across the organization. You will work within a collaborative executive leadership environment that values thoughtful leadership, shared accountability, and the ability to design and strengthen systems, processes, and long‑term outcomes in support of IALR’s mission.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
