The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) seeks a Chief Business Officer who is responsible for directing the strategic operations of a $12 million non-profit operating in nine locations worldwide. The Chief Business Officer is responsible for directing all administrative functions of the organization, for seeking out business opportunities and partnerships to enhance our association’s value to our members, and for continually evaluating and improving the operations of the CCCU. The candidate for this position should be familiar with higher education, preferably Christian higher education. As an association leader, the candidate should be energized in finding methods to help improve the financial model for associational institutions through creative and innovative thinking.

A successful candidate will be a proven leader with a solid track record of overseeing financial operations, team-building, and strategic decision-making. The CCCU is committed to administrative excellence within its organization. Thus, the Chief Business Officer will be able to build the capacity and processes of a complex international non-profit, as well as build strong, collaborative relationships within the organization, with administrators on CCCU campuses, and in the broader network of Christian higher education. The CCCU is committed to IT excellence, therefore this candidate should be able to help execute and support the strategic plan already in place to improve the CCCU’s tech infrastructure. Finally, funding for many Council initiatives has been from grantors who share the vision for Christian higher education. Thus, the successful candidate will have a proven track record of assisting with grant and scholarship awards and donor relationships.

Employees of the CCCU work to understand not only their own particular work but also the work of the entire organization. This enables all employees to pray for and work towards the success and flourishing of all colleagues and their work. The Chief Business Officer reports to the CCCU President and serves on the President’s cabinet. The position includes domestic and international travel.

The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities is a higher education association of more than 180 Christian institutions around the world. With campuses across the globe, including more than 150 in the U.S. and Canada and nearly 30 more from an additional 18 countries, CCCU institutions are accredited, comprehensive colleges and universities whose missions are Christ-centered and rooted in the historic Christian faith. Most also have curricula rooted in the arts and sciences. The CCCU’s mission is to advance the cause of Christ-centered higher education and to help our institutions transform lives by faithfully relating scholarship and service to biblical truth (www.cccu.org) (www.bestsemester.com). 

Core Responsibilities:

Operational Strategy Oversight:

• Collect data to inform the development of strategic initiatives under the guidance of the President, Board of Directors, and leadership cabinet, and to inform the viability of starting and ending new programs
• Coordinate the execution of strategic initiatives across all CCCU departments and locations
• Create appropriate metrics and ensure that they are in place to measure performance and progress towards strategic goals
• Participate in the development of the organization’s plans and programs as a strategic partner, including significant participation in the fiscal management and direction of the CCCU’s student programs in such areas as program pricing, goals, and evaluation metrics
• Research and evaluate new business opportunities and/or partnerships that would support our association membership through financial benefits
• Look for ways to improve the financial model of higher education through creative and innovative thinking
• Evaluate and advise on our current programs, the impact of long-range planning, and the introduction of new programs/strategies and regulatory action

Financial Oversight:

• Develop a reliable cash flow projection process and reporting mechanism that includes a minimum cash threshold to meet operating needs
• Interface with the Board and the Finance & Audit Committee of the Board
• Serve as the CCCU staff liaison in working with the CCCU CFO Commission
• Plan, develop, organize, implement, direct, and evaluate the organization's financial function and performance
• Provide technical financial advice and knowledge to others within the organization, particularly student program directors in international locations
• Optimize the handling of bank, investment, and deposit relationships, and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance cash position
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local legal requirements by researching existing and new legislation, consulting with outside advisors, and filing financial reports. Advise management of actions and potential risks

Administrative Oversight:

• Oversee the Human Resources, Information Technology, Accounting, and Facilities personnel to ensure all activities, plans, changes, and initiatives are done for the good of the organization
  • Accounting: Oversee the day-to-day finance and accounting book-keeping activities
  • Human Resources: Oversee policy development, recruitment process, hiring decisions, salary offers, and fiduciary oversight of benefits, including the retirement account
  • Information Technology: Partner with our outsourced IT partner in overseeing and developing the IT strategic vision for data use and policies at both DC and international sites
  • Facilities: Engage in major project oversight at DC site, provide strategic vision for facility renovation/upkeep, and evaluate and advise on potential real estate opportunities
• Oversight of risk management for the organization, including ensuring proper insurance coverage for all areas of the organization
• Enhance and/or develop, implement, and enforce policies and procedures of the CCCU by way of systems that will improve the overall operation and effectiveness of the organization
• Advise, negotiate, manage, and administer all contracts into which the organization may enter

Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Persons applying for the position should:

• Have a strong appreciation for the Christian mission and purpose of the CCCU and its BestSemester programs
• Be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) (not required, but preferred)
• Hold a Masters of Business Administration or equivalent degree
• Have strong experience with grants, contracts, and real estate opportunities
• Have an understanding as to the collective power of an association and how to run a business effectively and efficiently
• Have a solid understanding of running a business and have the ability to evaluate and improve business operations
• Have significant financial administration experience; international financial accounts experience preferred
• Possess knowledge and understanding of non-profit organizations
• Have a proven track record of building teams and great personnel management
• Be a strategic visionary with sound analytical ability, good judgment, innovative thinking, and a strong operational focus
• Be an intelligent and articulate individual who can relate to people at all levels of an organization and who possesses excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Be a good educator who is trustworthy, willing to share information, and able to serve as a mentor
• Have excellent negotiating skills and experience in contracts
• Be a decisive individual who possesses a “big picture” perspective and is well-versed in systems
• Be willing to occasionally travel domestically and internationally

Other requirements include:

• Ability to work for long periods of time at the computer
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally
• Good sense of humor