Vice President for Administrative Services

The Vice President serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet and provides strategic leadership for the College’s financial, operational, and administrative functions in support of Highland Community College’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities. Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President plays a critical role in advancing the College’s commitment to student success, workforce development, community engagement, and responsible stewardship of resources across Highland’s service area.

The Vice President is responsible for developing and implementing innovative financial and operational strategies that promote long-term sustainability, institutional effectiveness, and continuous improvement. This leader provides oversight of finance, campus operations, auxiliary services, purchasing, contracts, risk management, and other administrative functions while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and College policies.

As a trusted advisor to the President and Board of Trustees, the Vice President collaborates closely with faculty, staff, students, and community partners to support the goals of the College’s strategic plan, One Highland: One Mission, Endless Impact. The successful candidate will demonstrate integrity, transparency, adaptability, and a commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and service that strengthens the College’s ability to meet the evolving needs of students, employers, and the communities it serves.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Planning and Budgeting – Provide executive leadership for the development, implementation, and monitoring of the College’s annual operating budget, long-range financial plans, capital budgets, and financial forecasts. Ensure responsible stewardship of institutional resources through effective cash management, investments, debt management, annual audits, and financial reporting. Develop and maintain internal controls that safeguard College assets, ensure accurate financial records, promote operational efficiency, and maintain compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and College policies. Align resource allocation with institutional priorities, strategic initiatives, and student success outcomes.

Financial Analysis and Strategic Resource Management – Lead institutional financial and operational analysis, including enrollment trends, tuition and state funding projections, auxiliary operations, cash flow management, and risk assessment. Monitor economic, legislative, and higher education trends and provide data-informed recommendations to the President, Cabinet, and Board of Trustees to support sound decision-making and long-term financial sustainability.

Facilities, Operations, Fleet Vehicles, and Capital Projects – Provide executive oversight of facilities management, grounds, capital improvement projects, fleet vehicles, maintenance operations, campus safety, and space utilization. Ensure College facilities support a safe, welcoming, and effective learning environment while advancing operational efficiency and long-term campus planning.

Athletics Operational Support – Provide executive oversight and support for the operational and business functions of the College’s athletics program. Collaborate with the Athletic Director to ensure effective financial management, facilities planning, risk management, capital project coordination, compliance support, and resource allocation that advance student-athlete success and align with the College’s mission and strategic priorities. Foster collaboration between athletics and other College departments to enhance the student experience, promote operational efficiency, and strengthen community engagement and institutional visibility.

Institutional Leadership and Governance – Serve as a strategic advisor to the President and a member of the President’s Cabinet. Collaborate with College leadership to advance the mission, vision, and strategic priorities of Highland Community College. Present financial and operational information to the Board of Trustees in a clear, timely, and comprehensive manner. Support institutional planning efforts, accreditation requirements, policy development, and initiatives that strengthen student success, workforce development, and community engagement throughout the College’s service area.

Business and Financial Operations – Provide executive oversight of accounting, purchasing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, contracts, insurance, financial systems, and related business functions. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while promoting effective business practices, fiscal accountability, and exceptional service to students, employees, and community stakeholders.

Information Technology – Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the College’s information technology infrastructure, enterprise systems, cybersecurity initiatives, technology planning, and user support services. Promote innovative technology solutions that enhance student learning, operational effectiveness, data security, and institutional efficiency.

Auxiliary and Support Services – Oversee auxiliary operations including the College Bookstore, food service operations, and other support services. Ensure these functions provide high-quality service, support the student experience, operate efficiently, and contribute to the overall financial health of the College.

Risk Management and Compliance – Lead the College’s enterprise risk management efforts, including insurance, safety, emergency preparedness, business continuity planning, fraud prevention, and regulatory compliance. Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and proactive risk mitigation across the institution.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides leadership and oversight for accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and other assigned business office functions. Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of assigned personnel and financial operations.

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with College policies, procedures, and applicable laws. Responsibilities include recruiting, interviewing, selecting, onboarding, training, mentoring, evaluating, and developing employees; planning and directing work; establishing performance expectations; resolving operational issues; and fostering a culture of accountability, customer service, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in business administration, finance, accounting, public administration, higher education administration, management, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in finance, operations, business administration, facilities management, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in budget development, financial management, strategic planning, and organizational leadership.
• Experience supervising professional and support staff and leading cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including governing boards, employees, students, community members, and external partners.
• Experience developing and implementing policies, procedures, and operational improvements.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations, compliance requirements, and business practices related to higher education or public-sector operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in business administration (MBA), accounting, finance, public administration, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or other relevant professional credentials.
• Experience in a community college or higher education environment.
• Experience overseeing multiple operational areas such as finance, facilities, information technology, auxiliary services, risk management, athletics operations, or business services.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change, capital projects, technology initiatives, or strategic planning efforts.
• Experience working with governing boards, auditors, accreditation processes, and external regulatory agencies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to sit.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and color vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, outside weather conditions, and risk of electrical shock.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  Occasional loud noise may be encountered.

Salary : $115,000 - $130,000