We're Hiring!

Title: Vice President for Organizational and Shared Services
VP Area: VP - CFO
Department: VP - CFO
Position Compensation: $140,000 - $160,000
Location: University Campus - St. Paul, Minnesota

Who We Are:
Northwestern is a faith-driven community, UNWavering in our Christ-centered principles and identity as those who profess faith in Jesus. Rooted in the unshakable foundation of God’s Word and our calling to impact His world, our mission and vision flow from these core values, expressed through Christ-centered higher education at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul and through gospel outreach and faithfulness with Northwestern Media.

Position Summary:
The Vice President for Organizational and Shared Services serves as a senior leader at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul, Northwestern Media, and any future Northwestern-related subsidiaries, providing strategic and operational oversight for key shared service functions. While directly overseeing select service areas, the VP also provides strategic guidance and operational support across all organizational units, driving efficiency, innovation, and mission-aligned solutions. The VP champions a collaborative and service-oriented culture rooted in a Christ-centered ethos, and supports the holistic success of primary internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Vision
• Serve as the principal architect of a forward-looking, integrated enterprise services strategy that aligns with the organization’s Christ-centered mission, vision, and strategic plan.
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership across academic, administrative, and media units to support enterprise-wide priorities through efficient shared service delivery.
• Identify trends, innovations, and technologies to improve service delivery and operational performance. Anticipate future organizational needs and trends, proactively planning for emerging opportunities and risks.
• Foster continuous improvement, innovation, and data-informed decision-making within all service areas.
• Mentor and develop team leaders to grow in both professional capacity and spiritual maturity. Establish succession plans for key roles within areas of oversight.
• Create and maintain an environment of trust, excellence, and accountability within all service areas of oversight.

Operational Excellence & Efficiency
• Provide executive leadership to departments and offices under Enterprise Services including Information Technology, Facilities & Operations, Public Safety, Risk Management, University Events, the campus store, and the mail center.
• Standardize processes and systems across business units to drive efficiency, reduce redundancies, and improve service quality.
• Provide project and portfolio management, ensuring they align with and support the organization’s strategic goals.
• Establish service level agreements (SLAs), performance metrics, and continuous improvement practices.
• Leverage available technology to enhance automation, data visibility, and cross-functional collaboration. Partner with cross-functional teams to integrate and streamline processes and technologies that enhance user experience and organizational effectiveness.

Risk Management & Compliance
• Ensure that all service units operate in full compliance with relevant legal, regulatory, and accreditation standards.
• Proactively identify and mitigate institutional risks related to technology, data governance, and operational continuity.
• Lead oversight of disaster recovery, emergency response, and safety committee planning and business continuity strategies across service areas.

Resource Stewardship & Budgeting
• Oversee the development of budgets for all service units with a focus on sustainability, efficiency, and strategic reinvestment.
• Identify opportunities for shared cost savings, improved vendor relationships, and smart resource allocation.
• Align technology, personnel, and facilities planning with long-term organizational strategic priorities and financial sustainability.

Perform other duties as requested or assigned.

Because our community is a significant part of our mission and the development of our students and listeners, all employees serve as ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ by actively partnering with the University to disciple students as they grow intellectually and spiritually, and with Northwestern Media to lead people to Christ and nurture believers to maturity in their faith.

Qualifications:
Required:
• Master’s degree in business, organizational leadership, higher education administration, or a related field
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in complex organizational environments, preferably in higher education, nonprofit, or media settings.
• Minimum of 5 years successfully leading strategic planning, change management and organizational effectiveness at a senior leadership level.
• Maintain a growing, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, reflect His character in all interactions, and faithfully uphold and embrace Northwestern’s mission, Doctrinal Statement and Declaration of Christian Community

Nice to Have:
• Terminal degree in business, organizational leadership, higher education administration, or a related field

Key Skills:
• Independent & Teamwork: Capable of working both independently and collaboratively, with minimal supervision.
• Confidentiality: Maintains discretion and handles sensitive information appropriately.
• Organizational Skills: Strong time management and problem-solving abilities; able to prioritize and meet deadlines with attention to detail. Collaborative and skilled in navigating complex relationships to ensure satisfactory outcomes for multiple parties.
• Technical Proficiency: Intermediate to advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office and related software.
• Written & Verbal Communication: Strong relational writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills.
• Flexibility: Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel occasionally for work-related purposes.
• Financial Oversight: Experience managing budgets and financial resources within assigned responsibilities.
• Driver’s License: Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation.
• Background Check: Must pass initial and ongoing background checks as a condition of employment.

Work Environment:
The work environment involves working for a suburban, Christian university or Christian owned and operated radio station alongside those with a demonstrated commitment and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a commitment to the mission and values of Northwestern, and an agreement to abide by all Northwestern policies.

Northwestern's Benefits Overview