Chief Financial and Administrative Officer
Company:
Dartmouth College
Job Location:
Hanover, New Hampshire
Category:
Business and Financial Services
Type:
Full-Time
Posting date
09/04/2026
Open Until Filled
Yes
Position Number
0006601
Hiring Range Minimum
Please inquire
Hiring Range Maximum
Please inquire
Union Type
Not a Union Position
SEIU Level
Not an SEIU Position
FLSA Status
Exempt
Employment Category
Regular Full Time
Scheduled Months per Year
12
Scheduled Hours per Week
40
Location of Position
Hanover, NH 03755
Thayer School of Engineering
15 Thayer Drive
Remote Work Eligibility?
Onsite only
Is this a term position?
No
Is this a grant funded position?
No
Position Purpose
The Chief Financial and Administrative Officer (CFAO) provides strategic and day-to-day leadership for all business-support functions-administration, facilities, finance, human resources, information technology, institutional research, and research administration. The role oversees 7-10 direct reports that collectively manage a large group of professional staff across seven functional units, and is responsible for a $100+ million annual operating budget. The CFAO partners with the Dean, senior leadership team, and the Thayer Board of Advisors and collaborates with campus colleagues to translate the school's vision into operational reality.
Description
The next CFAO will be a vital partner to academic and administrative leaders across both Thayer and Dartmouth. Leading a broad operational portfolio and a team spanning seven functional areas, the CFAO will foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and service excellence. The successful candidate will bring sophisticated financial and operational expertise, a deep appreciation for the research and teaching mission of a premier university, and strong communication skills with a demonstrated ability to build strong relationships across a decentralized institution. Working closely with leaders throughout Dartmouth, the CFAO will serve as a strategic bridge between the school and the wider university community, helping to advance institutional priorities while ensuring that Thayer's distinctive needs and aspirations are effectively represented.
Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp
Bachelors plus 6 or more years' experience or combination of education and experience
Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
Advanced degree (MBA, MPA, or related) strongly preferred.
Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries
Elisabeth Waltz
Department Contact Phone Number
603-646-3091
Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title
Dean Doug Van Citters
Equal Opportunity Employer
Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.
Background Check
Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?
Not an essential function
Special Instructions to Applicants
Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy. https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy
Additional Instructions
Dartmouth College has retained an external firm, Isaacson Miller, to manage the search for the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer. For more information and to apply for this role, please click hereto visit Isaacson Miller's website.
Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Kristen Andersen at kandersen@imsearch.com
Quick Link
https://searchjobs.dartmouth.edu/postings/87113
Description
Executive Leadership
25
Description
Financial Management
25
Description
Human Resources and Staff Development
10
Description
Administrative Operations
40
Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.
Performs other duties as assigned.
09/04/2026
Open Until Filled
Yes
Position Number
0006601
Hiring Range Minimum
Please inquire
Hiring Range Maximum
Please inquire
Union Type
Not a Union Position
SEIU Level
Not an SEIU Position
FLSA Status
Exempt
Employment Category
Regular Full Time
Scheduled Months per Year
12
Scheduled Hours per Week
40
Location of Position
Hanover, NH 03755
Thayer School of Engineering
15 Thayer Drive
Remote Work Eligibility?
Onsite only
Is this a term position?
No
Is this a grant funded position?
No
Position Purpose
The Chief Financial and Administrative Officer (CFAO) provides strategic and day-to-day leadership for all business-support functions-administration, facilities, finance, human resources, information technology, institutional research, and research administration. The role oversees 7-10 direct reports that collectively manage a large group of professional staff across seven functional units, and is responsible for a $100+ million annual operating budget. The CFAO partners with the Dean, senior leadership team, and the Thayer Board of Advisors and collaborates with campus colleagues to translate the school's vision into operational reality.
Description
The next CFAO will be a vital partner to academic and administrative leaders across both Thayer and Dartmouth. Leading a broad operational portfolio and a team spanning seven functional areas, the CFAO will foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and service excellence. The successful candidate will bring sophisticated financial and operational expertise, a deep appreciation for the research and teaching mission of a premier university, and strong communication skills with a demonstrated ability to build strong relationships across a decentralized institution. Working closely with leaders throughout Dartmouth, the CFAO will serve as a strategic bridge between the school and the wider university community, helping to advance institutional priorities while ensuring that Thayer's distinctive needs and aspirations are effectively represented.
Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp
Bachelors plus 6 or more years' experience or combination of education and experience
Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
- Proven record as a trusted advisor to senior leadership in a complex, mission-driven organization.
- Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience overseeing finance, HR, and facilities.
- Demonstrated expertise in budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, and capital-project finance; experience managing a multi-million-dollar budget.
- Track record of delivering large-scale initiatives on time and on budget, with measurable impact on efficiency and effectiveness.
- Experience leading and developing diverse teams of 50 + staff; commitment to inclusive leadership.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills; ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable information for varied audiences.
- Unquestioned personal and professional integrity; commitment to transparency and accountability.
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (MBA, MPA, or related) strongly preferred.
Advanced degree (MBA, MPA, or related) strongly preferred.
Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries
Elisabeth Waltz
Department Contact Phone Number
603-646-3091
Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title
Dean Doug Van Citters
Equal Opportunity Employer
Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.
Background Check
Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?
Not an essential function
Special Instructions to Applicants
Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy. https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy
Additional Instructions
Dartmouth College has retained an external firm, Isaacson Miller, to manage the search for the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer. For more information and to apply for this role, please click hereto visit Isaacson Miller's website.
Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Kristen Andersen at kandersen@imsearch.com
Quick Link
https://searchjobs.dartmouth.edu/postings/87113
Description
Executive Leadership
- Partner with the Dean and the Senior Leadership Team to advance Thayer's strategic agenda
- Shape and implement Thayer's strategic objectives, priorities, plans and initiatives
- Lead the development of Thayer's finance and administration vision and strategy, with a focus on infrastructure improvement, risk management, financial impact, and operational efficiency
- Deliver concise financial and operational updates to the Thayer Board of Advisors
- Represent the Dean and/or the School on institutional committees and policymaking bodies
- Lead and coordinate school-wide events, such as the Investiture Ceremony
25
Description
Financial Management
- Partner with the Finance Director to lead the development of annual operating budgets, capital budgets, quarterly projections and long range forecasts for academic, research and administrative units
- Deliver regular consolidated financial reports and various analyses to internal and external stakeholders
- Drive revenue-generation strategies while rigorously controlling costs
- Oversee a robust internal controls framework to ensure compliance with Dartmouth policies and external regulations
- Engage with other Dartmouth schools and, more broadly, peer institutions to share best practices and develop a timely framework for making financial decisions.
25
Description
Human Resources and Staff Development
- Partner with the HR Director to oversee recruitment, promotion, compensation, performance management, professional development, and succession planning for Thayer staff
- Partner with the Dean on faculty hiring, retention, annual faculty letters, and workload management
- Establish clear performance metrics, identify skill gaps and create targeted training programs, provide coaching/mentoring, and implement professional development plans
- Assist with mediation of employee relations issues
- Recruit, retain, and develop a high-caliber administrative operations team
10
Description
Administrative Operations
- Provide support, guidance, and accountability to direct reports, and coach them to provide the same for their teams
- Work with Facilities Director to set policies for building operations, space planning, and capital projects; manage space inventory and coordinate renovations and maintenance with Campus Services
- Partner with Research Administration Director and faculty to grow research funding; negotiate/approve contracts; supervise award lifecycle from award to close-out
- Collaborate with the Computing Director to define the IT roadmap; ensure secure, reliable, mission-aligned technology for teaching, research, and administration
- Leverage Institutional Research to develop and track metric dashboards, benchmark against peers, and manage survey-response processes
- Collaborate with Administrative Manager to oversee academic support services for Thayer faculty and ensure high-quality service delivery
- Align school initiatives with Dartmouth HR, Campus Services, and IT; drive data-informed continuous improvement across all functions
- Respond to more complicated inquiries escalated from other groups, connecting the right people and policies; determining when issues should be made into policies
40
Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.
Performs other duties as assigned.
