EVP, Finance & Administration

EVP, Finance & Administration

Role summary

Kelaca is looking for an EVP, Finance & Administration for their client partner in Danville, VA.

This is a senior executive opportunity for a leader who can combine strategic financial stewardship with broad administrative and operational oversight in a complex, multi-sector environment. The organization operates at the intersection of manufacturing, education and workforce development, and government / public-sector work, with activities that span applied research, federal contracting, and regional economic development.

The role sits on the executive leadership team and works closely with the President, Board, and senior leaders to translate institutional priorities into sustainable financial plans, strong governance, resilient operations, and scalable infrastructure. The ideal executive brings deep manufacturing finance leadership experience, a track record of modernizing finance and administrative operations, and the interpersonal skills to lead change in a deliberate, highly stakeholdered environment.

Success in the role depends on sound judgement, enterprise-level perspective, and the ability to turn complex financial and operational information into practical decisions that strengthen performance over time. The EVP will also play a key role in mentoring and developing existing finance leadership, building a strong pipeline for the organization’s long-term financial stewardship.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the President and Board on financial performance, organizational risk, investment priorities, and long-range planning across manufacturing, education/workforce, government, and grant-funded activities.

• Lead enterprise-wide financial strategy across budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, investment oversight, reporting, internal controls, and compliance.

• Modernize finance and administration operations, moving from paper-heavy, manual processes to more efficient, technology-enabled workflows (e.g., electronic approvals, digital expense reporting, and streamlined documentation).

• Provide executive oversight for administrative and shared-service functions, including grants and contracts, institutional advancement, process improvement, and other assigned areas.

• Lead process improvement efforts across finance and administration, and, over time, build and oversee a dedicated process improvement function that strengthens systems, processes, and cross-functional execution.

• Align resource allocation and operating decisions with strategic priorities, program needs, and organizational growth opportunities across a diverse portfolio of initiatives.

• Operate effectively within public-sector style governance and procurement requirements, ensuring that innovation and modernization efforts remain compliant with applicable regulations and policies.

• Strengthen accountability, transparency, and resilience across a complex mix of public, private, federal, and philanthropic funding activity.

• Partner with division and department leaders to improve systems, processes, and shared services, positioning finance and administration as a responsive, service-oriented partner.

• Mentor and develop existing finance leaders, supporting their growth, expanding their strategic exposure, and building succession strength within the function.

• Build and lead high-performing teams that support innovation, professional growth, and excellent internal service.

• Represent the organization with funding agencies, financial institutions, government stakeholders, community partners, and other external constituencies, including those in the manufacturing and education ecosystems.

What success looks like

• Financial strategy and day-to-day stewardship consistently support mission priorities, sustainable growth, and the needs of manufacturing, education/workforce, and government-related operations.

• Executive and board stakeholders receive clear, credible financial insight that improves decision-making, with a strong understanding of trade-offs across multiple funding streams and business lines.

• Governance, compliance, and control environments remain strong across state, federal, and grant-related requirements, while enabling practical, timely operations.

• Finance and administrative processes are noticeably more modern, digital, and efficient, with reduced manual work, streamlined approvals, and improved service to internal partners.

• A dedicated or de facto process improvement capability is in place, with visible progress on cross-functional projects that simplify workflows and enhance accountability.

• Teams operate with greater clarity, accountability, and shared ownership of results, supported by clear performance expectations and well-designed processes.

• Existing finance leaders are developing in scope, confidence, and strategic contribution, with stronger succession options over time.

• The EVP is viewed as a trusted, relationship-driven leader who can balance patience with urgency—respecting the organization’s context while creating momentum for improvement.

Required skills

• Manufacturing finance leadership: Significant experience in manufacturing finance at the plant, division, or enterprise level, with responsibility for operational performance, capital decisions, and strategic planning.

• CFO-level or senior finance executive experience: Able to operate as the top financial strategist for a complex organization, even when title structures differ.

• Finance and operations modernization: Demonstrated success modernizing finance and administrative functions, including implementing new systems, technology-enabled workflows (e.g., electronic approvals, digital expense, and contracting tools), and more efficient processes.

• Process improvement and continuous improvement: Able to evaluate current-state practices, identify root causes of inefficiency, design improved workflows, and lead implementation in partnership with cross-functional teams.

• Budgeting and forecasting: Able to lead enterprise planning cycles, translate strategy into annual and multi-year financial plans, and guide resource allocation decisions across the organization.

• Cash flow management: Brings strong command of liquidity planning and financial stewardship in an environment where operational stability and long-range sustainability both matter.

• Investment strategy: Comfortable advising senior leadership and the Board on investment-related decisions that support treasury management, long-term planning, and institutional resilience.

• Grant and contract compliance: Able to lead financial oversight in grant-funded and government-funded operations, with attention to contractual obligations, reporting expectations, and stewardship of restricted funds.

• GAAP and nonprofit-style accounting discipline: Applies sound accounting standards to executive-level financial leadership, reporting, and governance oversight.

• Internal controls: Can strengthen control environments, safeguard accountability, and support transparent decision-making across a complex organization.

• Financial reporting: Produces and interprets board-ready and executive-ready reporting that informs planning, governance, and performance management.

• Operating in regulated / public-sector environments: Experience working within policy-driven, highly scrutinized, or quasi-governmental settings where procurement, compliance, and governance requirements shape financial decisions.

• Team leadership and development: Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop finance and administrative teams, including leaders who are growing into broader strategic roles.

Preferred skills

• Experience advising a President, CEO, executive team, or Board on consequential financial and strategic trade-offs in a manufacturing-intensive context.

• Experience operating in a mission-driven, public-serving, or highly stakeholdered environment (e.g., quasi-public, governmental, or nonprofit) where governance and public trust matter.

• Exposure to education, workforce development, or research-oriented organizations, particularly those working in partnership with government and industry.

• Experience working across multiple funding sources, including grants, contracts, or government-related funding structures, and integrating them into a coherent financial strategy.

• Experience supporting organizational growth, capital decisions, or major initiatives that require both strategic planning and disciplined execution.

• Experience leading cross-functional improvement work that strengthens systems, processes, and operational effectiveness at enterprise scale.

• Prior leadership in environments where change must be achieved through influence, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement rather than top-down authority alone.

Executive leadership competencies

The EVP, Finance & Administration will demonstrate the following executive leadership competencies and associated behavioral signals:

• Executive presence and communication: You distill complex financial and operational issues into clear, context-aware narratives for board members, executives, staff, and external partners. You adapt your communication style and level of detail to your audience, anticipate likely questions, and use data, scenarios, and plain language to support sound decisions.

• Influence and persuasion: You build alignment around resource decisions, risk trade-offs, and strategic priorities, even when interests compete. You listen actively to stakeholders, surface constraints and trade-offs transparently, and co-create options that balance mission, financial discipline, and long-term institutional health.

• Patience with urgency: You recognize that decision-making in a political-subdivision or quasi-public environment can be deliberate and process-heavy, yet you still create forward movement. You introduce change at a sustainable pace, maintain respect for governance requirements, and help others see the benefits of more efficient, modernized ways of working.

• Relationship-driven change leadership: You build trust with existing leaders and teams, including those who may have different expectations about roles and responsibilities. You navigate sensitive dynamics with discretion and emotional intelligence, and you prioritize long-term relationships over short-term wins.

• Ownership mindset: You take end-to-end responsibility for financial stewardship, administrative leadership, and the operational health of the enterprise. You proactively identify issues and opportunities, anticipate downstream implications of major decisions, and follow through to ensure that commitments, controls, and process changes are fully implemented.

• Cross-functional collaboration: You work effectively across divisions and shared services, bringing clarity and progress in a matrixed environment. You seek input from program, operations, and administrative leaders early, convene the right stakeholders to resolve issues, and translate financial considerations into practical operational choices.

• Strategic mentorship and team development: You invest in the growth of current finance and administrative leaders, expanding their strategic exposure and decision-making responsibility over time. You see leadership development and succession strength as part of your mandate.

• Resilience and change leadership: You maintain composure and judgement under scrutiny, adapt to shifting priorities, and help teams stay focused through complexity and change. You frame change in terms of mission and long-term value, create space for learning and iteration, and model the calm, steady leadership needed during periods of uncertainty.

• Community engagement and representation: You are visible and engaged in the local community, build relationships with regional partners, and represent the organization’s mission and impact with credibility and enthusiasm.

Operating environment

This is a full-time executive leadership role in a complex organization with a mix of strategic planning, operational oversight, compliance discipline, and stakeholder engagement. The organization functions as a political subdivision or quasi-public entity, with financial processes that must comply with state policies, procurement requirements, and other regulatory expectations.

The role operates in close partnership with senior leaders and external parties, with regular exposure to board-level discussion, funding relationships, manufacturing and education partners, and organization-wide decision-making. The environment calls for analytical rigor, discretion, strong judgement, and the ability to balance immediate operational needs with long-term institutional priorities. Leaders who thrive here are comfortable working through formal processes and stakeholder input while still moving the organization toward more modern, efficient practices.

Interfaces & Governance

Key internal relationships are likely to include the President, Board of Directors, executive peers, division and department leaders, grants and contracts teams, institutional advancement, and other shared-service leaders.

The role is expected to oversee a finance and administration leadership team that may include:

• A finance leader responsible for financial accounting, reporting, and existing finance operations.

• A leader focused on strategic initiatives, new programs, project budgets, indirect costs, and financial planning.

• Institutional advancement leadership responsible for identifying funding opportunities, grants, contracts, and other revenue sources.

• Grants and contracts leadership focused on reviewing agreements, ensuring appropriate language, and maintaining compliance.

• A dedicated process improvement function as it is developed over time.

The role carries significant responsibility for financial stewardship, internal controls, regulatory and contractual compliance, fiduciary discipline, risk management, and transparent reporting. It also helps ensure that systems, policies, and decision processes support accountability across the organisation, while enabling practical, responsive service to internal and external stakeholders.

Employee value proposition

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 regional economic advancement. As EVP, Finance & Administration, you have a broad scope of influence, shaping financial strategy, administrative operations, and institutional growth initiatives that have a lasting impact across the region.

The opportunity is particularly compelling for an accomplished manufacturing finance executive who is energized by:

• Applying significant private-sector and manufacturing experience in a mission-driven, public-serving context.

• Modernizing finance and administrative operations and leading meaningful process improvement.

• Mentoring and developing future financial leaders.

• Building relationships in the local community and serving as a visible ambassador for the organization’s work.

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 the organisation's mission.

• Opportunity to shape financial strategy, process improvement, and administrative leadership at enterprise level.

• Visible executive role with direct impact on mission delivery, organizational sustainability, and long-term growth across manufacturing, education, and government-related work.

• Benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision options, retirement support, employer-paid life insurance, and a range of paid leave options.

• Additional support may include relocation flexibility and temporary housing assistance, depending on final arrangements.