CHESS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Search

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Leadership
  • Lead and manage a cross-functional shared services team providing finance, HR, payroll, and student information services to consortium members
  • Develop and implement best practices for shared services operations in alignment with higher education policies and regulatory requirements
  • Serve as a key liaison between consortium member institutions, ensuring alignment of shared services goals with institutional needs
  • Promote a culture of continuous improvement, efficiency, and customer service within the shared services team
  • Monitor and evaluate shared services performance through key performance indicators (KPIs) and service-level agreements (SLAs)

• Operational Management
  • Oversee the effective delivery of key services (finance, HR, payroll, student information) across member institutions, ensuring service standards are met and customer satisfaction is maintained including establishing Service Level Agreements and Key Performance Indicators
  • Drive the alignment and optimization of CHESS and institutional processes to maximize efficiency, consistency, and service quality
  • Lead the implementation of a tiered support model, ensuring issues are appropriately escalated and resolved to maintain high service levels
  • Ensure compliance with relevant regulations including institutional, federal, and state (e.g. Title IV financial aid, IRS payroll, FLSA labor laws, FERPA student privacy standards), while working with institutional partners to create policies that balance efficiency and local requirements
  • Oversee and streamline operations by leveraging systems like Workday technology, automation, ensuring data integrity, security, and effective use across shared services
  • Foster a culture of continuous and dynamic improvement by leveraging technology and feedback to streamline operations and adapt to evolving needs

• Financial Oversight & Sustainability
  • Develop and execute a long-term financial strategy for sustainability and scalability
  • Align financial goals with the organization’s growth, service quality, and cost efficiency

• Budgeting & Financial Performance Management
  • Oversee budget development, forecasting, financial reporting including financial audits risk assessments, and internal controls to safeguard assets
  • Monitor revenue streams, institutional contributions, and expenditure trends to maintain fiscal stability
  • Ensure financial transparency and accountability in collaboration with the CFO and Board of Directors
  • Review and establish cost-sharing models that equitably distribute expenses among member institutions

• Funding Development and Revenue Diversification
  • Secure government appropriations, grants, and private-sector partnerships to supplement member contributions
  • Develop alternative revenue models, including fee-based services and consulting opportunities
  • Expand institutional membership to broaden the financial base and improve economies of scale

• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with leaders across member institutions to understand their needs and ensure shared service alignment
  • Develop and deliver training programs for institutional staff to promote effective use of shared services
  • Facilitate governance meetings, working groups, and advisory committees to gather input and refine shared services strategies
  • Provide regular reports on shared services performance, system utilization, and process improvements to leadership
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with college stakeholders, industry partners, and higher education policy makers
  • Represent CHESS at conferences, meetings, and industry events

• Team Leadership
  • Lead the CHESS organization, ensuring that all staff embody the CHESS mission and vision in conducting their work
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability
  • Promote a safe, ethical, and compliant workplace environment

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree (Additional experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis) 
• Experience in environments delivering shared service, third-party services, or vendor management including managing external vendors or internal centralized functions, overseeing service delivery, and ensuring quality and efficiency across diverse sectors
• Five years of progressive leadership managing large, cross-functional teams or projects and influencing senior-level management and key stakeholders
• Strong financial acumen with experience in managing cost models, including budgeting, cost allocation, and financial mechanisms related to service delivery, or demonstrable transferable skills in managing financial processes, chargebacks, or cost recovery mechanisms
• A track record of success in organizational development (functional and technological), particularly in scaling operations and building infrastructure
• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to balance short-term needs and long-term goals
• Experience managing and growing teams, with a focus on creating a supportive, high-performance culture
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written, verbal, presentation, negotiation), including the ability to engage and influence individuals including college leaders, funders, government agencies, and team members at all levels within the organization

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s degree
• Higher education experience
• Experience leading and managing teams in a remote environment or demonstrated success in overseeing a remote workforce or organization

About CHESS

CHESS is organized as a New Mexico nonprofit corporation formed to support the educational mission of its member colleges and universities. It is operating exclusively for charitable, educational, scientific, and literary purposes in accordance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. CHESS is governed by a Board of Directors made up of the presidents of each participating higher education institution. CHESS received its Certificate of Incorporation from the New Mexico Secretary of State on March 3, 2021. The CHESS Board, in consultation with the CEO, sets the strategic direction for the organization, adopts policies to guide the work of the organization, and sets the budget.

TO APPLY

For full consideration, please apply by April 16, 2025.

Please apply through the application link above and do not email applications.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita.
Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions:
Please send to CHESSCEO@acesrch.com

Nominations and referrals:
Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com