DEPARTMENT: Finance
REPORTS TO: MLC President
LOCATION: New Ulm, Minnesota
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Exempt (Salary) | 1.00 FTE – Regular Full-time
RANGE: $87,000 – $95,000

SUMMARY

Martin Luther College is seeking a visionary and collaborative financial leader who is passionate about advancing the mission of Christian higher education through strategic financial leadership and exceptional stewardship. The Director of Finance partners with the President and college/synod leaders to shape financial strategy, inform and prioritize operations decisions, and ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the college.

This role is ideal for a forward-thinking finance professional who enjoys balancing strategic planning with operational excellence, translating complex financial information into actionable insights, and building trusted relationships. The successful candidate will foster a culture of partnership, stewardship, responsibility, and an ongoing pursuit of excellence while leading a high-performing Finance team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

  • Shapes the college’s long-term financial strategy in alignment with the college’s mission, strategic priorities, and future direction.
  • Partners with the President and college leaders to provide financial insight, forecasting, and recommendations that support informed strategic decisions.
  • Leads financial planning, including annual budgeting, multi-year forecasting, capital planning, scenario modeling, and long-term sustainability initiatives.
  • Assesses the financial impact and viability of enrollment trends, new initiatives, capital investments, and institutional opportunities.
  • Designs financial metrics, dashboards, and key performance indicators to monitor financial performance, identify emerging trends and risks, and inform planning.

Financial Operations & Stewardship

  • Provides oversight of all financial operations, including but not limited to: general accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, banking, and cash management; financial planning, analysis, managerial, and external reporting; and investments within synodical guidelines.
  • Ensures accurate, timely, and transparent financial reporting in accordance with GAAP and applicable regulations and synodical financial guidelines.
  • Maintains strong internal controls and sound financial policies that safeguard college assets.
  • Oversees mandatory financial audits, tax reporting, insurance programs, financial risk management, and higher-ed compliance reporting in partnership with other key campus/synodical stakeholders.
  • Reviews and approves significant financial commitments, contracts, and business agreements in partnership with other key campus/synodical stakeholders.
  • Leads continuous improvement efforts to enhance financial systems, automate processes, strengthen controls, and improve operational efficiency.

Partnership

  • Serves as a strategic partner to college leaders by providing financial analysis, forecasting, and operational decision support that advance priorities.
  • Lead and mentor the Finance team, fostering growth and development.
  • Strengthens financial acumen across the college by translating complex financial information into a clear and practical understanding.
  • Prepares and presents financial managerial reports for the Governing Board, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), auditors, and other key stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

  • A deep commitment to the mission and core values of WELS and MLC, and an ability to apply that commitment in the performance of daily responsibilities on and off campus.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of progressively responsible financial leadership experience with at least 3 years in a leadership role, preferably in higher education or mission-driven organizations.
  • Experience leading budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and analysis (FP&A), and organizational decision support.

Preferred:

  • Preference may be given to an active member of the WELS or church body in fellowship with the WELS.
  • Master’s degree in a related field, CPA, CMA, or equivalent experience managing small to mid-sized organizations.
  • Knowledge of and support for the undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs offered.
  • Experience in higher education, nonprofit organizations, or similarly complex organizations.

ATTRIBUTES FOR SUCCESS

  • A passion for advancing the mission of MLC and supporting Christian higher education by using financial leadership to strengthen and sustain the preparation of workers for public ministry.
  • Strong analytical and communication skills with the ability to translate financial data into meaningful, accessible insights that support understanding and informed engagement among college leaders.
  • Leads with curiosity, flexibility, and strategic thinking, balancing financial stewardship with long-term planning and sustainability.
  • Maintains high ethical standards, integrity, professional judgment, and discretion.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & BENEFITS

  • This position is full-time, primarily on-site with some travel, irregular hours, evening, and weekend hours.
  • This position requires the use of a personal cell phone with reliable service.
  • This position is Full-time Benefit Eligible. A comprehensive schedule of benefits is available here.

ABOUT US

Martin Luther College (MLC) is the WELS College of Ministry, preparing pastors, teachers, and staff ministers to proclaim the truth of the Holy Scriptures in churches, schools, and other institutions. MLC serves about 600
on-campus students and almost 1,000 online students. Located on a beautiful wooded hill, the 100-acre campus overlooks the city of New Ulm, Minnesota. MLC offers the charm of a small town with easy access to larger cities—just 25 miles from Mankato and 90 miles from Minneapolis/St. Paul.

APPLY ONLINE

Click this link to apply online

Applications are accepted until the position is filled.

Direct all inquiries to Human Resources
507-354-8221
hr@mlc-wels.edu