Chief Finance & Administrative Officer at Southern Research

Chief Finance & Administrative Officer 

General Summary

The Chief Finance & Administrative Officer (CFAO) is a key strategic partner and advisor to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Executive Leadership Team (ELT), and Board, leading the financial and administrative operations strategy. The CFAO oversees all financial matters, including financial planning, strategy, cash management, banking, financial controls, and accounting. This role also includes setting and implementing the administrative operations strategy for the organization. 

The CFAO is responsible for overseeing a significant budget and directly supervises a team of finance and accounting professionals. The role involves regular interaction with the Board of Directors and the Board's Executive, Finance, and Audit Committees, and presenting financials at quarterly board meetings. 

The CFAO also provides the leadership, management, and vision necessary to ensure that the organization has the proper operating systems and operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and people systems in place to grow the organization and ensure financial strength and operating efficiency. The CFAO oversees functions that include Facilities, Procurement, Compliance, Grants and Contracts, Human Resources and Information Technology. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Partner with the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to assess organizational performance against both the annual budget and CEO's long-term strategy; provide strategic recommendations based on financial analysis and projections, cost identification and allocation, and revenue/expense analysis; make actionable recommendations on both financial strategy and operations.
• Oversee long-term budgetary planning in alignment with the strategic plan; identify opportunities for revenue enhancement, asset management, and cost controls as the organization grows and collaborates with key city, state and federal government partners.
• Report to CEO and Board's Finance Committees around the annual budget, audit and longer-term financial strategy. Generate reports and develop tools to provide critical financial and operational information to the CEO, ELT and Board.
• Communicate and collaborate with all members of the Executive Leadership Team on a regular basis for the purposes of understanding the programming, the trends, the challenges and opportunities facing SR to develop detailed and robust financial planning models and tools. 
• Lead with an eye to continuously develop and improve systems. Assess systems, policies and processes and oversee streamlining and optimization of enterprise-wide financial policies and procedures to increase efficiency across the organization. 
• Optimize relationships with financial institutions and key partners to implement appropriate strategies to enhance cash positions.
• Ensure a strong system of oversight and administration of all funding sources including government grants, institutional awards, along with contracts for all clients, customers, and sponsors support through accurate and detailed record keeping and grant and contract reporting.
• Coordinate and lead the annual financial statement audit process, as well as the governmental Single Audit and 401k audits, liaise with external and internal auditors and the finance committee of the board of directors; assess and implement any necessary systems and reporting changes; oversee annual 990 filing and other tax related regulatory requirements.
• Oversee the preparation and approval of all financial reporting materials and metrics for funding organizations and the board of directors; prepare and communicate monthly and annual financial statements.
• Collaborate with the members of the senior management team to develop and implement short- and long-term plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, processes and policies that support operational and fiscal effectiveness and efficiency. 
• Support and empower IT professionals (in-house and/or outsourced) to ensure effective use of Information Technology systems to support fundraising, programs, and organizational business processes, including participant scheduling, document management, client relationships management (CRM), event support, and grant management systems. 
• Leverage Information Technology to support core business initiatives. Establish and maintain budget/cost management for IT. Oversee the implementation, including regular upgrades, of the IT infrastructure.
• Maintain a safe, engaging and healthy work environment
• Responsible for reviewing, developing, implementing and communicating policies and procedures for compliance, internal controls, operational integrity, and efficiency; Ensure company policies and procedures are followed by each department.
• Serve as a key management liaison to the board and especially the finance committee. Report and share information with the board of directors to ensure they are kept fully informed on the condition of the organization and important factors influencing it.
• Provide analytical support to the ELT including development of management reporting capabilities to enable data-driven decision-making with organized, visual, timely and accurate data This includes producing an accurate, dynamic revenue and budget forecast.
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and commitment to quality.
• Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach: assign deliverables; set objectives; establish priorities; and monitor and evaluate results while holding staff accountable to outcomes.
• Set goals, monitor work, and evaluate results to ensure that departmental and organizational objectives and operating requirements are met and are in line with the needs and mission of the organization.
• Preside over all non-scientific operations and administrative services, attracting, developing, and motivating staff.  Ensure highly productive relationships and partnerships for the benefit of the organization.
• Work with executive leadership, accounting, and finance teams to prepare financial statements and prepare audits for external auditors and the finance committee
• Champion a culture of precise execution and continuous improvement with a focus on modernizing technical infrastructure, improving administrative and operational accounting services, and enabling SR to achieve its mission, serve customers, and drive revenue
• Identify and implement technological systems that enable SR to achieve its mission, serve customers, and drive revenue
• Work alongside community leaders, executive directors, major donors/funders, government officials, and senior staff/board members. 

Requirements/Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline and 10 -15 years' experience in a senior management role.
• Familiarity with nonprofit finance and accounting regulations, as well as the contract research industry.
• Fiscal management experience.
• Superior management skills; ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers.
• Demonstrated leadership.
• Proven track record of success facilitating progressive organizational change and development within a growing organization.
• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills including negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to operate as an effective tactical as well as strategic thinker.  Ability to effectively delegate and maintain a “big picture” strategic view.
• Self-reliant, good problem solver, results oriented.
• Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive; a team leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical finance and administration initiatives.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with senior management, board of directors, and staff.
• Ability to translate policies into daily routine operations.
• Familiarity with reporting for government grants and contracts and its associated regulations.
• Effective in change management, especially in aligning professional and supportive services with revenue generating activities.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to set, measure, and reach objective outcomes aligned with organizational goals
• Coaches, mentors, and develops staff, while holding them accountable to clear goals 

Core Values

Cultivating human connection – putting people first.  We know that every individual makes a difference and that no one can do it alone.  We believe the world's most powerful resource is human potential.  We are an inclusive and courageous team where innovation and diversity of thought go hand in hand.  We understand that relationships move at the speed of trust.

Operating with precise execution – measuring what matters and owning results as a team.  We leverage data to drive decisions that advance science.  We recognize the importance of a stable foundation coupled with an agile mindset.  We hold ourselves accountable and take pride in our work.  We give and receive candid feedback as a gift that keeps us growing.

Harnessing relentless curiosity – our unstoppable, innovative force.  We are driven to ask sharp questions and push the boundaries of knowledge.  We use creativity and critical thinking as catalysts for finding solutions that change lives.  We learn by doing, consistently striving to improve our relationships, training, methodologies, questions and results.

Stewarding a healthy community – implementing sustainable operations for a safe, engaging environment.  We don't compromise on safety and health for our employees, customers or community.  We believe a healthy community begins with inclusive economic opportunities.  We respect the dignity of the patients we ultimately serve.  We are motivated to serve communities that are underserved and markets that are overlooked.

 Job Specific Behaviors

Strategic Decision Making – Obtains information and identifies key issues relevant to achieving a long-range goal; commits to a course of action after developing alternatives based on logical assumptions, facts, constraints and resources.

Operational / Technical Excellence - Ensures that work product (whether service or process) enables the organization to deliver on customer's expectations.

Builds Strategic Relationships - Uses appropriate interpersonal styles to work effectively with others to meet mutual goals and objectives; understands the role & interrelationships of each organizational function.  Possesses skill in managing across functional and organizational lines.

Communicates with Impact - Expresses thoughts and ideas effectively in individual and group situations; adjusts language to the needs of the audience.

Drives for Results - Establishes stretch goals and manages to focus outcomes.  Demands excellence.  Demonstrates a strong commitment to organizational success; works to do what is best for all stakeholders.

Builds and Maintains Winning Teamwork - Creates a climate of teamwork to achieve objectives, taking advantage of our diversity; creates a sense of ownership and encourages individuals to stretch beyond their own capabilities.

Coaches / Develops Others - Selects for talent.  Sets expectations and provides clear and timely feedback.  Motivates, develops self and others to foster a learning environment and openly shares information that would guide others. Uses appropriate interpersonal style to guide direct reports to action.  Selects for talent, sets expectations, provides clear feedback, motivates, develops self and others; fosters a learning environment; recognizes performance success.

Business Knowledge - Maintains external awareness of technology or business sectors; supplies knowledge of Institute's culture, business processes and tools to achieve goals.

 Physical Demands

• This position is required to work in an office setting using a computer for extended periods of time.
• Personal involvement and exposure, including travel, to other locations is required.
• This position may also include entry to laboratory or workspace areas that will require use of appropriate PPE.

 Certifications, Licenses & Registrations

• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a top-secret clearance required