Chief Financial Officer

Job Type

Position Classification Title: Chief Financial Officer

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Salary: $225,000-$260,000 plus incentive compensation, excellent benefits, and relocation bonus (if applicable)

About Us:

The New Mexico State University Foundation invites you to apply to join our diverse, dynamic, and welcoming team in Las Cruces, NM. The NMSU Foundation seeks to provide the pinnacle career experience for each member of our team. The Foundation is seeking talented individuals who are passionate about the mission of NMSU and committed to a continual pursuit of excellence. We build strong relationships with alumni, supporters, NMSU partners, and each other, while personifying our core values of integrity, teamwork, stewardship, innovation, and fun.

We offer a highly competitive salary including incentive compensation, an industry-leading benefits package, and a fun and fulfilling work environment. Qualified individuals with a high level of energy who are looking for a work environment that nurtures vision, performance, productivity, superior quality, and unsurpassed integrity are encouraged to apply for this career opportunity.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer is responsible for directing the comprehensive financial activities for the New Mexico State University Foundation. This position leads the development and implementation of sound financial policies and procedures, works with external auditors and the OCIO, and coordinates the fiscal year end audits and tax preparation.

Furthermore, the CFO routinely presents to the Board of Directors and the various committees on the financial health of the Foundation and its various investments. The CFO directly manages the Foundation’s Accounting, Finance, Gift Administration, and IT departments and is responsible for ensuring the quality and timeliness of financial and accounting management throughout the Foundation and compliance with Foundation policy, GAAP accounting standards and state/federal laws and regulations.

The CFO develops and maintains internal controls and best practices to ensure quality of data entry and reporting and safeguard fiscal resources. The position provides direct oversight of budgeting, accounting, financial reporting and analysis, capital asset administration, cash flow planning, debt issuance, account reconciliation, accounting systems, accounts receivable, accounts payable, tax compliance, procurement, Form 990, audit, and payroll.

Essential Functions:

• Oversees financial reporting and financial internal control operations of the Foundation to safeguard assets, accounting principles and practices necessary to ensure adequate internal and accounting controls and supports the Foundation in meeting its financial and strategic objectives.
• Oversees the coordination of the annual audit of the independent CPA firm and oversees the completion of the financial statements and footnotes, supporting schedules and analyses, and ensures auditors are provided with all requested documentation, as required.
• Ensures compliance with a variety of externally imposed financial recording and reporting regulations and specifically oversees the preparation and accurate reporting of all required federal and state tax returns.
• Develops and maintains the Foundation’s financial accounting system to account for the receipt and expenditure of all funds and to report operating results to the Foundation leadership and external partners. Maintains the chart of accounts, including the determination of proper classification of accounts.
• Design financial management procedures, policies, and business practices to achieve: 1) effectiveness and efficiency of operations, 2) compliance with laws and regulations, and 3) reliability of financial reporting.
• Develop and prepare timely, accurate and robust financial reports for the Foundation and our Partners including budgets, forecasts with variance analysis, financial statements and analysis, audit reports, and internal/external management reports.
• Partner with the Foundation’s Outsourced Chief Investment Officer to integrate cash management practices and investment strategies to maximize cash flow and return on investments.
• Ensure an effective level of communication between the Foundation Board and executive leadership and accounting/finance staff to ensure transparency in financial operations.
• Hire, train, supervise and evaluate the Accounting, Finance, Gift Administration, and IT departments and staff and provide leadership and direction to the personnel reporting to the CFO including establishing goals and objectives and creating a culture of transparency and timely communication.
• Partner with the University to ensure current funds are appropriately and timely used.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Required Education, Knowledge, Experience & Certification/License:

• This position requires poise, presence, and strong interpersonal skills to interact with a variety of constituents and stakeholders, and to establish productive working relationships with other senior administrative leaders, deans, faculty, staff, and students.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance. Master’s degree preferred.
• Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license required.
• 10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience and management in higher education foundations or similar institutions.
• Knowledge of accounting standards related to higher education foundations and federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Extensive knowledge of Treasury and investment functions.
• Experience envisioning and implementing transformational change, with the ability to think strategically and implement discipline in accounting processes to ensure sound financial reporting, and to analyze new opportunities.
• Must have the ability to build, nurture, and retain a strong team of professionals.
• Represent the Foundation at professional organizations, conferences, and Foundation-sponsored functions.
• Possess excellent problem solving, analytical and business skills, and strong project management skills to meet deadlines and work effectively with others.
• An energetic, well-grounded, innovative, service-oriented personality and calculated risk taker with a bias for action, a record of setting and surpassing objectives, and the proven “can do” attitude and drive to execute strategies and produce results beyond expectations.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 20 lbs.
• Must be able to talk, listen and speak clearly on telephone.

Interested candidates  can email Samantha Greenbaum, Recruiting Consultant at samantha.harris@nmsufoundation.org or apply directly through our Career Page