Job Summary:

University Research Park, Inc. (URP) is an affiliated organization of the the University of Wisconsin-Madison supporting the university's research, education, and economic mission. URP functions primarily as a mission-driven real estate organization and strives to facilitate the advancement and commercialization of research, science, and new technology. URP seeks to deepen university and industry ties and to foster job creation and entrepreneurship in the spirit of the Wisconsin Idea. With a self-generated budget of approximately $25 million a year, URP is one of the predominant real estate players in the Madison area and specializes in science and lab facilities that often require capital-intensity, specialized build-outs, and speculative development. URP?s financial condition is strong and URP corporately owns a portfolio including 1.2 million square feet of lab/office buildings, 200 acres of undeveloped land, and 17 ground leases. URP works closely with UW-Madison and related entities such as the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) on issues related to real estate, entrepreneurship, and economic development. URP is unique in its coupling of private sector nimbleness with the spirit of a public service-oriented non-profit.

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Chief Financial Officer leads URP's accounting and finance operations and supervises a team of three professionals. The finance and accounting team is the backbone of the organization and touches all aspects including real estate development, property management, leasing and rent collection, finance and debt, insurance, and operations.

To learn more about University Research Park visit https://universityresearchpark.org/

Responsibilities: Plans, develops, and implements financial strategic goals, priorities, policies, and procedures across multiple finance functional areas to ensure efficient financial resource deployment. Develops budgets, manages automated accounting systems, and provides consultation to administrative units to encourage the use of best practices for compliant, efficient reporting.

10% Directs strategic planning initiatives and establishes objectives for multiple finance functional areas to ensure appropriate use of financial, administrative, and staffing resources and alignment with the strategic plan
5% Determines personnel needs and the personnel resource allocation plan
10% Oversees, reviews, develops, recommends, and implements policies and procedures for internal and external financial reporting, budgeting and financial operations
20% Participates in the development, maintenance, and monitoring of automated financial information systems and budgets, and disseminates updates and results to leadership when appropriate
15% Serves as a divisional representative and subject matter expert to institutional leadership and internal and external stakeholders providing financial direction and information, fostering collaborative relationships across multiple functional areas, and representing the interests of the division
20% Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
10% Manages specialized real estate-related financial issues including pass-through costs, ground lease payments, and other lease-related charges or payments
10% Oversees and supports annual financial audit by outside audit firm

Tasks:

Oversee, manage, and work hands-on in accounting functions for a non-profit real estate-oriented corporation including general ledger accounting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, journal entries, trial balances, etc.
Direct the preparation of unaudited financial reports and statements periodically and present them to the staff and Board of Trustees
Attend and staff the Board of Trustees meetings and leadership team meetings
Participate in management meetings and participate in decisions regarding debt, financing, real estate development, investment activities, insurance, and support management decisions with expertise, data, and/or analysis
Review opportunities for accounting or other software needs (in consultation with team) and make recommendations for new capabilities or systems
Maintain and update the rent roll for URP properties and buildings and monitor rent collection
Develop and implement Park's financial policies, procedures and standards used in accounting, auditing, financial report and related financial management, ensuring compliance with federal and state rules and regulations
Interpret GAAP and other accounting standards and establish accounting policies and procedures or develop chart of accounts
Lead the preparation of revenue projections and draft annual budget
Estimate and administer CAM/expenses for URP?s portfolio of mostly triple-net leased buildings
Coordinate with UW-Madison and other vendors on IT and HR services
Assist in administering ground leases maintaining compliance with terms, collecting revenue, calculating annual or periodic adjustments, and assisting in re-appraisals defined in ground leases
Support development by working to secure debt, equity, grant or other financing and overseeing draw requests and working with URP staff, owner's representatives, contractors, title companies, and lenders
Function as budget and accounting liaison with UW-Madison. Maintain compliance with UW-Madison budget account and ensure payments to UW-Madison/System to cover salary, payroll, IT, and contractual debt obligations
Lead staff for Investment Committee, providing periodic investment portfolio updates to committee members and working with committee, Managing Director, and outside investment managers to oversee investment portfolio management
Oversee contract systems and ensure invoices are paid in a timely fashion with proper documentation, including debt service payments
Procure insurance and lead periodic reviews of coverage and lease requirements
Monitor URP's bank accounts, working capital, and manage cash to ensure adequate liquidity

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Education:

Preferred

Bachelor's Degree

Qualifications:

Proven experience in a senior-level role, demonstrating advanced expertise and leadership capabilities
Accounting background with knowledge of general ledger accounting and familiarity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) relevant to business operations.
Real estate experience is highly desirable, particularly familiar with leasing, property management, and real estate finance.
Highly organized, detail-oriented accounting skills with an executive-level ability to clarify complex real-estate issues to inform and guide strategic and operational decisions.
Demonstrated judgment, experience, and initiative to work independently, as well as the communication and leadership skills to manage a small team and collaborate effectively within a larger group.
Experience collaborating with external audit firms during audits.
Background in public accounting, ideally with a CPA credential.
Familiarity with SKYLINE property management software is desired.

License/Certification:

Preferred

CPA - Certified Public Accountant

Work Type:

Full Time: 100%

This is primarily an in-person position with frequent team interactions. Flexibility for occasional remote work is available to promote work-life balance, and requirements for in-person vs. remote work will be discussed during the interview process. Our office is located at 505 S. Rosa Road, Madison, WI.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Ongoing/Renewable

Salary:

Minimum $150,000 ANNUAL (12 months)

Depending On Qualifications

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced insurance plans, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. Learn more at https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/.

Additional Information:

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of hire.

How to Apply:

Please click the 'Apply Now' button above to begin. Once you have created a UW Jobs profile, you will be asked to upload a cover letter and resume which highlight your experience, knowledge, and skills.

References will be collected from candidates later in our recruitment process. We will not contact references without informing you first.

To ensure full consideration, please apply by February 23, 2025. This position will remain open until filled.

Contact:

Kory Breuer

kory.breuer@wisc.edu

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Official Title:

Finance Director (B)(FN033)

Department(s):

A02-GENERAL SERVICES/UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PARK/G SERV/UNIV RSCH PARK

Employment Class:

Limited

Job Number:

310696-LI

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, click here

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

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University Research Park Chief Financial Officer