The Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation (PBRF) is seeking a dynamic and experienced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with strong leadership skills to join our executive team. Reporting directly to the President/CEO, the CFO will play a pivotal role in managing all accounting, financial, budgeting, investment, tax, and compliance functions. As a key member of the executive team, the CFO will interact with the PBRF Finance-Audit Committee and Board of Directors, ensuring the financial health and sustainability of the foundation.
The CFO will also manage and coordinate essential financial relationships with Pennington Biomedical Research Center (PBRC) leadership and faculty, as well as external financial, audit, banking, legal, insurance, and investment professionals. This role requires a strategic thinker with exceptional financial acumen and a proven track record in fundraising to support the foundation’s mission and growth.
Core Responsibilities
• Strategic Leadership
o Contribute to the development of strategic goals and initiatives, driving overall financial growth and sustainability.
o Collaborate with senior leadership to align financial strategies with organizational goals.
o Provide financial insights and recommendations to support strategic planning and growth
initiatives.
• Accounting, Audit, and Financial Operations
o Ensures accurate, complete, and timely financial reporting for management, Board governance, and external stakeholders.
o Oversee all accounting functions, including general ledger, payroll, accounts payable, and investment allocations, utilizing the Blackbaud Finance Edge accounting system in accordance with FASB and GAAP.
o Prepare all statements, schedules, and related materials for annual external CPA audit engagements, including financial statement audits, LSU Uniform Affiliation Agreement compliance audits, and Louisiana Board of Regents’ compliance audits.
o Reconcile monthly bank accounts and investment statements, and maintain online banking and investment systems.
• Financial Planning, Analysis, and Reporting
o Provide strategic leadership and guidance for the annual financial statement and budgeting process, ensuring alignment with strategic initiatives and long-term organizational planning.
o Conduct financial forecasting and scenario analysis to support decision- making including fundraising activities.
o Prepare detailed financial reports and presentations for the Board and senior management.• Treasury and Investments
o Manage treasury functions, including cash management and banking relationships, and oversee PBRF’s investment portfolios in coordination with the outsourced chief investment officer.
o Serve as liaison with the Outsourced Chief Investment Officer to ensure proper and complete investment performance reporting, policy adherence, and timely and accurate implementation of investment changes across multiple investment pools. Additionally, manage cash flows between treasury and investment accounts.
• Human Resources Management
o Oversee all human resource management activities, including onboarding, payroll, 403(b) retirement plan, employee benefit plans, and the development and maintenance of personnel policies and procedures.
o Serve as co-fiduciary of PBRF’s 403(b) retirement plan, involving investment evaluation/selection, plan monitoring, and compliance reporting.
• Governance
o Serve as the primary Board administrator and finance liaison to the Finance-Audit Committee and Board of Directors.
o Prepare and present financial reports and updates to the Finance-Audit Committee and Board of Directors.
o Oversee the preparation, coordination, and management of gift documents and agreements, ensuring strict adherence to donor directives and intent.
• Compliance and Risk Management
o Lead the enterprise risk management and compliance function, ensuring the safeguarding of PBRF assets and operational effectiveness.
o Manage all relevant federal and state regulatory and tax compliance areas, including the preparation of all required tax forms, such as PBRF’s annual IRS Form 990 and 990-T, annual IRS executive compensation analysis, sales/use tax reporting, and forms associated with various PBRF trusts.
o Manage and monitor PBRF’s compliance with the Funds Management Agreement and Uniform Affiliation Agreement with LSU/PBRC.
o Develop and maintain a comprehensive risk management framework.
o Conduct regular risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies.
• Additional Responsibilities
o Contribute to joint PBRF and PBRC special projects, and additional duties and responsibilities as assigned by the President/CEO, Committee, and Board.
Qualifications
Education/Certification
• Bachelor's Degree: A degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field
• Master's Degree: An MBA or a master's degree in finance or accounting is preferred
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Experience
• 10-15 years of experience in finance, with at least 5 years in a senior financial leadership role
• Experience in the fundraising industry is preferred
• Proven track record of developing and implementing financial strategies that drive organizational growth
Key Skills
• Ability to lead and develop finance teams, and work collaboratively with other senior executives
• Strong strategic planning skills to align financial management with organizational goals
• Expertise in financial analysis, forecasting, and budgeting
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively present financial information to stakeholders
• Proficiency in identifying and mitigating financial risks
• In-depth understanding of regulatory requirements and compliance standards
Additional Qualifications
• Familiarity with financial software and systems, such as Blackbaud Finance Edge
• Experience preparing IRS Forms 990 and 990-T, and knowledge of other not-for-profit tax compliance areas.
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments and evolving business needs
• High level of integrity and ethical standards in financial management
Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation (PBRF) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization
whose mission is to provide the Pennington Biomedical Research Center (PBRC) with vital
funding for nutrition-based research that aims to prevent premature death from chronic
diseases. PBRF is the chief fundraising entity for PBRC which is at the forefront of
discovery and innovation in obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and
dementia research. PBRC’s discoveries have changed the way America eats, exercises, and
ages since 1988. More information on PBRF is available at www.pbrf.org and you can learn
more about PBRC at www.pbrc.edu.
