The Chief Finance Officer functions as the strategic business leader for all financial aspects related to the East Coast Zoological Foundation (ECZF), to include the Brevard Zoo campus and planning for and opening of the future Bowen Aquarium campus. This position is responsible for providing financial opinions based on past and present data, crafting the financial model for short and long-term planning, directing all financial functions in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and in support of ECZF’s mission and goals.
Responsibilities
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Strategic Planning
• Develop, oversee, and prepare the ECZF annual operating and capital budgets process with assistance from the Executive Leadership Team and input from the Board of Directors. • Prepare and assist with updating the Aquarium financial model for short and long-term planning purposes.
• Develop and monitor capital expenditures.
• Provide recommendations to strategically enhance financial performance and business opportunities in all aspects of the ECZF.
• Analyze, evaluate, and advise on the impact of revenue trends, long-range planning, forecasting and the introduction of new programs, ROI, strategies, and regulatory action along with revenue optimization.
• Strategic thinker with proven ability to align financial strategies with organizational mission.
• Mentor and develop finance department staff.
• Serves as Advisor to the Board of Director’s Finance/Audit Committee.
Executive Leadership Relations
• Support the Executive Leadership team by providing the information they need to effectively manage their budgets.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with the Executive Leadership Team to identify their needs and seek full range of business solutions.
• Maintain positive relationships with bankers, auditors, vendors, and city/county representatives, and work with financial institutions to secure and maintain lines of credit or other resources as needed.
Financial Operations
• Direct and oversee all aspects of the Finance & Accounting functions of the organization.
• Manage the external audit process and produce the audited financial statements as well as implement auditor recommendations.
• Complete all requests for reimbursement and/or appropriation of sales tax funds. Submit the appropriate application and data to the Tax Authority administrator.
•Provide all necessary information for receipt of grants.
• Prepare a variety of financial reports including monthly financial statements, capital project reports, operational reports, and others as needed. Examine and analyze all financial documents for potential errors and trends in revenues and expenses.
• Ensure timely reporting of financial information to the CEO, Board of Directors, Finance Committee, and other representatives as appropriate.
• Oversee applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations for financial and tax reporting.
• Manage payroll and assist with the implementation of wage and hour regulations.
• Oversee the accounting of restricted donations and appropriations from private and public sources.
• Develop metrics for measuring financial performance across all ECZS operations.
• Maintain proper cash management procedures and optimize cash flow.
• Monitor budget variances and implement corrective actions as necessary.
• Manage and oversee new loans and financing for the future Bowen Aquarium
Qualifications
• Master’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum ten (10) years’ progressive accounting and financial experience. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to tailor both written and verbal communication and messaging to various groups including Executive Leadership, Senior Staff, employees, Board of Directors, and external business partners.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and use data to inform decision-making.
• Ability to be flexible, handle a variety of tasks, and manage multiple tasks.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and computerized financial systems.
• Strong planning, analytical, and decision-making skills are required, with the ability to work in a dynamic, evolving organization.
• Demonstrates motivational and problem-solving acumen with a high degree of integrity and ethics.
• Knowledge of Federal and Florida Law pertaining to financial systems.
• Ability to meet established deadlines
