St. Croix Health is seeking a strategic and collaborative Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join its executive leadership team. This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished financial leader to play a key role in advancing the long-term success of a mission-driven healthcare organization while making a meaningful impact on the communities it serves.
St. Croix Regional Health is a community-based critical access hospital serving residents throughout northwestern Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. Dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible healthcare close to home, St. Croix Health combines clinical excellence with a strong commitment to the patients, families, and communities it proudly serves.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and working closely with the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees, the CFO provides executive leadership for all financial operations of St. Croix Health. The position is responsible for the planning, implementation, management, and oversight of all finance-related activities, including business strategy, financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and negotiations. The CFO leads the organization's financial management systems and safeguards its assets while overseeing external financial reporting, managerial accounting, treasury, budgeting, audit activities, tax compliance, internal controls, and asset management. In addition, the CFO serves as a key strategic advisor to executive leadership and represents St. Croix Health on boards, committees, and affiliated organizations, helping to strengthen partnerships and advance the organization's mission and long-term sustainability.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Leadership
- Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, providing financial guidance and strategic insight to support organizational decision-making.
- Partner with the President/CEO and senior leadership to develop and execute long-term business strategies, financial plans, and organizational priorities.
- Lead the financial components of the strategic planning process, including forecasting, goal setting, growth initiatives, and capital planning.
- Evaluate economic, industry, and market trends and assess their impact on organizational performance, reimbursement, and future growth opportunities.
- Present financial analyses, reports, and recommendations to executive leadership, the Finance Committee, and the Board of Trustees.
- Provide expert guidance regarding Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement methodologies, regulatory changes, cost reporting requirements, and related financial implications.
Financial Planning and Operational Analysis
- Collaborate with operational and clinical leaders to align business plans, service line strategies, and financial objectives.
- Monitor organizational performance against established budgets and forecasts, recommending adjustments as needed to achieve financial goals.
- Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, optimize resources, and support organizational growth.
- Lead financial modeling and return-on-investment analyses for new programs, capital investments, service expansions, and strategic initiatives.
- Support data-driven decision-making through comprehensive financial reporting and performance analysis.
Financial Operations and Administration
- Provide leadership and oversight for all accounting, financial reporting, treasury, budgeting, tax, audit, and asset management functions.
- Establish, maintain, and continuously improve financial policies, procedures, and internal control systems.
- Direct the preparation and presentation of financial statements, regulatory filings, tax reports, and other required financial documentation.
- Lead the annual operating and capital budgeting process and ensure financial resources are aligned with organizational priorities.
- Oversee payer contracting, reimbursement strategies, pricing initiatives, and other financial negotiations that support organizational sustainability.
Compliance, Risk Management, and Stewardship
- Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and regulatory requirements affecting healthcare finance and reimbursement.
- Monitor legislative, reimbursement, and regulatory developments and communicate organizational implications to leadership.
- Oversee external audits, cost reports, tax filings, and financial compliance activities while implementing process improvements and best practices.
- Manage organizational banking relationships, investment activities, and capital resources to support long-term financial health.
- Provide oversight of all tax-related matters, including nonprofit reporting requirements and associated filings.
Board, Community, and Stakeholder Relations
- Serve as a financial liaison to the Board of Trustees, Finance Committee, and other governance bodies.
- Represent St. Croix Health in partnerships, affiliations, community organizations, and other external relationships.
- Participate on boards, committees, and affiliated entities where financial expertise and organizational representation are required.
- Build strong relationships with community stakeholders, healthcare partners, financial institutions, and regulatory agencies.
Executive Leadership and Organizational Governance
- Fulfill the responsibilities of a corporate officer and support the organization's mission, vision, values, and strategic goals.
- Contribute to organizational governance efforts, including policy development, contract review, risk assessment, and protection of the organization's nonprofit status.
- Support organizational independence and sustainability through sound financial stewardship and strategic leadership.
Leadership Development and Team Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop finance and administrative staff through coaching, performance management, and succession planning.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional development.
- Establish clear individual and departmental goals that align with organizational priorities and strategic objectives.
- Support team member growth through education, training, and leadership development opportunities.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field required.
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation preferred.
- Healthcare compliance education or training preferred.
- Ten or more years of progressive financial leadership experience, including executive-level responsibility within a similarly sized organization; healthcare industry experience strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated expertise in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, treasury management, and strategic financial leadership.
- Proven ability to lead, develop, and mentor high-performing teams while fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.
- Strong business acumen with exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and effectively navigate a dynamic and complex environment.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, boards, physicians, staff, and external stakeholders.
- Strong organizational skills with a demonstrated ability to execute strategic initiatives and drive results.
- Proficiency with financial management systems, database applications, and healthcare-related accounting and reporting platforms.
- Commitment to integrity, sound judgment, and stewardship of organizational resources.
About
This position is based on-site in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. Nestled along the scenic St. Croix River, the region offers an exceptional quality of life with a unique blend of small-town charm and modern conveniences. Residents enjoy beautiful natural surroundings, year-round outdoor recreation, highly rated schools, affordable housing, and a welcoming sense of community. From hiking, boating, fishing, and skiing to exploring the numerous parks, forests, and lakes that define the area, the St. Croix Valley offers endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. At the same time, the cultural, dining, entertainment, and professional amenities of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area are just over an hour away. For leaders seeking the opportunity to drive meaningful change while enjoying a balanced lifestyle in one of Wisconsin's most scenic regions, St. Croix Health offers the best of both career and community.
Employee Benefits
At St. Croix Health, we invest in our employees by offering a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, work-life balance, and professional growth. Eligible employees may enjoy:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance options for employees and eligible dependents.
- Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) opportunities to help manage healthcare and dependent care expenses.
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) program
- Employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and basic life insurance coverage.
- 403(b) retirement plan featuring employer contributions and matching opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Tuition reimbursement to support continuing education, certifications, and professional development
If you are a collaborative leader who is energized by the opportunity to strengthen rural healthcare and make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve, we encourage you to submit your resume through our application portal to be considered for this exciting opportunity.
