Chief Financial Officer

financial-advisor.de • Remote (CO, United States) • $200k - $250k / year • 1m ago

Jefferson County is excited to announce they’re seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with strong technical expertise and exceptional interpersonal skills. The role involves establishing strategic objectives to enhance the department's effectiveness, ensuring the delivery of high-quality service to customers, and achieving positive outcomes for the County. As a key strategic leader, the CFO collaborates with the County Manager, department heads, elected officials, and Board of County Commissioners to ensure both short-term and long-term financial resiliency.

A critical aspect of the job is to analyze and monitor the countywide financial health of the organization. This includes analyzing financial trends that could impact county operations and effectively communicating these trends to the Board of County Commissioners. Issues addressed may involve personnel impacts, debt service obligations, and external operating costs.

The position also involves conducting a variety of special projects and studies at the request of the County Manager or Board of County Commissioners. The responsibilities extend to reviewing contracts to ensure they have the necessary budgetary appropriation authority, comply with statutory legality, and meet operational needs. Additionally, this role is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing fiscal operating policies and procedures to maintain financial integrity and efficiency.

The Chief Financial Officer oversees the Strategy and Budget Director, Finance Director, Federal Grants Director, Executive Assistant, and the department of 47 FTEs.

Jefferson County is subject to the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR). Under TABOR, local voters may allow their respective government to "debruce" – that is, permit a county, municipality, or school district to eliminate the TABOR revenue limit, and then retain and spend all of the revenue it has collected. A majority of Colorado counties have “debruced” through this voter process. A ballot measure to “debruce” is on the ballot in November of this year.

Priorities

Establish a strong working relationship with the County Manager and earn the trust of the Commissioners. Build rapport with department directors and elected officials who manage departments and offices.
Foster relationships with finance department staff and direct reports to understand their strengths and needs. Evaluate the department’s structure and staffing over the first year. Continue regular meetings to continue the department’s healthy culture.
Address the existing pain points of departments by refining and optimizing the procurement process to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the County's budget, including identifying opportunities for cost reductions or revenue enhancements. Develop strategies for scaling the budget up or down based on the County’s financial needs.
Build on the recently established Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) process by continuously evolving and refining the aggregated list of needs to align with county priorities.

The Successful Candidate

The successful candidate for the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) position in Jefferson County will possess a unique blend of technical expertise and strong interpersonal skills. They will demonstrate patience, resilience, and a sense of humor, which are essential in navigating the complexities of public sector finance. With exceptional communication abilities, they will effectively articulate complex financial concepts to various stakeholders, including department heads, elected officials, and the public.

The ideal candidate will be a collaborative problem solver who guides actions with respect and transparency, fostering trust and cooperation across the organization. They will work well with elected leaders, approaching challenges with a flexible mindset that is focused on the best financial interests of the County. Their commitment to inclusivity and equity will enable them to work effectively with the DEI team and engage with the public, identifying ways that financial strategies reflect an equity lens, and meet diverse community needs.

Adaptability to change, political astuteness, and the ability to relate to department heads, elected officials, and the public are crucial traits for this role. Integrity will be at the core of their leadership, driving ethical decision-making, and fostering a culture of accountability. With a strong sense of humility and selflessness, this candidate will excel in collaborating with department directors, fostering creativity and innovation, and prioritizing the County's long-term success.

The successful CFO will bring expertise in managing large budgets, using this knowledge to address challenges proactively and motivate the organization toward continuous improvement. Their energy and initiative will infuse the department with fresh ideas and a commitment to making a positive impact. The successful candidate will understand the complexity of financing county services in a TABOR (Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights) environment and help provide long-term strategies to become more financially sustainable.

Qualifications

Minimum requirementsinclude any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field and a minimum of five years of related work experience in budget and/or financial management.

Preferred qualificationsinclude a master’s degree, budget, and finance experience within a government setting and/or with multiple business lines and funds. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) is preferred but not required. Demonstrated experience in change management, improving processes utilizing technology, developing long-term financial plans, delivering customer-focused services to a range of operations, and working effectively with executives and elected officials.

Inside Jefferson County

Jefferson County serves as both an administrative arm of the state government and as a unit of local government. Overseeing Jefferson County are three County Commissioners. Each Commissioner is elected by County residents and serves a four-year term. Commissioners serve as policymakers for land use, roads and bridges, parks, public assistance, and intergovernmental services. The Board of County Commissioners appoints the County Manager who oversees the directors of Development and Transportation, Business, Innovation, and Technology, Human Resources, Human Services, Parks & Conservation, Public Affairs, Operations, and Strategy, Innovation, and Finance. Other county departments include the Library Director and Public Health Director who report to a board. There are also Elected Officials in the County, which are the Assessor, Clerk and Recorder, Coroner, District Attorney, Sheriff, Surveyor, and Treasurer/Public Trustee, who oversee their own offices and personnel.

The County government responds to the needs of its residents through the cooperative effort of its elected officials, employees, and community advisors, all working together to improve the quality of life in the County. Resident access and input to county government is facilitated by the more than 300 volunteers who serve on numerous county boards, commissions, and committees.

The FY 2024 Operating Budget is $626 million, and the total budget is $843 million. The County employs 3,345 full-time employees.

Vision: Jefferson County seeks to be a county government that provides equitable, innovative, efficient, and quality service to a thriving and safe community.

Mission: Jefferson County is dedicated to promoting safety, health, and well-being for all members of our community and to ensuring the responsible stewardship of its resources.

Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Collaboration, Diversity and Inclusion, and Accountability.

About the Strategic, Innovation, and Finance Department (SIF)

The department employs 47 full-time equivalents (FTEs) and has a total budget of $52,765,300. This includes 2 FTEs in SIF Administration, 8 FTEs in Federal Grants, 20 FTEs in Finance, 8 FTEs in Purchasing, and 9 FTEs in Strategy, Planning, and Analysis.

The Federal Grants Management team provides oversight of the County’s direct American Rescue Plan award and other federal grants, such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other state, local government, or foundation grants. Oversight and standardizing are provided in the following areas: planning, grant management, communications, grant writing, procurement, compliance, and audit.

The Finance Division is responsible for the County’s external financial reporting and oversees the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, which details the County’s financial activities during the fiscal year. The Finance Division is also responsible for payroll administration, fixed asset control, coordination of annual external audit, debt administration, sales tax analysis, coordination of interdepartmental cost allocation, accounts payable, and other financial services that assure the County’s assets are being properly safeguarded.

The Purchasing function, with the authorization of the Board of County Commissioners, is responsible for providing a centralized source for purchasing activities that result in the greatest value for each taxpayer dollar spent while maintaining the highest ethical standards.

Strategy, Planning, and Analysis (SPA) provides budget management, strategic planning, and analytical support to Jefferson County’s departments and officials, so they can make informed managerial and policy decisions while ensuring the financial resiliency of all county services and operations.

Jefferson County has earned GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Award and Certificate of Achievement for Financial Reporting for many years. The County has a bond rating of AA+. The County has recently implemented multiple modules of Workday as its Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP).

The Community

Once an agricultural and mining area, Jefferson County, Colorado, is a thriving suburban, business, industrial, recreational, and residential community. The County, formally organized in 1861 by the Colorado Territorial Legislature, takes the name of Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. Jefferson County is a place where the great plains meet the Rocky Mountains with some of the most magnificent scenery in the country. It features rolling grasslands and craggy rock formations, natural foothills, rugged mountains, and tumbling mountain streams. Jefferson County is filled with magnificent wonders only nature can provide. Not ignoring its agricultural and mining roots, Jefferson County has worked to create a delicate balance between that past while supporting a thriving business community and providing for safe neighborhoods. The County has a first-class public school system, Jefferson County R-1 School District. Residents also have access to at least a dozen institutions of higher education.

Jefferson County encompasses approximately 773 square miles along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Outdoor lovers have manyJefferson County Open Space Parks, three national forests, and two state parks from which to choose. Pike, Roosevelt, and Arapahoe National Forests, Golden Gate Canyon State Park, and Chatfield State Recreation Area are all partially located in Jefferson County. The County's nationally recognized open space program offers a variety of outdoor activities.

Quick Facts

Population (2023): 576,366
Median Household Income: $103,167
Median Home Value: 556,800
Median Age: 40.2

All demographic information was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected hiring range is $185,000 – $205,000, depending on qualifications, with an excellent benefits package.

Benefits include medical insurance, dental, and vision (covered at 100%), car allowance, HSA, FSA, Life and AD&D Insurance, disability insurance, retirement savings plans, executive paid time off, holidays, and an employee assistance program (EAP). Other benefits include tuition reimbursement, training and development, and a travel assistance program. The County provides a 401 (a) retirement plan administered by the Colorado Retirement Association (CRA). For more information about employee benefits, visithttps://www.jeffco.us/1896/Employment-Benefitsand download the 2024 Benefits Guide.

Residency in the County after employment is strongly encouraged and will be tied to relocation assistance.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis.Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginningOctober 18, 2024.