Chief Financial Officer

The mission of The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is the development of professional health care practitioners through innovation, individualized, and quality classroom, clinical, and distance education.

GENERAL SUMMARY
Based in Miami, Florida and reporting to Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will lead the full financial operations and serve as a key strategic and operational partner to the Chief Executive Officer, Board of Directors, Altas Partners, and leadership team. The CFO will have an excellent understanding of the drivers of growth, profitability, and value creation. The CFO will be instrumental in bringing transformative change by positioning finance as a strong business partner to the organization. The ideal executive will act as a “roll up your sleeves,” collaborative, and engaged member of the leadership team.
As the lead financial executive, the CFO will provide leadership and mentorship to the financial planning, accounting, financial operations and purchasing teams. S/he will have demonstrated success partnering with all areas within a business to deliver strong financial results, efficient operations, and dependable compliance. The team’s success will be realized once they have truly integrated themselves in the business and are able to operate as a valuable and proactive business partner. Driving deeper analysis and financial understanding throughout the business and into the everyday actions of the company is the goal for this leader’s organization.
The CFO will also share the mission-driven values and unique culture of the organization while embracing the commitment to excellence and providing the highest quality education services. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the CFO will be forward-looking, hands-on, and hardworking, and will serve as a “player-coach” with the ability to transition seamlessly between daily operations and broader strategic business issues. S/he will recruit, develop, and mentor a superior team of leaders and disseminate greater P&L responsibility throughout the organization through new systems, methodologies, and training.
This position provides financial vision and operational guidance to grow the business, both organically and through proactive business development activities. The CFO will focus on establishing a financial vision and enable further growth and development for the institution. This is the senior member of the executive team with responsibility for formulating financial policy and plans that align with the strategic direction and long-range plan while ensuring the effectiveness of reporting, operations, and compliance.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides overall direction for the accounting, tax, insurance, financial operations, budget, capital planning and purchasing. Operates as strategic thought partner in the identification of trends and drivers to inform the deployment of resources to improve performance and financial results in accordance with the institutions goals.

Financial Planning, Reporting and Analysis Accountabilities:

• Ensures financial reporting, budget, quarterly or monthly forecast reviews, and financial analyses are completed in accordance with established deadlines and can be used by stakeholders to gauge and improve performance. Establish clear KPIs and dashboard reporting.
• Leads reporting processes consistent with established policies, procedures and regulatory requirements, making sure business units meet their financial objectives as prescribed by the approved business plans and accreditation standards.
• Drives the financial analysis process with full comprehension of key performance ratios, operating trends, and key industry indicators to identify opportunities and allocate resources that improve performance and enhance institutional value.
• Develops and maintains current, in-depth knowledge of the company’s operations and an understanding of the factors that positively drive valuations in the short and long term in order to fund most impactful initiatives.
• Leads Long Range Planning (LRP) process by assessing business opportunities and prioritizing most favorable return scenarios.

Capacity Planning and Real Estate Management:

• Drives long term capacity plan for facilities infrastructure to meet organizational growth needs and exceptional student experience.
• Manages relationship with landlords to manage cost, enhance services and meet long term operating needs.
• Evaluates immediate and long-term space utilization and organizational needs to design effective and efficient spaces.
• Coordinates with facilities to implement standards, developers to complete new construction and retrofits, and purchasing to source appropriate FF&E.
• Assesses university-wide capital investments to allocate resources to projects with greatest strategic and financial impact.

Cash Management and Financial Services:

• Determines liquidity needs across multiple institutions/legal entities and advise opportunities to best utilize cash.
• Supports the consolidation of reports such as the monthly regional cash flow forecast, quarterly debt compliance, and budget and loan payment plans.
• Oversees cash reporting and forecasting to meet organizational needs and regulatory requirements.
• Develops, manages and enhances the working relationships with appropriate financial services institutions to obtain necessary funding and enhance operations and student services.
• Negotiates large contracts with vendors to achieve favorable terms and high-quality services.
• Implements procurement services that are efficient and enables self-service throughout the university.

Audit and Enterprise Risk:

• Coordinates Audit & Enterprise Risk Committee of the USAHS Board meetings.
• Assumes overall responsibility for all audits and financial compliance including financial audit, financial aid audit and federal requirements for all legal entities.
• Manages university insurance program, undertaking yearly assessment and ensuring appropriate coverages tied to risk tolerances and exposure.
• Oversees controls and efficiency in for student payables that enhance the student experience while lowering costs.

MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinates Audit Committee meetings and assumes overall responsibility for all audits.
• Oversees the Controller's actions in connection with quarterly and annual financial audits and SOX compliance/audits.
• Develops, manages and enhances working relationships with appropriate financial services institutions.

• May perform other duties and responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time.

POSITION IN ORGANIZATION



Reports to: CEO, Health Sciences

Positions Supervised:

• Accounting: Controller
• Finance: Vice President, Procurement & Contract Management Director, Risk Management Senior Manager
• Campus Operations: Facilities Executive Director and Capital Planning Director

TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL & PEOPLE SKILLS REQUIRED

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Incumbents will be evaluated, in part, based on performance of each essential function. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to manage an accounting organization in cash cycle, closing process, capital expenditure process and balance sheet integrity.
• Sound strategic depth and strong technical skills in finance, and treasury functions developed from previous experience.
• Proficient knowledge of banking and treasury, SOX compliance; liquidity management and treasury management systems.
• Excellent analytical skills; able to think critically.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team player and independently.
• Attention to detail and problem-solving ability; well organized and able to prioritize.
• Excellent interpersonal abilities and communication skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, necessary for interactions with internal and external parties at various levels.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and financial software

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline with a minimum of 10 years of experience required.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) or other relevant advanced degree are highly desirable.
• CPA or CMA preferred.
• Education or other services experience is strongly preferred, as a mission-oriented, student/consumer focus is critical to USAHS.
• Experience in a private equity-backed company and/or experience within a large/high performing and high growth organization, able to draw upon best-in-class processes and procedures.
• Multi-state, multi-site network or experience establishing relationships across remote teams or clients.
• Proven track record of developing and leading high-performing teams.

TRAVEL



Travel required up to 30%

BUSINESS COMPETENCIES

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  Collaborates - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
  
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  Being Resilient - Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.
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  Instills Trust - Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
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  Drives Results - Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
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  Innovation - Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.
  
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  Customer Focus - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
  
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  Drives Engagement (People Managers Only) - Creating a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives.
  
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  People Leadership (People Managers Only) - Leads by example when it comes to finding and developing talent, with a focus on talent acquisition strategies, setting performance targets that raises standards and development of high potential talent.
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment but may involve exposure to moderate noise levels. Work involves operation of personal computer equipment for six to eight hours daily and includes physical demands associated with a traditional office setting, e.g., walking, standing, communicating, and other physical functions as necessary.

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is an equal opportunity at will employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, disability, sex, sexual orientation or national origin.