Chief Financial Officer

Founded in 1904, the University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that promotes the welfare of the University of Minnesota, its alumni, and its students. Serving both the Twin Cities and Rochester campus alumni, UMAA ensures that the more than half a million alumni share a sense of belonging to the vibrant global community of learners, makers, and doers. UMAA advocates for both the University and its alumni in a myriad of spaces, including various boards, community partnerships, and ultimately, across the world.

As an organization, UMAA focuses on three distinct areas: connecting alumni with each other, supporting student success, and advancing the University of Minnesota. With around 25 employees serving 533,000 alumni, UMAA is able to connect alumni with resources, networking and student mentoring events, travel opportunities, special campus events, and more. UMAA continues to provide new ways to foster alumni relationships, create new events and programming, and support the University’s mission. With their various partnerships with the University, community, and alumni members and donors, UMAA remains a financially stable non-profit and continues to grow.

As an integral part of their leadership team, the Chief Financial Officer will be a strong financial and business strategist who can lend their expertise to analysis, decision making, and the optimization of resources, and leverage of UMAA’s assets to better fulfill the mission of the organization. This person will bring an entrepreneurial approach to the finances and be key in helping UMAA continue to grow, both in reach and revenue.


About the Job
The Chief Financial Officer reports to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Alumni Association and is a strategic thought leader in managing assets and finances to grow the entrepreneurial spirt of the UMAA. As part of the UMAA leadership team, this senior-level leader oversees the financial, HR, and risk management areas of the UMAA and supervises the accounting manager.

This is a 100%, 12-month annually renewable appointment in the academic professional personnel series.

Essential Functions*:
 
Business Strategy and Governance

• Manage UMAA assets to position the organization for future growth.
• With the CEO and VP of Marketing and Business Development, identify and assist with strategies to grow revenue for the UMAA.
• Provide strategic financial leadership on the proposed alumni and friends housing project.
• Advise the CEO and leadership team of optimal use of resources to fulfill UMAA’s mission.
• Work closely with the UMAA Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and the Finance and Audit Committees to support their financial oversight.
• Serve on the University Gateway Corporation Board of Directors as Secretary, and as a member of the Finance Committee and Operations Committee.
• Partner with the UMAA leadership team to build a high performing team with strong internal culture.
   

• Lead the design and execution of UMAA’s financial activities.
• Build, monitor, and maintain effective internal controls and ensure adherence to financial policies.
• Prepare annual operating and capital budgets in consultation with the leadership team.
• Direct the annual external audit and tax compliance engagements.
• Manage the cash flow of the organization.
• Monitor and report the performance, management and use of invested funds.
• Review monthly financial performance with budget owners and management team, assess variances from budgets and revise forecasts.
• Oversee the monthly closing process and preparation of internal departmental reports and financial statements.
   

• Lead the UMAA’s HR operations, coordinating with University Human Resources to leverage their expertise and capacity.
• Oversee the recruiting, hiring, onboarding and departures process for new employees
• Engage legal counsel for the UMAA as necessary
• Oversee UMAA’s insurance needs and risk management.
• Collaborate with other University departments to support UMAA’s mission and achieve goals.
   

• Other Duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance
• Ten (10) years of experience as a professional accountant

• A creative, entrepreneurial mindset
• Experience working in a higher education or non-profit setting
• Advanced degree in related field
• Professional certification in related field – CPA, CMA, CGMA, CFA, etc.
• Knowledge of nonprofit accounting principles and taxation
• Able to assess the adequacy of internal controls and develop controls to address deficiencies
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and assume high-level responsibilities
• Detail oriented
• Organized and able to handle multiple tasks and deadlines
• Able to communicate financial information to non-financial staff
• Understanding of the human resources operations
• Knowledge of organizational risk assessment and insurance coverage

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services 
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.