Alexandria Renew Enterprises Hiring for Director of Finance Job at Alexandria, VA Full Time

AlexRenew, an independent public wastewater utility, seeks a business-minded, results-driven, team-oriented professional to manage its Finance Department. The successful candidate will be experienced working effectively across an entire organization to build and sustain (i) sound financial, accounting, budget, debt, and investment policies and practices, (ii) appropriate business and financial discipline within a framework of flexibility, adaptability and efficiency, (iii) financial compliance with applicable federal, state, and local law as well as industry regulation and best practices, and (iv) effective coordination with AlexRenew’s outsourced customer billing services to ensure revenue receipt. The successful candidate must be a critical thinker, strong leader, and resilient manager, able to spur productivity, pioneer new ideas, inspire teamwork, and consistently achieve notable outcomes. The successful candidate will be expected to ensure that AlexRenew sustains a strong and stable financial position as the organization aggressively evolves to be a “utility of the future.” It is critical for the candidate to be a strong communicator, able to influence others to accomplish objectives in this role.

The Director of Finance supervises management, professional, paraprofessional, contractual and support staff including conducting performance evaluations, coordinating training, and implementing hiring, discipline, and termination procedures.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage accounting, internal controls, and reporting functions; ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB); publish Annual Consolidated Financial Report (ACFR) while maintaining AlexRenew’s long history of recognition for excellence in accounting and reporting.
• Lead and manage cash, investments, and debt management activities; meet cash requirements, optimize investment returns working in partnership with AlexRenew’s Financial Advisor, and support capital-borrowing efforts in form and manner that advantages AlexRenew.
• Lead the planning and development of annual fiscal year operations, maintenance and capital budgets, and follow-on mid-year review; Prepare annual budget recommendations for CEO, Board, and citizen review, and for delivery by CEO to Board for approval; publish final document. Manage the approved budget month to month execution in the organization within Board approved parameters.
• Oversee employee retirement system and other post-employment benefits programs on behalf of employees and AlexRenew.
• Supports CEO in regularly reviewing all financial related policies and processes, including Board financial policies and providing recommendations for updates.
• Support CEO with all Board Finance and Audit committee meetings.
• Manage customer billing and collection contract in partnership with AlexRenew’s selected billing vendor; ensure billing accuracy, cost effectiveness of third-party support, and timely transfer of collections to designated depositories.
• Conduct financial and business case analysis as appropriate in support of departmental and organizational needs.
• Lead staff to internalize AlexRenew values, achieve AlexRenew strategic outcomes and foster a culture of integrity, respect, and commitment to healthier waterways and overall performance excellence.

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualification Requirements:

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Key Competencies:

• Drive – serving our city and our water world with our mastery and purpose of mission. Ability to be proactive; improve systems, procedures and policies.
• Integrity and Ethics – always doing the right thing for our water, our community and AlexRenew.
• Mutual Appreciation & Respect – recognize and value our individual talents and collective successes.
• Initiative & Adaptability – provides service beyond required or expected effort; proactively originates action rather than only responding to suggestions & directions from others.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making – displays ability to define a problem, develops workable and realistic alternatives, and selects appropriate alternative to resolve problem.
• Job Knowledge & Continuous Cross-Functional Learning – Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the job processes & procedures. Stays aware of current developments & trends in all relevant technical/professional knowledge areas.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field required. Master’s degree preferred.

• Ten (10) or more years’ experience in increasingly responsible finance, accounting, or budget management positions in business or a municipal enterprise; water, wastewater or other utility-type industry experience preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience with municipal enterprise accounting and reporting, GAAP rules and standards, and GASB standards and guidance.
• Experience managing external vendors and consultants for results delivery
• Experience developing and executing organization-level operating, maintenance and capital budgets.
• Familiarity with the Virginia Public Procurement Act.
• Experience with State and Federal water revolving loan fund programs
• Experience in treasury management including cash, investment, and debt management; knowledge of borrowing markets, structures, financial terms and legal documentation preferred.
• Experience in multijurisdictional, interagency financial and management agreements.
• Effective communication skills – ability to communicate orally and in writing – across functions and teams, up and down the organizational structure.
• The ability to influence people to get things done.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage conflict proactively and effectively.
• Highly motivated self-starter with a passion to achieve results.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee may perform on an occasional to regular basis while performing functions of this job. A detailed Physical Demands Analysis is available in Human Resources and a copy will be provided to all incumbents in this position. While performing the duties of this position, typical of office work, include lifting up to 10 pounds, and minimal pushing or pulling.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Environmental conditions may necessitate following strict safety guidelines and use of Personal Protective Equipment. While performing the duties of this position, the employee will perform work indoors in a climate-controlled environment, with outdoor trips between buildings.

Disclaimer:

The above information on this position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.