Finance Director

Classification: Full-time

Department: Administration

Primary Work Location: Champaign County Forest Preserves Headquarters (Mahomet, IL)

FLSA Status: Salaried, exempt

IMRF Pension Plan: Eligible

Insurance Benefits: Eligible for group insurance plans (medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and FSA)

Paid Time Off: Sick leave, vacation leave, comp time, paid holidays, paid family leave

Schedule: Typical work hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Schedule may vary based on operational needs, including occasional evenings, and rare weekends and holidays.

On-site/Remote Status: On-site, with flexibility to work remotely occasionally when the need arises

Pay: Grade 10; $88,588 - $106,306/year

The Finance Director plays a pivotal role in helping the Forest Preserves act as good stewards to the lands we manage and as accountable members of our community. Our success as an organization depends on our ability to be efficient, effective, and forward-thinking with our financial resources. Furthermore, as a government agency it is critical that our funds are used responsibly and are managed transparently.

We are in search of someone with the distinct capability to proficiently manage financial affairs and lead a high-performing team that shares a dedication to preserving and enriching our natural and cultural resources. Your commitment to nurturing a cohesive team and optimizing operational efficacy will significantly contribute to the stewardship of over 4,000 acres of beautiful natural and recreational areas throughout Champaign County.

The Finance Director provides leadership and oversees the financial processes, policies, and systems for the Forest Preserves and Forest Preserves Friends Foundation, the affiliated 501(c)(3). The Finance Director also serves as a member of the Strategy Team.

The Finance Director reports to the Executive Director and supervises all members of the Finance Department (three full-time employees): Assistant Finance Director, Finance Specialist, and Advancement Officer.

• Responsible for the development, implementation and ongoing management of all financial activities including budgeting, accounting, auditing, purchasing, payroll, accounts receivable, asset management, grants reporting and policies, and financial recordkeeping and reporting for both the Forest Preserves and the Foundation.
• Directs, coordinates, and supports development of long-range budget plans with management team, including the annual Forest Preserves’ and Foundation budgets, fixed asset replacement, annual compensation and staffing, disaster recovery, and grant planning. ensures that all plans and proposed budgets are properly aligned with the Forest Preserves’ Strategic Plan and operational needs.
• Serves as the organization’s Procurement Officer, overseeing financial decisions by monitoring and enforcing purchasing policies/procedures and supervising competitive bid/quote processes to ensure compliance with legal requirements.
• Coordinates and monitors bond issuances, debt, refinancing, and required disclosure reports. 
• Prepares financial estimates and projections for short- and long-term financial planning for the organization. Assists and advises on the availability of funds and financial trends.
• Establishes and maintains internal audit controls to ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting practices and compliance with 501(c)(3) regulations for the Foundation. Ensures adequate documentation of all fiscal transactions to demonstrate this compliance in annual audits.
• Administers all banking and investment functions in accordance with Board financial policy, ensuring sufficient liquidity for payment of bills and payroll while optimizing investment returns.
• Maintains adequate fiscal controls to ensure that departmental costs are within budgetary limitations. Tracks annual budget performance to account for overages and maximizes the opportunity to use savings to address emergencies and critical needs.
• Conducts or oversees and assists grant administration, including reporting and identifying potential funding sources for grant matches.
• Develops, analyzes, and recommends changes to a variety of procedures, plans, agreements, and operating systems to improve performance, maximize benefits, address economic conditions, maintain best practices, adjust to trends, and position the organization for success.
• Responsible for ensuring that the annual audit process is successfully completed in a timely and compliant manner and that the proper systems are in place to ensure audits run smoothly.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in accounting, or a bachelor’s degree in a related field that provides a similar level of education in accounting or finance. Master’s degree and/or CPA or CPFO desired.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in positions where finance or accounting was the primary function of the role.
• Within the above 7 years of experience, at least 3 of those years must be in a supervisory role in financial operations.
• Within the above 7 years of experience, at least 3 of those years must be in a government agency.
• Must be experienced with computerized fund accounting operations. Experience with governmental accounting operations desired.
• Experience completing third-party financial audits, either as a client or as an auditor, is strongly preferred.
• A valid Illinois driver’s license is required within six months of date of hire.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles for local government agencies.
• Ability to represent the organization in a professional manner and to establish and maintain good public relations with all staff, Board, vendors, stakeholders and the general public.
• Ability to exercise confidentiality.
• Highly organized with the ability to multi-task in a public environment and to handle stressful situations.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and to identify and solve routine problems as they arise. Considerable ability to analyze agency risks to determine whether they can be eliminated or minimized.
• Ability to speak in front of groups, including the Board of Commissioners and Foundation Board.
• Ability to take complex information and concepts and communicate/present them in an understandable manner.
• Ability to effectively manage, develop, and empower employees in a manner that is consistent with our organizational values of stewardship, community, and discovery.

Work is performed indoors in a standard office setting with occasional interruptions. This position is required to regularly use a computer, telephone, and other standard office equipment. The employee must be able to speak and hear to regularly communicate with various internal and external constituents. The visual acuity to prepare and analyze detailed reports as well as enter/review information to ensure accuracy is required.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee must be able to remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods of time. However, the employee may need to occasionally move to access file cabinets, office machines, etc. The employee may regularly handle, grasp, or feel objects; reach, push, or pull to reposition items; and may occasionally lift and transport up to 10 pounds.

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described above are representative of those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Please Note: Studies have shown that people from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, women and other excluded or historically excluded people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe that they meet every one of the qualifications as stated in the job description. The Champaign County Forest Preserve District is interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and qualifications for the role.

EEO Statement

The Champaign County Forest Preserve District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and as such does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, military service, or any other non-merit factor.

This job description is intended to describe the general content of and requirement for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Changes, including additional duties, may be assigned at any time.