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THE ROLE

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will lead the financial administration of the organization. The CFO is a transformational leader that will bring innovation, structure and growth to our research-based organization with a commitment to excellence and serving a diverse organization. The CFO is a collaborative steward of the organization and will make strategic decisions toward the financial well-being of our institution.

The CFO will provide financial management including, budget development, strategy formulation, financial modeling, scenario planning, risk and compliance oversight, in collaboration with TERC’s leadership and staff to identify business model adaptations and innovations that enable growth and deliver creative and effective solutions.

TERC’s Center for School Reform, Center for Science Teaching and Learning, the STEM Education Evaluation Center and the Education Research Collaborative are the cornerstones of our work. The Chief Financial Officer will support teams comprised of Principal Investigators and Administrators who are dedicated to strengthening TERC’s mission and vision.

The CFO will also be a pragmatic leader who is highly responsive, invokes a strong sense of trust and commitment, respects diverse voices of thought, experiences and leads with an inclusive lens within a multigenerational organization.

The Chief Financial Officer will report directly to the President, with a strong collaboration with the Board of Directors,  Treasurer, associated committees, and directly support a team of three (3) leaders in Human Resources, Accounting and Grants & Contracts.

CRITICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Execute the financial strategy of the organization to meet its financial goals.
• Oversee the financial operations, ensuring a best-in-class, customer oriented office.
• Hire, direct and coach financial team members to ensure timely, proficient and accurate results – and drive continuous improvement in accounting/ finance processes.
• Prepare monthly/quarterly/annual financials, statements and reporting.
• Remain current on audit best practices as well as state, federal and local laws; prepare/review audit schedules, tax reports, financial information, KPI’s, budgets, etc.
• Establish internal and external financial analysis and reporting as needed – expenditures, cost/benefit projects, ROI analysis, special projects and provide recommendations.
• Implement/revise best practices in the budgeting processes.
• Evaluate and advise on the impact of short and long-range planning, and regulatory action.
• Establish and maintain vendor relationships with investment managers, bankers, insurance broker, etc…and prepare cash projections, manage cash flow planning process and ensure funds availability.
• Collaborate, mentor and provide leadership to accounting, human resources and grants management. 

       Business Strategy

• Partner with TERC’s leadership on all operational and funding trajectory; providing collaborative, and strategic recommendations.
• Support the President with strategic finance; analysis, projections, fund allocation, revenue and expenses.
• Engage with leadership to align financial management with short and long-term financial planning and projections.
• Serve on and engage Board/Treasurer and committees on TERC’s internal budget, issues, trends and changes in operational delivery. Oversee long-term budgetary planning and financial alignment with the strategic plan.

        Planning, Policy, and Board Relations

• Participate in policy development and strategic planning as a member of the leadership team.
• Develop business plans and forecasts in collaboration with TERC’s leadership and key stakeholders.
• Partner with the President to coordinate planning and establish priorities.
• Engage the Board Finance Committee to develop short-medium-long-term financial plans and projections.
• Represent the organization to financial partners including funders, banking, auditors, investment managers, etc.
• Stay current to meet or exceed audit “best practices,” and state and federal law regarding TERC operations.
• Plan internal/external audit process, and serve as liaison to auditors.
• Analyze operations to identify areas in need of evaluation, enhancements and strategies toward efficiency.
• Collaborate with TERC leaders to evaluate revenue generating projects, programs and opportunities.

       Financial Management & Standardization

• Oversee budgeting and the implementation process; monitor progress and present operational/program metrics.
• Ensure accounting staff maintains records and systems integrity in accordance with compliance and risk.
• Prepare and approve financial reporting materials and metrics for Board/Treasurer and associated committees; prepare and communicate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Manage cash flow and forecasting, direct all financial, project-based and departmental accounting.
• Review and/or revise all formal finance processes and administration; recommending improvements to the systems in place and manage changes.
• Oversee cash management and ensure compliance with approved investment policy and investment of funds in accordance with established guidelines, principles and practices.

       Accounting and Administration

• Oversee accounting staff to ensure proper maintenance of all accounting systems and function, including, but not limited to, budget preparation, and audit functions; supervise staff.
• Collaborate with TERC leaders to support project budgets, contractual deadlines, funding benchmarks, reporting and compliance and strategize on best practices.
• Ensure maintenance of appropriate internal controls and financial procedures.
• Guarantee timeliness, accuracy, and usefulness of financial and management reporting for TERC leaders and Board/Treasurer and committees.
• Coordinate audits and proper filing of tax returns and year-end compliance reports.
• Direct the preparation of all financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, shareholder reports, tax returns, and government agency reports.
• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial functions.

       Administrative Leadership/Management

• Serve as a strategic partner to the President on financial, budgeting and administrative processes, with a keen eye on continuously developing and improving systems.
• Assess financial technology and systems, and make recommendations/changes as needed.
• Support TERC’s compensation strategy, health and wellness design, and retirement plan audits.
• Review, approve, submit and ensure compliance with RFP’s, subcontracts and contracts.

STAFF & LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

TERC leaders, lead and support a culture of collaboration, creativity and innovation:

• Nationally recognized staff in educational research and curriculum development, over 60% of whom have advanced degrees in science, mathematics, engineering, education, psychology, and technology.
• Experience in STEM content development and pedagogy including biology and biocomplexity, climate literacy, computational thinking, elementary math, early algebra, and adult numeracy, energy, data literacy and data science, Earth and space science, and the physical sciences.
• Work in a wide range of settings including formal, informal, afterschool, and online.
• Design and develop games, assistive technologies, online communities, apps, websites, and other tools for learning.
• Offer in-depth formative and summative evaluation, consultation and research support, and assist in writing design studies.
• A strong commitment to social justice, educational equity, diversity and inclusion in all policies and practices.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• BS in Accounting/Finance/Economics required; MBA is strongly preferred. CPA is desirable.
• 15+ years of progressive finance experience in a nonprofit, education, research entity or similar environment; 7+ years in a leadership role.
• Proven proficiencies in nonprofit finance; federal, state, government grants, ICR, foundation grants and sub awards.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, team management and interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional management and supervisory skills; must be an innovative and empowering mentor that embraces integrity and ethical practices by providing accurate, responsive, detail-oriented financial results and goals.
• Possess high level of personal integrity, good judgment and maturity.
• Outstanding analytical and organizational skills, detail-oriented, ability to prioritize competing and multiple priorities with calm demeanor and sound judgment.
• Proven experience in principles, practices, procedures of financial planning, modeling and forecasting.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; leader who can build confidence with teams, leadership, board and external entities; possess exceptional interpersonal skills and be service oriented.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Flexible working style, with a strong service mentality. Needs to be seen as a team player who is committed to continuous improvement and learning from key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities, proposing new ways of creating efficiencies, and guiding investment in people and systems.
• Proficiencies in database and accounting application systems; high level of proficiency in financial tools: Cloud-based, Deltek Costpoint, ERP, MAC, etc…
• Experience in collaboration to manage finance and accounting software packages.
• Strong analytical skills and experience interpreting a strategic vision into an operational model; abstract reasoning skills; organizational skills.
• Proven skills in developing complex, strategic business models.
• Passion for the mission and vision of TERC.

Annual salary range for the Chief Financial Officer position is $190,000 - $210,000. 

This position is a hybrid remote/in-office position.

When applying you will be asked to upload your cover letter and resume. 

About TERC

TERC is a nonprofit made up of teams of math and science education and research experts dedicated to innovation and creative problem solving. At the frontier of theory and practice, TERC’s work encompasses research, content and curriculum development, technology innovation, professional development, and program evaluation. TERC has a passion for social justice and strives to create level playing fields for all learners, reaching more than three million students every year. To learn more, please visit www.terc.edu.

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