Chief Financial Officer (Project Management)

At Regional Transportation District (RTD), We make lives better through connections!

When you join RTD, you will be among dedicated employees exhibiting RTD's values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration, and ownership. RTD is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. As part of our diversity value statement, we encourage our employees to honor diversity in thought, people, and experience. Come join RTD on this great journey to be the trusted leader in mobility, delivering excellence and value to our customers and community.

RTD Employee Benefits: https://www.rtd-denver.com/careers/benefits

(RTD Represented Employee Benefits: Please refer to the Labor Agreement included in the above link for details.)

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) provides strategic leadership for RTD's financial activities including financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, asset management and accounting functions as well as its relationship with lending institutions, payers, and vendors. The CFO works as a key member of the senior leadership team to oversee, direct, evaluate, and transform all financial processes, procedures, and operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for assessing the agency's financial activities and position and working with leadership to implement policies and procedures to improve financial processes to maximize efficiency and reduce waste.
The CFO provides counsel to the GM/CEO and Board of Directors on significant matters affecting agency finances and provides recommendations to strategically enhance financial performance and advice regarding stewardship of taxpayer funding.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Executive Leadership and Consultancy

• Consults with the GM/CEO and other members of the Leadership Team on policy, financial, and operational matters serving as a strategic thought partner by engaging in exploration, deliberation, and determination of matters as required
• Serves as an official agency representative and/or spokesperson as delegated by the GM/CEO before internal and external stakeholders on financial matters
• Provides expertise and executive leadership to support the development, execution, and administration of annual operating and capital budgets that support the strategic objectives of a multi-modal transit agency
• Works collaboratively with internal stakeholders to identify, design and execute on strategic and financial initiatives in support of the agency's strategic plan
• Works with the GM/CEO to continually evaluate RTD's long- and short-term financial objectives to develop comprehensive financial plans
• Cultivates a culture of excellence, engagement, inclusion, diversity, belonging, and accessibility
• Empowers and encourage employees to challenge the status quo, ask insightful questions about why decisions are being made, and seek innovative alternatives when appropriate to increase efficiency, transparency, and productivity in response to RTD's financial state
• RTD is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to the race, sex, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law

Financial Operations

• Serves as the lead financial strategist and subject matter expert in the annual budget planning process.  Directs the finance team and department budget holders in all aspects of financial planning, budgeting, and fiscal oversight to ensure accurate forecasting and expense management for the agency
• Monitors agency-wide financial performance by measuring and analyzing data, initiating corrective actions as needed, and putting in place processes to minimize the impact of variances across the organization
• Encourages innovation across the finance department in identifying and pursuing new grant opportunities, leveraging relationships at the FTA, and developing and identifying strategic financial opportunities and alternative funding methods for RTD
• Engages with leaders in all departments to evaluate existing financial functions, systems, technologies, policies, and procedures to ensure best financial management practices are being utilized throughout the agency
• Identifies opportunities for increased efficiencies across the organization, innovative financing solutions, cost reductions, systems enhancements, and maintaining and strengthening reserves
• Prepares financial forecasts and projections to determine the feasibility of new and existing services, facilities, capital projects, programs, joint ventures, legal entities, and other agency initiatives
• Reviews budgets, forecasts, and receivables/revenue, consistently, to address any shortfalls or gaps
• Utilizes data and input from every department to determine the agency's financial needs and balance those needs with available and potential funding sources
• Prepares, maintains, and presents budgets, forecasts, financial statements, and other financial information to the GM/CEO, the Board of Directors, and the leadership team on a regular and ad-hoc basis
• Directs financial activities to comply with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) guidelines and all other applicable laws and regulations
• Ensures all financial systems are up-to-date and accurate to provide transparent and real-time information
• Ensures RTD is prepared for all local, state, and federal audits and reviews
• Directs and coordinates general accounting including general ledger accounting, accounts payable, payroll, claims processing, cash handling, and cash management
• Directs and coordinates the asset management, revenue, treasury, and debt and investment functions
• Develops clear departmental policies, objectives, and strategic priorities while ensuring compliance

People Power Management

• Plans, prioritizes, assigns, analyzes, and monitors workflows within the agency
• Maintains appropriate staffing levels and reviews progress to ensure the quality and quantity of work meets standards and deadlines for deliverables to meet program goals and objectives
• Recruits staff, to include interviewing, hiring, assigning work, training, coaching, and counseling, ensuring consistent application of Employee Guidelines, processes, and procedures
• Conducts performance reviews and hold employees accountable for optimal performance of their responsibilities
• Fosters a culture of safety and ensures compliance with all federal and state laws and regulations

Other Duties as Assigned

• Delivers monthly presentations to the Board of Directors and its committees (i.e., Finance and Planning, and Audit) and also serves as the Executive Liaison
• Informs and advises the GM/CEO and leadership regarding current trends, problems, and activities to facilitate both short, mid, and long-term strategic plans as well as enhance fiscal performance
• Reviews and recommends new or revised internal financial policies, processes, and procedures
• Identifies and resolves financial issues and problems that impact the agency and/or its customers
• Creates, manages, and implements key organizational performance metrics
• Participates on various committees, training events, special projects, and focus groups, including activities to maintain current knowledge of developments in the relevant profession and culture of the organization
• Represents RTD on various standing or ad hoc committees or meetings
• Performs other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, finance, accounting or a closely related field
• Seven (7) years of C-suite leadership – senior/executive -level management
• Five (5) years of leading and managing second-level management
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation

Preferred:

• Master's degree in business administration, public administration, finance, accounting, or related field
• Ten (10) years of C-suite leadership – senior/executive-level management
• Previous leadership experience within a complex public transit agency managing financial operations, budgeting, accounting, and funding opportunities with a detailed understanding of financial and budgetary practices

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

The ideal candidate must demonstrate:

• Advanced knowledge of business management principles, asset management, finance, budgeting, cash flow management, accounting, and federal/state/local government or other public entity operations
• Advanced ability to develop effective financial plans, manage agency assets, and analyze/interpret financial data and reports for the purpose of developing strategic business plans
• Demonstrated experience developing annual budgets and analyzing financial data to determine patterns and develop forecasts, prepare financial statements, and perform other quantitative and analytical duties
• Experience identifying and pursuing grants and other innovative and creative funding opportunities
• Understanding of regulations and reporting requirements as well as the funding and budgeting practices for large capital programs, infrastructure projects, and asset management
• Ability to communicate and interact with elected and public officials at all levels of government, business, and industry and work effectively with a wide range of diverse constituencies and stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and deliver effective professional presentations to governing bodies, regulators, employees, and the general public
• Ability to evaluate and lead the transformation of existing procedures, practices, systems, and technologies as they relate to financial operations to maximize profitability, maintain financial stability, and provide high levels of service
• Ability to create a work environment that encourages innovation, motivation, and high performance
• Ability to listen in all situations, challenge the status quo, find creative solutions, and perform well in stressful situations
• Ability to motivate staff and successfully manage a variety of projects, programs, and initiatives

*An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations. The work environment is a typical office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues, but with prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

CAREER MAP:

Based on job performance and experience/education, the next step on the career map for this position may be the position of:

• Deputy CEO
• General Manager/Chief Executive Officer

We are considering all applications for this position up until the position close date of January 3. 2025. For consideration, please be sure to apply to https://jobs.kl2connects.com/jobs/current/377797000015996060/Chief-Financial-Officer-Denver-RTD?source=CareerSite before the posting end date.

 

RTD is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to the race, sex, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Pay Range:

$200,744.00 - $283,551.50 Annual

RTD is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy [ https://www.rtd-denver.com/sites/default/files/files/2022-12/EEO%20Policy%20Statement-%20UPDATED.pdf ]

RTD posts a compensation range that represents a good faith estimate of what RTD anticipates paying for the position at the time of posting.  Starting salary is based on the candidate's relevant and verified education, training and work experience.  Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application.