Vicariate Finance Manager

The Archdiocese of Chicago, the third largest in the United States, serves more than 2.2 million Catholics in 216 parishes in Cook County and Lake County, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese, pastored by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, has more than 13,000 employees in its systems and ministries, including Catholic Charities, the region's largest nonprofit social service agency.

The Archdiocese also has one of the country's largest seminaries. The Archdiocese's 150+ elementary and secondary schools comprise one of the largest U.S. private school systems. Its schools have received 96 U.S. Department of Education on Blue Ribbon Awards.

The Vicariate Finance Manager (VFM) for Vicariates III and IV will be a practicing Catholic, supporting the Catholic Church teachings, mission and values.
The VFM is responsible for implementing best practices and processes focused on church and school financial operations, including: revenue and expense management, staffing levels, financial forecasting, cash flow management, budgeting, tuition setting, financial aid, and tuition collection. The VFM is also responsible for analyzing financial data to identify areas of opportunity and recommend strategies and actions for improving the financial viability of parishes.

The VFM is a leader within the vicariate who mentors and coaches operations directors/business managers to improve practices and results.

• Creates, in collaboration with the Vicariate Team, including the Regional Director (RD), Marketing and Enrollment Manager (MEM) and the Director of Vicariate Operations (DVO), strategies, performance goals and implementation plans to produce or sustain excellent outcomes in financial management and operations for churches and schools.
• Monitors the implementation of tools and best practices to ensure accuracy and/or positive resultsregardingparish:
  • Budgeting
  • Financial forecasting
  • Cash flow management
  • Setting of tuition rates and fees
  • Tuition discounting and financial aid
  • Tuition collection
  • Staffing and expenses
  • Archdiocese of Chicago aid
  • Compliance with finance-related policies and procedures
• Work with parish leadership tomonitorprogress, analyzechurchand school results, and develop strategies for improvement.
• Advises onthe allocation of Archdiocesan scholarship funds and other subsidies.
• Advises parishes in completing annual budgets and annual reports.
• Advises churches and schools on staffing levelsrelativeto October counts and school enrollments.

Consulting:

• Provides consulting services on a project basis to parish leadership to improve financial and operational results.
• Develops financial models for the restructuring or reconfiguration of regional schools.
• Advisesonthe placement of operations directors/business managers and supports annual performance reviews of parish business leadership.
• Provides mentoring support, coaching, and training to parish operations directors/business manager.

Operational Management:

• Builds and manages effective relationships with multiple parish stakeholders and Archdiocese of Chicago (AoC) policy groups, including theAoCFinance Department,AoCHuman Resources Department,AoCLegal Department, School Principals, Parish Operations Directors/Business Managers, Pastors, and Parish Finance Councils.
• Identifies, records, anddisseminatesbest practices across churches and schools in coordination with other VFMs.
• Support Archdiocesan initiatives, such as Renew My Church.
• Identifies intervention strategies if there are issues withfollowingpolicies or best practices, and the proper use of financial tools, the accuracy of financial reporting, or progress in meeting finance-related operational goals.
• Performs other responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in Finance, Accounting or…