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,…