Salary is negotiable

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under the general direction of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as an executive leader and key strategic partner to the CEO and executive leadership team by leading the Agency’s finance department. The CFO represents Sound Transit to external stakeholders, organizations, partners, and communities; understands the complexity of working in a public agency, serving the public, and maintaining both tax revenue and fiscal responsibility. This position reports to the Chief Executive Officer, and collaborates to achieve the Agency’s mission and vision in alignment with the Agency’s values. The CFO provides executive level support to CEO, Deputy CEOs and Board.

The CFO creates a cost-conscious mindset among all employees and ensures financial stewardship exists in all decision-making to guarantee long-term affordability of the Agency’s voter-approved capital expansion plan.

Check out our brochure:

https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/chief-financial-officer-brochure.pdf

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Participates as an active member of the executive team in identifying key challenges and opportunities; demonstrates joint ownership of Agency decisions that ensure transparent financial stewardship to achieve Agency business objectives. The CFO positions the Agency for ongoing success by developing and implementing effective financial responses to the changing landscape of passenger operations, service delivery and project implementation. The CFO provides strategic advice to the CEO, DCEOs and other organization leaders.
• Plans, directs, and manages the external relations functions with banks, advisors, financial auditors and other financial institutions as necessary; negotiates, executes and monitors financial transactions, including debt sales, lease agreements, sale of notes, lines of credit and letters of credit; reviews and coordinates Agency financial audit programs, including financial statement, NTD, A-133, subarea equity, SAO financial compliance and performance audits; signs disclosure and audit statements on behalf of Agency; and manages Staff Audit and Reporting subcommittee.
• Develops, maintains and provides leadership in the development of the Agency’s long-term financial plan; recommends the long-term affordability model and ensures effective alignment of Agency resources and spending to achieve the Agency’s mission and strategic business plan.
• Drives performance through influence, relationship building, and rational thinking by creating an agency-wide culture of excellence that maximizes efficient deliverables; sets clear and challenging goals and ensures the Finance department collaborates and creates efficient cross-functional processes to advance the Agency’s mission; seen as a valued and collaborative partner across agency departments; guides and mobilizes teams to implement ideas and recommendations.
• Actively leads and manages the culture change necessary for creating a best-in-class transit system and acts as a change agent by communicating the need for change while modeling and enforcing new behaviors and norms for the department and creating and promoting an inclusive and positive work environment.
• Manages and leads the day-to-day operation of the Finance department, which includes assigned divisions of Accounting, Grants, Budget and Finance, Risk Management, and Treasury. Responsible for budget development and performance, financial management, treasury management, overall strategic direction, work plan execution, and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and ensures consistent application and implementation with Agency policies, procedures, and business practices. Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work of assigned staff; assigns work activities and coordinates schedules, projects, and programs. Translates broad organizational goals and strategies into operational objectives and practical action plans for the department; provides high-level direction in terms of department goals and provide effective strategic management and direction that supports those goals and objectives.
• Participates in organizational design, staffing, recruitment, and succession planning efforts, as needed and as the operating system expands. Coaches, trains, and motivates staff; facilitates staff training; manages employee relations staff performance and takes appropriate corrective action when necessary; and provides advice and counsel to staff and guidance to Agency leaders on establishing professional growth and development plans for staff.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with key stakeholders; represents the Finance Department to other departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; coordinates assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations; plans and presents materials to Board of Directors, Finance and Audit Committee and Citizen Oversight panel on policy and financial issues; serves as representative on various Agency Committees, Rating Agencies, federal oversight agencies, state oversight agencies, local jurisdictions, and partner transit agencies.
• Develops, administers, maintains, and oversees the annual budgets; makes recommendations and forecasts for future funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; reviews and approves department expenditures and implements adjustments.
• Demonstrates passion and commitment to championing Sound Transit values focusing on Collaboration, Passenger Focus, Inclusion and Respect, Safety, Integrity, and Quality.
• Champions and models Sound Transit’s core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the Agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience: Bachelors Degree in finance, accounting, business administration, economics, or closely related field and twelve years of experience In managing operations, programs, and services in finance, accounting, grant management, budget management, risk management, and/or treasury; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Ten years of staff supervisory, budgetary, and management responsibility. Demonstrated ability to participate in and advance goals and strategies of a collaborative executive leadership team.

Preferred Education and Experience:
Master’s Degree in finance, accounting, business administration, economics, or closely related field.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive Finance Department which may include Budget, Accounting, Treasury, Grants Management, and/or Risk Management services, programs, and functional areas.
• Multiple funding sources associated with government or quasi-government agencies including, but not limited to, long-term debt/bonds, tax revenue and public grants/loans and innovative sources of revenue.
• Initiating and leading change in a time of growth, operational scaling and rapidly changing context.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Advanced principles and practices related to program areas of assignment.
• Advanced principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Methods and techniques used in the performance of duties and responsibilities specific to the area of assignment which may include those related to Accounting, Finance, Treasury, Grants Management, and/or Risk Management.
• Project and operation management of complex financial technology platforms.
• Strategic policy and procedure development, management principles, and practices.
• Principles of business letter writing and report preparation.
• Basic project management techniques.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Principles of supervision, staff development, and performance evaluation.
• Demonstrated ability to work with and lead others to work collaboratively; create esprit de corps among different functions, with competing priorities, to achieve organizational goals, objectives and vision.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other senior agency leaders, department staff, management, Board members, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.
• Expertise in developing, executing and monitoring complex, at times, politically charged, long-term financial plans.
• Leading, engaging and motivating a highly skilled financial team.
• Tailoring style amongst the large variety of partners and stakeholders by using situational leadership.
• Ability to think broadly about a topic and gain viewpoints of others to ensure that a situation, task or goal and its potential impact is fully understood by all stakeholders.
• Strong active and equitable listening, problem solving and conflict resolution skills, proficiency in using self-assessment and self-management skills to participate effectively and constructively as a team member to ensure group success over individual goals.
• Capability to use critical thinking and rational processes to analyze and synthesize information in a concise manner, make recommendations on strategies to resolve issues and build complex cross-group/department plans to drive, track, and report execution progress.
• Elevating the financial acumen of the executive staff to independently perform their duties more effectively.
• Performing functions with a tolerance for ambiguity.
• Prioritizing resources and spending authority amongst a large and growing Agency list of requirements.
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
• Performing high-level exceptional negotiations and effectively partnering with other departments and groups.
• Delegating authority and responsibility.
• Conceptualizing, influencing, developing, and administering goals, objectives, guidelines, and procedures for the Finance Department.
• Analyzing and reviewing budgetary information to determine the impact on the Finance Department and the Agency.
• Leading large, complex projects and making decisions in fast-paced, difficult environments.
• Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.
• Maintaining confidentiality and communicating with tact and diplomacy.
• Responding to inquiries and in effective oral and written communication.
• Researching, analyzing, and evaluating new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Applying project management techniques and principles.
• Developing, monitoring departmental, and program/project operating budgets, costs, and schedules.
• Supervising, leading, and delegating tasks and authority.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:  

• Work is performed in a standard office environment.
• Subject to standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, and lifting of objects up to 25 pounds.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)