Finance - Vice President, Finance

The Vice President, Finance contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago (“BZC”) by assisting the CFAO in managing, reporting, controlling and evaluating all finance-related functions of BZC, thereby maintaining the financial sustainability of the institution.

This is a non-union, fulltime, salaried position, grade 14MT, with a hiring range of $160,980 to $179.000.   The Benefits Summary Information (for this position, please refer to the non-union, fulltime employee section): Benefits Table  You may also copy and past this link in your browser for ease of viewing:

www.brookfieldzoo.org/custom.czs/files/06/06337b2c-b3db-45a2-8eb2-f8362486bd0e.pdf

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

1. *Prepare financial reporting packages for the Management Team and Board of Trustees.  Assist CFAO with required financial presentations for Board and Board committee meetings.  Present financial results to the Board Finance and Investment Committee.
2. *Responsible for monitoring and identifying noncompliance with overall finance-related BZC policies and department procedures. Monitor systems to improve productivity, efficiency and security of all finance-related functions and systems.  Responsible for the development and maintenance of accounting and finance-related policies, procedures and controls.
3. *Provide strategic direction for the overall Finance Department goals. Identify areas for efficiencies and improvements and lead necessary changes/enhancements. Develop and maintain appropriate policies and procedures.
4. *Provide overall leadership to and management of the Accounting Manager.  Duties include, but are not limited to: selection and retention of Accounting Manager, creating appropriate annual performance goals, accountability, training and development, performance counseling and evaluation, recognition, wage and salary, employment actions (i.e. promotion, discipline and separation), scheduling and job assignments.
5. *Responsible for BZC’s finance-related relationships including banking and payment card processing.  Serve as Administrator/Security Officer of BZC’s Treasury management/banking systems and main credit card processing systems.
6. *Responsible for BZC’s relationships for audit, tax and actuarial Services. Responsible for coordination of the annual external financial, benefit plan and single audits, including preparation of audit schedules and related supporting documents, financial statements and footnotes. Conduct ongoing appropriate communications with auditors throughout the year.  Ensures completion of the OMB Federal Data Collection form and the filing of the benefit plan Forms 5500.  Attend and present at the Board Audit Committee meetings.
7. *Manage BZC’s annual budget process and the periodic reforecasting process.  Lead Budget Team members and senior management through the budget and reforecast processes from preparation to approval.  Review all submissions for accuracy and reasonableness. Conduct follow up with Budget Team members and senior management as needed.  Prepare management analysis of budgets and reforecasts. Prepare annual Board Budget Book, including all supporting documents and a three-year multi-scenario budget.  Present annual budget for review and approval by the Board Finance and Investment Committee and at the annual Board of Trustees’ budget retreat.  Prepare the annual budget submission to the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
8. *Responsible for implementing proper policies and procedures to ensure BZC is in compliance with IRS and state non-profit tax regulations and reporting requirements across all BZC operations, including but not limited to: tax deductibility of donations/memberships, tracking/reporting of fundraising events, auctions, raffles and contests, political activity and lobbying, executive compensation, identification and proper reporting of Unrelated Business Income activity. Oversee the annual Trustee and Employee Conflict of Interest reporting processes.  Responsible for the preparation and filing of the IRS annual Forms 990 and 990T and multistate charitable solicitation registrations and annual filings. Attend training to stay up to date on regulatory changes.
9. *Review and approval of BZC’s annual Federal Indirect Cost Rate proposal.
10. *Serve as Administrative/Security Officer of BZC’s financial system (Serenic Navigator) and financial reporting software (JET).  Write and maintain all needed JET reports for month-end financial reporting packages.  Write new ad hoc JET reports as needed for CFAO, Budget Team members or senior managers.  Provide training to end users, as needed, to improve their usage of the finance system and the financial data related to their areas.  Manage users and access.  Perform required quarterly user audits.  Attend user group meetings and training conferences regarding the system.  Work with outside consultants on system changes.  Lead upgrades or implementation of enhancements.
11. *Serve as Administrator for Procurement Cards, various vendor house accounts, Amazon, etc.  Maintain approved user lists.  Audit user lists.
12. *Assist CFAO with reviews and approval of Purchase Orders, Quotation Summary Comparison Forms, contract agreements and amendments, expense reports and petty cash forms to ensure compliance with BZC’s policies for procurement and expense reimbursement.  Assist CFAO with review and approval of payables ACH runs and payables checks.
13. *Responsible for interpretation and application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Uniform Guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget Compliance (OMB), as it relates to BZC. Responsible for staying up to date on applicable Financial Accounting Standards Board, OMB, Federal, State and other regulatory requirements for non-profit financial reporting. Attend continuing professional education training annually.
14. Serve as member of BZC’s 401k Committee.
15. Develop and implement actions to improve workplace culture with an emphasis on driving results and fostering inclusion. Actively lead employee engagement, talent development, recruitment, and retention initiatives.  Leverage organizational resources (BZC University, performance management systems, employee surveys, regular communications vehicles, recognition, staff meetings, etc.) to drive continuous improvement and positive outcomes.
16. Other related duties as assigned to assure achievement of BZC objectives.

 * Denotes Essential Job Function(s)

POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or other directly relevant field required. 
• Registered CPA or CPA license. 
• 10 years or more directly related experience at a comparable level, including staff supervision. 
• Solid financial and analytical skills. Solid, technical accounting skills or experience, including strong knowledge of non-profit GAAP, OMB, IRS, UPMIFA and other non-profit accounting regulations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including verbal, written, and effective listening skills required.
• English fluency at a professional working proficiency.  Requires an articulate, well-spoken individual, capable of effectively representing the organization to various audiences, both within and outside the organization.  Ability to deal effectively and tactfully with others. 
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook and, in particular, Excel.
• Experience with automated accounting and budgeting systems. 
• Ability to work under pressure, juggle multiple priorities, and meet deadlines. 
• Strong organizational, follow-up and follow-through skills.  Attention to detail, accuracy, completeness.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of privileged information. 
• High integrity; strong work ethic.
• Cultural competency; ability and/or experience work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.

Desired/Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or directly related field highly preferred.  
• Experience with financial reporting to a Board of Trustees and/or subcommittees (i.e., Audit, Finance and Investment, etc.) desirable. 
• Experience with non-profit accounting, including non-profit accounting standards, fund accounting and preparation of IRS Form 990 and 990T.
• Experience with Serenic Navigator, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, and/or JET Financial Reporting.
• Public Accounting Experience.
• Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  This position description summarizes the primary duties and functions of this position, but should not be considered a complete listing of every duty the incumbent may ever be called upon to perform. Incumbent is required to gain an intimate understanding of the organization, its mission, vision, values, and operating philosophies, and how Finance activities impact the operation of Brookfield Zoo Chicago and individual departments.  Position has a high level of responsibility and accountability for compliance, monitoring and implementation of procedures, both from a financial and operational standpoint.  Position requires high level of attention to detail and accuracy and significant amount of follow-up.  Must be responsible, self-motivated, confident, and have very strong people and leadership skills.  Incumbent must have a commitment to excellence.  Work weeks of 45+ hours are not unusual and may include some extended days or weekends to meet established deadlines or for special projects.  Individual is expected to be present and visible at BZC events and assist in other areas of Finance as needed.  Some local travel may be required. 

The mission of Brookfield Zoo Chicago is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people to wildlife and nature.  Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, American Humane, and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums.   Brookfield Zoo Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If interested in being considered for this opportunity, please visit the BZC Career Center to obtain more details about the position and to apply by submitting your profile.  Please visit our website at brookfieldzoo.org/careers.  Please look for requisition number 131.

We are pleased that you are considering joining our dedicated team at Brookfield Zoo Chicago (BZC). Below is a summary of Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s generous employee benefits.

Non-Union Full-Time Employees

Eligibility: Eligible employee is defined as a regular, full-time employee who is regularly scheduled to work a minimum of 35 hours or more per week. Coverage begins on the date of hire. Have a family? You can also cover your spouse, civil union partner, and/or eligible children who are under age 26.

Time away from work: Paid Time Off (PTO) is accrued based on Years of Service and pay grade on a per-pay-period basis starting on the date of hire. Unused PTO time carries forward from one calendar year to the next to a specified maximum. Below are the equivalent amounts employees, who work 8 hours per day or 10 hours per day, earn in a 12-month period. An employee’s pay grade is included in the job description.