Washington, DC

Chief Financial Officer – National League of Cities

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The National League of Cities (NLC) is seeking a dynamic, experienced person to lead the organization’s growing financial and administrative operations. This person will provide strategic guidance as a member of the senior leadership team, as well as direct the finance, business analytics, information technology, facilities and grants management functions that support their advocacy, programs, and services for members.

The Organization

NLC is the voice of America’s cities, towns, and villages, representing more than 200 million people across the country. NLC’s mission is to relentlessly advocate for the interests of cities by strengthening local leadership, influencing federal policy, and driving innovative solutions. 

With close to 100 years of dedication to the strength, health, and advancement of local governments, NLC has gained the trust and support of close to 2,500 member cities across the nation. The organization works on some of our Country’s most challenging and complex issues by working with America’s talented, and dynamic municipal leaders.

NLC has also made a strong commitment to equity – including launching the Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL) program which provides training directly to city officials and staff on how to operationalize racial equity. There are four values that serve as the foundation for NLC’s work: impact, inclusion, innovation, and influence.

The organization has been on a steady growth trajectory for the last decade, with significant expansion of its impact since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, NLC turned its full attention to supporting cities weathering the COVID-19 economic, social, and health emergency. This was reflected through an organization-wide effort to secure direct, flexible federal aid to every city, town, and village in America – regardless of size. This campaign resulted in the successful passage of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and has transformed NLC’s operations and accelerated its strategic impact.

To help support this rapid growth, NLC is making necessary investments in operational infrastructure, including the hiring of an experienced Chief Financial Officer to develop, manage and oversee critical functions for the organization.

Headquartered on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, NLC is governed by a board of 61 elected leaders and state municipal league directors from across the country. NLC primarily receives funding through member dues, grants, contributions, program services, and investments. NLC employs a staff of approximately 150, with an annual budget of $45 million. For additional information, please visit https://www.nlc.org/.

The Position

Reporting to the CEO, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is an integral member of the executive leadership team and a strategic advisor to the CEO. The leadership team is comprised of seven individuals leading the organization’s core functions – advocacy, research, technical assistance, member services, and communications — and the President/CEO of NLC Mutual Insurance Company. The CFO oversees the 15-person Finance and Operations team and has three direct reports: Controller, Director of Facilities/IT, Director of Business Analytics and Data.

The CFO oversees the organization’s business operations functions and will provide expert leadership and strategic guidance to support key organizational decisions. The CFO will advance the operational sustainability of the organization by developing, implementing, and monitoring effective systems of financial and administrative control and decision-making. The successful candidate has executive-level experience in nonprofit, membership association and/or local government management. The position requires decisive leadership and strong management and collaboration skills.

Key Priorities and Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership

  • Serve on the organization’s leadership team, helping to develop and execute business plans and strategies that advance our priorities and intended impact.
  • Deeply understand and proactively sustain NLC’s complex business structure and provide leadership across all business operations.
  • Serve as a strategic thought partner and collaborator with the leadership team to consider and advance strategic priorities and develop financial models, forecasts, operations innovations, and implementation plans that support the on-going stability of the organization.
  • Staff the Finance, Investment, and Audit Committee and make recommendations to the Board.
  • Ensure accurate, timely, and responsive implementation of operations services and processes.
  • Interpret business operations information and communicate them effectively across the organization.
  • Establish the annual operating budget (for approval by the General Board).
  • Lead the evaluation and development of cost-effective and efficient systems and processes that maximize return on investment and organizational impact.

Financial Strategy and Management

  • Lead the design and assessment of financial strategy and performance as it relates to managing against the annual budget and long-term goals while fostering organizational effectiveness and sustainability.
  • Oversee grants and contracts management, including designing program budgets for proposals and business plans, negotiating contracts and awards, forecasting spending, providing decision support to program management, and ensuring compliance with funder requirements.
  • Responsible for the timely and accurate development of budgets, financial reports, and models that will assist the CEO, Board, and other senior managers in making informed program strategy, resource allocation, and investment decisions.
  • Oversee day-to-day finance and accounting operations including general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, fixed assets, prepaids, credit card expense reporting, payroll processing, monthly reconciliation, and monthly and year-end close.
  • Oversee the annual Uniform Guidance and Employee Benefits Plan Audits.
  • Supervise the investment portfolio, including monitoring investment policies set by the board and collaborating with investment account managers.
  • Complete financial analyses, develop future forecasts, and recommend financial policy development.
  • Supervise budget development, manage expenditures, and assist the leadership team in monitoring income and expenses to budgets.
  • Oversee internal systems, controls, processes, and procedures to ensure the integrity, compliance, and accuracy of financial information and reporting.

Operations

  • Provides strategic guidance on operational planning, resource allocation, and policy matters.
  • Collaborate with the management team to develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, processes, and resources to support the growth objectives of NLC.
  • Oversee all aspects of facilities management including lease negotiations, facility maintenance, space/resources allocation to ensure smooth operations at NLC’s headquarters.
  • Advise on policies and procedures that may impact facility usage (e.g., hybrid work policy).
  • Lead risk management efforts including evaluation of corporate insurance and business continuity/disaster recovery planning.
  • Lead and manage technology investments, policies, and contract vendors.
  • Evaluate current technology systems and determine their effectiveness and use in the organization.
  • Manage operational policies, audits, and procedures.

Team Management/Relationship Building

  • Foster organizational, culture, and values focused on results, learning, and improvement.
  • Cultivate and steward key relationships in collaboration with the CEO, including the Board of Directors, industry, funding, and operations leaders.
  • Manage and support the professional development of the Data and Business Analytics and Finance and Operations Teams. Establish teams that are results-oriented and highly effective to achieve financial implementation goals and support and enhance the finance, grants, and information technology teams. Supervisory oversight includes mentorship, coaching, feedback, effective delegation, and talent development initiatives to support staff and their regular evaluations, setting and establishing meaningful goals and objectives.

NLC uses statistical programs and software including NetForum (membership database), Intacct and Concur (accounting software), Paycom (payroll), as well as Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

Experience and Attributes

Successful candidates for this position will bring a variety of experiences and attributes to NLC, including:

  • Bachelor’s degree required, with a degree in finance, business, or nonprofit management or related field preferred; MBA preferred; CPA a plus.
  • 10+ years’ progressive senior management experience in designing, implementing, and managing successful financial, operational, and facilities management systems.
  • Strong knowledge of GAAP, including intercompany transactions and exposure to nonprofit accounting practices.
  • Proven track record of success leading finance, information technology, data integration, risk mitigation/compliance, and administrative functions.
  • Strategic thinker and excellent listener with a strong ability to build trust among a wide range of constituents.
  • Ability to extract meaning from numbers and present analysis clearly and concisely to people with varying degrees of financial knowledge.
  • Strong project management and organizational skills with a record of developing and strengthening systems and processes.
  • Ability to work collaboratively, exercising good judgment, decision-making, and problem-solving skills to achieve shared goals.  Supervisory experience that includes team building, talent management, and leadership development.
  • Collaborative and forward-thinking leadership style with exceptional management skills.
  • Excellent communication skills – adept at analyzing and interpreting information as well as speaking, writing, and graphically conveying complex data to a range of audiences.
  • Commitment to working with people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.

Work is typically performed in a standard office setting working at a desk or table on a level surface. Minimal travel is expected. This position is based in Washington, DC and the selected candidate will be required to work at the NLC offices at least two days per week. The NLC team is now operating in a hybrid capacity with some team members working fully remote.

NLC cares about everyone’s safety and is often in public events. For this reason, they do require employees to be both vaccinated and receive updated booster in accordance with CDC guidance. Providing associated documentation will be a part of the onboarding process.   

Benefits

  • Competitive benefits and compensation package
  • 401(k) contribution with immediate vesting after one year
  • Generous paid time off and holidays

Equale Opportunity Employer

NLC is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons and to prohibiting discrimination because of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, status as a veteran, or any other protected status and/or conditions specified in federal and local civil rights laws.

Application Process

To apply, upload resume and cover letter by clicking here. For other inquiries, contact Adrienne O’Rourke.
No other application materials will be reviewed at this time. Resume reviews begin immediately.