Diocesan Finance Officer

Job Description

Rooted in our diocesan mission to Courageously Live the Gospel, the Diocese of Saint Petersburg is seeking a faith-filled, experienced, and mission-driven leader to serve as our next Diocesan Finance Officer.

This executive leadership role serves as a trusted advisor to the Bishop, Chancellor for Administration, diocesan leadership, pastors, principals, and diocesan entities on all matters related to financial administration, stewardship, accountability, and temporal affairs of the Church. The Diocesan Finance Officer helps ensure that the resources entrusted to the Diocese are managed with integrity, transparency, prudence, and fidelity to the mission of the Catholic Church.

This is a full-time, exempt, in-person leadership position based at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Position Overview

The Diocesan Finance Officer provides strategic leadership and oversight for the financial operations of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg and its related entities, trusts, and corporations. This role oversees financial reporting, treasury management, investments, insurance administration, budgeting, audits, risk management, and diocesan financial policy development.

The position collaborates closely with diocesan leadership, pastors, principals, finance councils, legal counsel, and external financial institutions to ensure sound stewardship and compliance with both Canon and Civil Law.

This role also serves as a key member of the Chancellor for Administration's executive leadership team, supporting diocesan-wide initiatives and long-term strategic planning efforts.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

- Serving as a principal financial advisor to the Bishop and diocesan executive leadership
- Providing oversight of diocesan financial reporting, treasury operations, investments, budgeting, and financial controls
- Developing and maintaining diocesan-wide financial policies and procedures
- Presenting financial reports and analyses to the Bishop, Diocesan Finance Council, boards, and committees
- Managing banking, borrowing, and investment relationships for diocesan corporations, trusts, and foundations
- Overseeing independent audits and parish compliance reviews
- Leading annual operating and capital budget processes for diocesan entities
- Managing insurance programs, risk management initiatives, and claims oversight
- Supporting pastors, principals, and diocesan leaders with financial guidance, training, and strategic analysis
- Facilitating diocesan loan and lending processes through the Savings & Loan Trust
- Serving on diocesan boards, committees, and corporate entities as - Treasurer and/or Secretary
- Collaborating with Human Resources, Parish & School Administrative Services, and other diocesan departments on payroll, compensation, benefits, compliance, and strategic initiatives

Qualified candidates should possess:

- A Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required
- CPA or equivalent professional designation required
- Minimum of ten (10) years of executive-level financial leadership experience within a complex organization
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience working within the Catholic Church, diocesan structure, or Catholic nonprofit ministry environment
- Strong knowledge of financial reporting, treasury management, investments, budgeting, audits, and risk management
- Knowledge of Federal and State of Florida tax laws
- Exceptional leadership, communication, organizational, and analytical skills
- Demonstrated integrity, discretion, and commitment to ethical stewardship
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a mission-driven environment

Preferred qualifications include:

- Experience within a Catholic Diocese or large nonprofit organization
- Advanced coursework or graduate studies in Church Management, Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration
- Familiarity with Canon Law as it relates to temporal goods and diocesan administration

Catholic Mission & Canonical Expectations:

In accordance with Canon 494 of the Code of Canon Law, the Diocesan Finance Officer must be:

- Truly expert in financial affairs
- Distinguished by honesty and integrity
- Faithfully supportive of the teachings and mission of the Roman Catholic Church

The successful candidate must be a practicing Catholic in full communion with the Church who is able to integrate Gospel values into all aspects of leadership and administration.

Following successful completion of the inaugural 180 days of employment, and upon demonstration of competence, expertise, and integrity, the Bishop may initiate the canonical confirmation process for a renewable five-year appointment.

Work Environment

This position is based at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in St. Petersburg, Florida and requires regular in-person collaboration. Travel throughout the five counties of the Diocese is occasionally required.

This is not a remote position.

About the Employer

Our Mission

The people of God, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg, in union with our bishop, are transformed by Baptism, sealed with the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Word and Eucharist to promote the incarnation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.