Chief Financial Officer

Job Description

Job Title: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Agency: Finance
Reports To: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Position: Full-time, Benefited, Exempt

DIRECT REPORTS
Director of Diocesan Finance, Director of Parish Finance, Director of Buildings and Properties, Executive Director of Cemeteries.

OPPORTUNITY
The Diocese of Joliet is a thriving and growing community serving over 520,000 Catholics in 117 parishes across a geographic area of 4,218 miles in Northern Illinois. The Diocese is divided into eight deaneries serving Catholics in DuPage, Kankakee, Will, Grundy, Ford, Iroquois, and Kendall counties. Bishop Ronald A. Hicks, who has led the Diocese since 2020, and the COO seek a trusted Chief Financial Officer (CFO) who is mission driven, goal-oriented, and a dynamic Catholic finance leader to assist in driving the mission of the Catholic Church through the Bishop's vision of Catechesis, Evangelization, and Faith into Action.

JOB SUMMARY
The CFO, in collaboration with the COO, is responsible for ensuring appropriate management of the financial resources of the Diocese to achieve strategic priorities and long-term financial stability. The CFO will develop and manage the annual diocesan budget and financial plan for Diocesan staff, programs, and initiatives. In addition, the CFO will help develop and implement the diocesan strategic vision within the finance department, including supporting the development of long-term financial plans. In addition to overseeing the finance department, the CFO will manage and oversee certain shared service functions. The CFO works in a collaborative and consultative manner with the parishes and pastors, diocesan staff, and the Diocesan Finance Council (DFC). Finally, the CFO supervises the finances and administration of the temporal goods belonging to the parishes or other juridic persons subject to the Bishop. This includes (among others): Priests' Pension Plan, Parish and School Endowment Fund, Seminarian Education Endowment Fund, Catholic Education Foundation and the Cemetery Future Care Fund.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
• Supports Bishop and the COO by ensuring appropriate management of financial resources necessary to support the strategic priorities and long-term financial viability of the Diocese.
• Collaborates and consults with the pastors and parish business managers in support of parish financial operations, parish financial needs supported by the diocese, and financial issues arising at the parishes.
• Oversees financial planning processes, including providing input related to resource requirements to support strategic priorities for the Diocese.
• Supervises and oversees the Director of Diocesan Finance which has responsibility for all diocesan investments, accounting, treasury, audit and budget, pension, insurance matters, including overseeing the financial activities at parishes and schools.
• Supervises and oversees the Director of Parish Finance, which has responsibility for financial reviews of parishes, providing finance and accounting support to parish personnel, and analyzing parish financial data and information.
• Supervises and oversees the Director and Office of Buildings and Properties including diocesan and parish real estate and construction activities.
• Supervises and oversees the Executive Director and Offices of Cemeteries and ensures the proper management of all diocesan cemeteries.
• In collaboration with the COO, coordinates and participates in quarterly in Finance Council meetings, prepares materials and agenda for meetings, and submits thorough and accurate financial reports to the COO, DFC, and Bishop.
• Manages and supports the work of the DFC committees (Audit and Budget, Development, Executive, Insurance, Investments and Pensions, Legal, Property and Schools) the Building Commission, providing data and information and seeking advice and recommendations for the DFC and Bishop; Conducts meetings monthly or as necessary for each committee.
• Advises the COO and Bishop on the appointment of Finance Council members.
• Ensures that financial records are accurately maintained in accordance with GAAP, provided on a consistent basis, and audited by an external auditor.
• Ensures proper internal controls and risk management practices are implemented and maintained by all diocesan offices, parishes and schools.
• Oversees long-term budgetary planning and cost management in alignment with diocesan resources.
• Monitors financial performance by measuring and analyzing results, initiating corrective actions and minimizing the impact of variances.
• Recommends, develops and implements appropriate financial policies and procedures.
• Evaluates and coordinates governance and internal controls to further the mission of the diocese and protect diocesan assets.
• Manages diocesan cash flow and develops financial strategies by forecasting needs and identifying monetary resources.
• Acts as a supportive resource to the parishes and schools where parishes or schools are financially challenged and might lose their viability if not provided knowledgeable financial support and direction.

OTHER DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
• Performs other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
The successful CFO will be a self-starting, proactive, collaborative professional that functions in a positive, strategic, cooperative manner. Excellent written and verbal communication skills will be necessary. The CFO has the ability to develop trusted and supportive relationships with diocesan parishes and schools, including with the business managers, principals, and pastors that operate those parishes and schools. Finally, the CFO must have the ability to cultivate a faith-filled, collaborative, high-performing team.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• Undergraduate degree in Finance, Business or Accounting combined with an MBA and/or CPA required.
• 15+ years of work experience in a business setting. Proven track record in leadership and general management and developing and executing budget and operating plans.
• Experience in overseeing the financial activities of large, multifunctional organizations with 100+ people and an annual budget in excess of $50 million.
• Strategic thinker - sees beyond day-to-day activity and plans for change.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, including proven ability to attract, recruit, and develop talent.
• Outstanding communication skills, both written and oral.
• Since this is a ministerial position, must be a practicing Roman Catholic and an understanding of the functioning of a diocese, parishes, and schools is preferred.
• A faith-filled practicing Catholic who loves the Catholic Church. Service and/or experience on a parish or Diocesan council or board will aid transition to this role. Sensitivity to Church organizational culture will be critical to success.

SALARY RANGE
Salary range is $140,000 - $165,000 annual, depending on experience.

BENEFITS
We offer a competitive benefits package that includes:
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance, Basic Life and AD & D, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Defined Pension Plan funded by Diocese of Joliet, 403(b) Retirement Plan, Paid Personal Leave Days, and Paid Holidays based on holiday schedule approved for Blanchette Catholic Center.
• Voluntary benefits of Short-Term Disability, Critical Illness, Accident, Hospital Indemnity, and Permanent Life Insurance.

WORKING CONDITIONS
• Full-time, exempt, benefited.
• This position requires travel throughout the Diocese of Joliet, which entails some evening and weekend activity.
• As an executive position, flexibility of schedule and reliable transportation are required.
• Office hours are Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

To apply for this outstanding opportunity, please send a cover letter and resume to humanresources@dioceseofjoliet.org. Please reference Chief Financial Officer in the subject line of your email. No phone calls, please!

About the Employer

The Diocese of Joliet encompasses 7 counties of northern Illinois and has a Catholic population of more than 658,000.