Chief Financial Officer (ASG)

Presbyterian Church USA•Louisville, KY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) joins the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation (“A Corp”) in a leadership role grounded in faithful stewardship, strategic partnership, and the ministry of administration. A Corp, founded in 1799, carries out its ministry through the Administrative Services Group (ASG), which provides a broad range of administrative and support services including finance and accounting, treasury, legal and risk management, human resources, internal audit, information technology, facilities and building services, printing and distribution, research services, translation and interpretation, and mail services. ASG enables ministry partners to focus on their core mission by managing both physical and virtual infrastructure. The CFO reports to the President and serves as an integral member of the senior leadership team, providing strategic financial leadership for A Corp and supporting the broader work of the General Assembly and its related ministries and agencies. The role fosters a culture of accountability, transparency, collaboration, and responsive service through thoughtful financial leadership, strategic insight, and operational support. The CFO oversees financial operations including accounting, treasury, budgeting, financial reporting, external audit coordination, and related administrative functions. This role partners with organizational leadership in stewarding resources, supporting long-term sustainability, strengthening operational effectiveness, and ensuring appropriate financial accountability, compliance, and risk management practices.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or related field
10 to 15 years of progressively responsible experience within a financial and operational environment.
Experience working in a faith-based, non-profit environment.
Demonstrated commitment to leading with integrity and the ability to drive a positive “tone at the top.”
Treats people fairly and with respect, listens, keeps commitments, inspires the trust of others, works with integrity, and upholds Presbyterian values and ethos.
Has an aptitude for Governance, Risk, Control.
Demonstrated ability to use risk management for the best interests of the organization and manage risk appropriately.
Ability to apply appropriate leadership strategies to effectively deliver business objectives while acting proactively and thinking strategically in anticipating organizational needs, recognizing the broader environment and contextual dynamics.
Strong sense of initiative, independence, closure, and ability to navigate multiple priorities tempered with patience for process.
High drive for collaboration and understanding that collaboration takes dedication and time.
Keen awareness of how one’s actions are perceived both internally within the organization and to external-facing partners.
Ability to process criticism and maintain integrity when working with internal and external partners and stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate complex financial data and concepts in a concise manner (written and oral presentations) to a variety of audiences (internal ministry partners, third parties, and the Church at large) as well as excellent listening and comprehension skills.
Ability to display an executive presence and effective in leading, motivating, and managing people to optimize performance, effectiveness, and collaboration.
Demonstrated and proven commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Positively develops relationships with stakeholders and communicates and gains commitments from internal and external stakeholders; uses emerging technologies effectively to collaborate and communicate.
Aligns ASG objectives with stakeholder needs, manages expectations, and applies professional and ethical judgement when engaging with stakeholders.
Ability to build constructive and effective relationships with a broad and diverse group of internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to evaluate, justify, and implement suitable strategic options to deliver business objectives, with the flexibility to respond to the organization’s needs.
Gets projects and initiatives to the finish line using a collaborative approach.
Highly operational orientation and the business acumen to evaluate financial and business indicators and translate that into action.
Demonstrated ability to think broadly and strategically, including the ability to translate long term goals and objectives into short term tactical plans and operational activities.
Ability to foster an environment of creativity and innovation, focusing on empowerment and support of staff.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field.
CPA preferred.
Membership in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is highly desired.
Good sense of humor.
Commitment to transparent communications with staff and with ministry partners.
Candidates from Presbyterian communities in the global south and other historic Presbyterian Communities of Color, preferably with theological training and fluency in languages other than English, are encouraged to apply.
Individuals living with disability encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Serve as an officer of the organization and member of the Administrative Services Group Leadership Team (ASGLT) that participates in key decisions pertaining to strategic initiatives and operational execution.
Foster an ASG culture of partnership and collaboration, results, innovation, and open, effective, and transparent communication.
Represent the A Corporation externally, as necessary, with auditors and financial institutions.
Ensure the A Corporation Board members clearly understand the organization’s financial health and sustainability.
Identify and deconstruct financial policies, systems and attitudes that perpetuate white privilege and racism within A Corporation.
Serve as the primary staff resource to the General Assembly on financial matters, in collaboration with the A Corporation Board and the President.
Serve as liaison to ministry partners and as a staff resource to General Assembly special committees, in collaboration with the President.
Maintain an active relationship with counterparts in other agencies, particularly the Presbyterian Foundation and the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program.
Align the A Corporation with General Assembly direction and with donor and endowment fund restrictions.
Collaborate on the creation of a unified budget.
Develop tools and systems to provide financial information to the President and make actionable recommendations on strategy and operations.
Guide cross-functional strategy among ministry partners to track, allocate, and analyze revenue/expense processes for accurate reporting and projections.
Maintain clear and proactive lines of communication, keeping the President and the ASGLT informed of issues related to cash flow, budget performance, forecasting, and operations.
Serve as the liaison to the Finance, Operating, and Budget Committee of the A Corporation Board, and support the Audit, Legal, and Risk Management Committee as needed, in collaboration with the President.
Assist the A Corporation Board in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibility; provide required reports and data and attend Board meetings.
Oversee financial activities including budgeting, reporting, forecasting, treasury management, accounts payable, purchasing, and payroll reconciliation, in collaboration with the Controller and other finance staff.
Develop, document, and improve all finance and accounting policies, procedures, and systems to ensure accountability, effectiveness, and adequate internal controls are in compliance with governmental, regulatory, legal, and GAAP regulations.
Provide executive oversight for the annual financial audit of A Corp. Serve as the accountable executive sponsor management oversight of the audit process.
Evaluate ASG departments for cost-effectiveness and make suggestions for improvements.
Explore, evaluate, and implement innovative and sustainable non-donor revenue opportunities that support the mission and ministry of the General Assembly, in collaboration with the President and ministry partners.
Work in a connectional and collaborative manner with Stewardship and Funds Development to ensure efforts are complementary, clearly differentiated from fundraising and donor development activities, and aligned with existing giving strategies.
Provide strategic insight through the identification and assessment of opportunities that extend beyond traditional funding models, grounded in faithful stewardship, aligned with General Assembly priorities, and evaluated to ensure appropriate compliance, risk mitigation, and the preservation of the A Corporation’s charitable religious purpose.
Mentor and develop the finance and accounting team of xx employees.
Work with supervisors in the finance and accounting department to set clear objectives that accomplish goals, promote a culture of service, and provide information and support to ministry partners.
Recruit, maintain, and develop staff consistent with business needs.
Actively demonstrate a posture of cultural humility and anti-racism.