Chief Financial Officer (CFO) - Department of Agricultural Resources

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Boston, MA

About The Position

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) seeks an experienced, collaborative Chief Financial Officer to join its leadership team. The CFO reports directly to the Commissioner and provides the leadership, management, and vision needed to ensure appropriate operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, financial strength, and operating efficiency. The role oversees fiscal operations for MDAR and its sub-agency, the State Reclamation Board (SRB), and supports the Department’s mission to cultivate an equitable agricultural economy, promote a safe and resilient food system, and preserve a healthy environment. The CFO leads financial management, including policy, planning, analysis, and problem solving; approves budget decisions; and provides fiscal oversight of payroll, procurement, contract management, accounts payable and receivable, and federal grants. The position works with Division Directors to help ensure projects are implemented successfully within the legal and budgetary framework of state operations. The CFO oversees MDAR and SRB fiscal operations and staff, including direct supervision of five employees and indirect oversight of four Finance Office reports. The role also coordinates departmental human resources matters and serves as the primary departmental point of contact for IT issues and procurements.

Requirements

At least six years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration, or clinical management.
At least two years of the required experience must be in a project management, supervisory, or managerial capacity, unless satisfied through an equivalent combination of experience and listed substitutions.
A relevant certificate may substitute for one year of the required experience; a related bachelor’s degree for two years; a related graduate degree for three years; or a related doctorate for four years.
Ability to develop and administer multiple department budgets and spending plans.
Knowledge of the state budget process, state finance law and accounting procedures, and state procurement and contractual agreements.
Ability to understand, explain, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing assigned activities.
Knowledge of contract law principles and contract terminology, codes, symbols, and standard abbreviations.
Knowledge of general report-writing methods and ability to prepare and analyze financial information, draw conclusions, and make recommendations.
Ability to manage an office and daily operations, supervise staff, hire employees, and evaluate performance.
Knowledge of human resource management and organizational development.
Ability to lead tactfully, maintain harmonious working relationships, communicate effectively in writing and orally, and work independently.
Ability to handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, adapt to changing work situations and requirements, and solve complex problems.
Ability to develop and implement policies and procedures.
Experience with Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Ability to work with Commonwealth systems including Mosaic, CIW, MBA, and Platform.
Attention to detail and ability to use Adobe Acrobat Pro to create and modify documents, multitask, and work quickly and accurately.

Nice To Haves

The posting identifies the listed qualifications as preferred, including budget development and administration, state budget and finance knowledge, procurement and contract expertise, financial analysis, office and staff management, HR knowledge, communication, problem solving, relevant software and Commonwealth systems, and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily finance and administrative business operations for MDAR and the State Reclamation Board.
Supervise five direct reports and provide indirect oversight of four additional Finance Office reports, including hiring, daily supervision, and employee evaluations.
Oversee budgeting, federal grants, payroll, revenue, accounts payable and receivable, purchasing, ISAs, encumbrances, fleet management, IT, system security access, and physical space management in a hybrid work environment.
Provide fiscal guidance to MDAR and SRB staff through daily problem analysis and resolution.
Develop and approve agency budget submissions, including the Annual Maintenance budget and Spending Plans.
Oversee preparation for the Joint Ways and Means Committee Hearing and ensure the Commissioner is prepared to present budget testimony.
Ensure financial matters comply with state financial policies, rules, laws, Department goals, and required EEA approvals.
Review and approve Division budget requests and work with Department leadership on budget issues and final requests.
Serve as liaison to the Secretariat, ANF, OSD, OSC, State Auditors, Treasury, and DOR.
Work with the Commissioner’s Office and Division Directors on human resources matters, including hiring plans, job postings, employee reclassifications, and EPRS compliance.
Coordinate with Secretariat HR on special projects and payroll issue resolution.
Meet with managers to discuss resource allocation, staffing, and budget issues.
Serve as the primary departmental point of contact for IT issues and vet and process proposed IT procurements.
Coordinate with staff, external agencies, and vendors on departmental IT matters, including email, cellphones, hardware and software procurement, and IT projects.