Chief Financial Officer

Knoxville's Community Development Corporation (KCDC) • Knoxville, TN

33d

About The Position

With a mission to collaborate with the Knoxville community to create and preserve housing opportunities and strengthen neighborhoods, Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) is the housing authority and the redevelopment agency driving change throughout Knoxville. KCDC is seeking its next Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join a high-performing team dedicated to creating lasting impact in communities. From revitalizing residential neighborhoods to energizing commercial business districts, this position serves as a strategic and operational leader who works in close partnership with the CEO and the executive leadership team. This individual is responsible for attracting capital, leveraging the balance sheet and borrowing capacity, and ensuring strong financial policies, procedures, and reporting systems are in place. The CFO provides timely financial business intelligence and analytical support to the CEO and executive leadership team. The CFO will also identify opportunities for revenue diversification and pursue grants in partnership with internal grant-writing teams. An understanding of bonding, non-tax revenue streams and how best to leverage borrowing potential will be essential. The CFO oversees both the public finance practice and the accounting functions for KCDC and its forty-one corporations, fifteen limited partnerships, and one nonprofit, which collectively have a 2024 operating budget of $90.2 million and total assets of $284 million. They will directly manage the Finance Director and oversee the accounting team of thirteen. The CFO is responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory accounting and financial reporting requirements, overseeing annual audits, and guiding long-term financial projections – both operating and capital. The CFO will lead the annual budgeting process, working closely with senior leadership and managers to ensure budgets are realistic and actionable. They will also be accountable for all aspects of accounting operations and internal controls, ensuring records adhere to Generally Accepted Accounting and Auditing Principles and Standards. The CFO will join a tight-knit executive leadership team that includes a Chief Development Officer, Chief Housing Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer. Together, this leadership team is shaping the future of Knoxville’s communities – and the CFO will play a central role in ensuring that growth is not only impactful but also financially sustainable. The Chief Financial Officer of KCDC will be a seasoned financial strategist and operational leader with a deep understanding of finance within complex governmental, quasi-governmental, and private sector real estate. They will bring a high level of financial acumen, with proven experience in budgeting, strategic forecasting, compliance, risk management, and the oversight of sophisticated financial systems. Adept at navigating both big-picture strategy and intricate financial details, the CFO will be an intellectually curious and analytical thinker who also possesses the entrepreneurial spirit to identify and launch new lines of revenue. Demonstrated experience with financial modeling and capital attraction will be essential, along with a collaborative, service-oriented approach to leadership. As an organizational leader and manager, the CFO will lead with intention, executive presence, and the ability to inspire confidence. They will bring expertise in change management and possess the interpersonal skills necessary to quickly build trust and cultivate relationships across all levels of the organization. With a strong track record of empowering staff, building systems of accountability, and fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual respect, the CFO will be a connector; able to bridge departments, elevate diverse perspectives, and champion inclusion across the organization. A skilled communicator, the CFO will be articulate, approachable, and clear – able to translate complex financial data into accessible, compelling information for a wide range of audiences. Whether presenting to the Board of Directors, speaking with investors, or mentoring internal teams, they will do so with calm confidence and integrity. Their communication style will reflect a commitment to transparency, professionalism, and mission alignment. The CFO will also be a strategic problem solver and thought partner to the CEO and other executive team members. They will approach challenges with a solutions-oriented mindset, proactively identifying potential issues and developing data-driven, innovative responses, even in the absence of precedent or policy. Unquestioned integrity, sound judgment, and discretion in handling sensitive information are hallmarks of their leadership style. Above all, the successful candidate will be passionate about KCDC’s mission. They will understand the critical role finance plays in advancing organizational and community impact. Their leadership will reflect not only financial excellence, but also a sincere dedication to driving meaningful change. As we continue to grow, we are seeking a leader who believes stable housing strengthens communities and who wants to use their financial expertise to make a lasting impact for Knoxville.

Requirements

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible financial management experience. Experience should include direct responsibility for budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting, compliance, risk management, and oversight of accounting functions.
• A minimum of five years in a senior leadership or executive role with supervisory responsibility is also required.

Nice To Haves

• A master’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or public administration
• Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Demonstrated experience in a complex, multi-entity governmental, quasi-governmental organization or private sector real estate.
• Experience working with or establishing public-private partnerships, managing complex fund structures, and raising capital through innovative financial tools is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with the CEO, executive leadership, and staff to support KCDC’s mission and long-term financial sustainability.
• Provide strategic financial leadership to support the continued growth of KCDC’s operations, ensuring all financial decisions are grounded in sound analysis, aligned with long-term goals, and compliant with legal and regulatory standards.
• Identify and pursue diverse revenue sources; including grants, non-tax revenues, and creative borrowing strategies to expand KCDC’s impact and reduce reliance on traditional funding mechanisms.
• Support KCDC’s adoption of a new strategic development finance framework which includes strengthening KCDC’s role as Knoxville’s redevelopment and investment leader, fully utilize KCDC’s authority to drive local development and investment, lead the agency through the bond rating process, and become a certified CDE.
• Presentations to the Board of Directors of KCDC and its managed entities of key financial scorecards, regular financial statements and the annual budgets.

Benefits

• KCDC provides competitive benefits for health, dental, vision, life, short- and long-term disability insurance, with 8.8% contributions made to a retirement plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees