Chief Financial Officer

The University of Louisville Foundation (ULF) is an independent 501(c)(3) organization with its own board of directors that receives, invests, and stewards donor gifts for the benefit of the University of Louisville and UofL Health.  

Our team of employees and Board members have a passion for UofL. We work to faithfully administer donors’ gifts in accordance with their philanthropic intent and partner with the University, donors, alumni, and friends to provide perpetual support to the University. 

Our employees enjoy being part of a campus community while working in a caring and flexible team environment with the opportunity for continuous learning.   We encourage an atmosphere of integrity, collaboration, teamwork, and professionalism where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

ULF offers a comprehensive benefits package including heavily subsidized medical plan, employer-paid life and disability insurance, generous employer 403(b) contributions, dependent tuition reimbursement, voluntary dental and vision coverage as well as generous time off (sick, vacation, paid holidays, paid winter break).

The Chief Financial Officer reports to, partners with and operates under the general direction of the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer (“ED/COO”).  The Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) is responsible for the financial operations of the Foundation.  This includes accounting operations, financial reporting, endowment accounting, bond financing, accounts payable, internal controls, annual audit and tax compliance.  The Chief Financial Officer provides strategic advice and assists the Executive Director and Board of Directors in establishing financial policies. The CFO is the key staff liaison with the University of Louisville’s business office and Unit Business Managers of the University of Louisville, and with bankers, external auditors, and with the Finance and Audit Committees. He or she also provides the financial services to the University of Louisville Real Estate Foundation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assesses organizational performance against both the annual budget and the organizations’ long-term strategy; develops tools and systems to provide critical financial and operational information to the ED/COO and make actionable recommendations.
• Ensures the integrity of financial transactions and financial and budget reporting of the University of Louisville Foundation, Inc. and University of Louisville Real Estate Foundation. Preparation of financial statements and analysis for the Board, Executive Director and the Finance Committee.
• Engages the ED/COO and finance committee of the Board to develop short, medium and long-term financial plans and projections. Develops and delivers financial presentations to the Board and constituents across campus.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Audit Committee in recommending the selection of the independent audit firm, coordinating and preparation of the annual audit.
• Oversees budgeting and the implementation of budgets to monitor progress and present financial metrics internally and externally.
• Tax compliance and accurate filing of tax returns for all entities and the Foundations’ retirement plan and payroll.
• Banking relationships with the Foundations’ treasury function, including cash management, checking and deposit services and loan negotiation.
• Maintaining accurate corporate financial records and maintain information and files regarding donor restrictions for endowments and restricted funds.
• Coordination with the Foundations’ real estate consultant concerning property management, real estate taxes and insurance, property maintenance.
• Responsible for the coordination and record keeping related to two tax-increment financing districts.
• Serve as legal liaison with Foundations’ counsel in a number of areas, such as the bond issuance process, debt financing and collateral guarantees, property acquisition and disposition, gift acceptance and planned giving documents.
• Responsible to ensure proper insurance coverage for the Foundation and its entities, including Directors and Officers insurance (D&O), Crime and Theft, Umbrella, Liability, Property, Automobile and Workers Compensation Insurance.  Work closely with insurance consultant and insurance agent.
• Provides leadership, supervision and development to staff, fostering a shared vision, acting as a role model and demonstrating organizational values.

Seeking an individual who brings broad financial leadership experience within accounting, compliance, investment and management. The CFO will be a seasoned and mature leader with at least 15+ years of broad finance experience including gathering and evaluating financial information and making actionable recommendations to senior leadership.

The following describes the ideal experience and attributes a successful candidate will offer:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or equivalent experience. Master’s degree preferred.
• CPA designation with the knowledge and experience necessary to manage and lead within a financially complex organization.
• Excellent communication skills, including to a sophisticated board of directors, strong analytical skills plus excellent organization skills.
• Significant experience providing oversight to audit activities as well as managing reporting, budget development and analysis, general ledger, and accounting for investments.
• Experience in a senior financial management role, partnering with executive staff to develop, model, and implement creative financial management strategies.
• Proven experience managing and assessing financial and business risk and making appropriate recommendations and decisions.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers.
• Proven track record of success facilitating progressive financial system, process and procedural changes within a financially complex organization.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively interface with senior management, staff, the board of directors, and various external constituents and partners.
• Excellent analytical and abstract reasoning skills, plus excellent organization skills.
• Not for profit experience, a plus as is higher education experience.
• Endowment experience highly preferred.

Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, credit check, verification of work history, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to the University of Louisville Foundation. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

No relocation provided.  Local applicants preferred.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.