Chief Financial Officer

Opportunity Guide
 
http://www.bickerdike.org
 
Community development anchored in the belief that low and moderate-income residents should be both participants in and beneficiaries of neighborhood revitalization.
 
Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation (“Bickerdike”) is committed to the redevelopment of the West Town, Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Hermosa and Avondale communities for the benefit of and control by the low and moderate income families in these areas.  Located in West Town, Bickerdike is deeply dedicated to preserving the ethnic and cultural character of its neighborhoods, while improving economic conditions of the community.   

Founded in 1967 by residents of Chicago’s near northwest side and representatives of local community groups, Bickerdike is a member-based not-for-profit community development corporation.  Membership is open to anyone who supports Bickerdike’s mission and lives or works in the community.  Nearly 600 individual and 43 organizational members annually elect Bickerdike’s 15-member Board of Directors from among their peers.
 
Bickerdike began by developing affordable single family homes.  While its mission has remained largely unchanged, Bickerdike’s work has evolved into a multifaceted approach to community development.  Bickerdike carries out its mission by providing high quality affordable housing, struggling against gentrification and displacement, promoting economic development by creating and preserving jobs, and advocating for additional resources.  In all of its endeavors, Bickerdike is committed to the principles of honesty, openness, democratic process, education, involvement and empowerment of community residents, self-worth, self-respect and pride.   
 
Bickerdike has a complex operating structure and the Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation is the parent corporation to:

• Bickerdike Apartments, LLC - the property management arm of Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation, oversees a portfolio of 1,000+ units of quality, affordable housing owned by 14 affiliated limited partnerships and is responsible for all funder compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Humboldt Construction Company (HCC) - a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bickerdike organized as a for profit corporation and operating as a full-service general contractor and carpentry subcontractor, specializing in residential and commercial construction, value engineering, and project planning and management.
• Rockwell Community Development, Inc. and BRC Affiliates, Inc. – wholly owned, tax-paying, not for profit subsidiaries both serving the General Partners in all of Bickerdike’s affordable housing developments.

 
The Opportunity:  Chief Financial Officer
 
The Chief Financial Officer is a newly developed position at Bickerdike, established in response to significant past growth and an anticipated growth trajectory that is significant.  Reporting directly to the CEO, the Chief Financial Officer is a member of the senior management team, along with the also newly-established Chief Operating Officer position (being recruited simultaneously). 
 
The CFO is responsible for all financial matters of Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates, including financial planning and forecasting, overseeing all compliance and recognition for government (federal and state) contracts, funding and private grants, and internal recordkeeping, controls and procedures.  There are four (4) direct reports to the CFO, including an Accounting Director, Asset Management Director, Humboldt Construction Director and Housing Development Director. 
 
The CFO also acts as representative of Bickerdike and its mission in the community, and will have regular interaction with the Board of Directors.   
 

Performance Objectives
 
Leadership and Management Objectives

• Lead and oversee the development and implementation of strategic and proactive, long-term and operational plans for all areas of finance.
• Ensure, monitor and coordinate short-term and long-range organizational planning and development efforts, including playing an appropriate role in strategic planning in conjunction with COO and CEO as appropriate.
• Supervise and mentor staff, imparting a clear vision and providing effective communications, resulting in a team environment dedicated to carrying out the objectives of the Finance Department.
• Provide overall leadership to the Finance Department, supervising four direct reports, and an overall team of 12 members.  Establish goals and accountability standards and regularly evaluate team productivity.
• Lead and manage staff through lens of flexibility, openness to suggestions, and the ability to resolve/mitigate conflict.

 
Financial Management

• Oversee and provide strategic leadership to all financial matters of the organization and its entities and affiliates.
• Develop annual operating budgets in conjunction with the CEO and ensure that the organization operates within budget guidelines. Regularly monitor budgets and cash flow statements.
• Maintain consistent reporting on the organization’s financial position and outlook and ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Ensure adequate accounting systems to meet the varied needs of Bickerdike and its subsidiary and affiliated entities, recommend and implement new systems and/or procedures as appropriate.
• Develop and utilize forward-looking, predictive models and activity-based financial analyses to provide insight into the organization’s operations and business plans.
• Ensure timeliness and accuracy of financial and management reporting for federal, state, city funders, private funders, investors, banks and foundations, including all report and supporting documentation.
• Oversee and ensure legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial functions, and create any systems needed to ensure this is accomplished for Bickerdike and all affiliated entities.

 
Other Performance Areas

• Serve as an articulate, enthusiastic and visible leader and role model for Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation in the Community.
• Represent the organization as required to financial partners, including financial institutions, investors, foundation executives, auditors, public officials, etc.
• Provide leadership as a member of the centralized management team, along with the COO, to the CEO.
• Communicate effectively and promptly with the Board of Directors in conjunction with and at the direction of the CEO.
• Act as the primary liaison for the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors, and ensure additional assigned Board committees are adequately staffed and supported.
• Oversee and ensure the preparation and communication of monthly and annual financial statements, and their presentation to all required entities and individuals, including the Board of Directors.

  
The Qualified Candidate
 
Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation seeks a dynamic and professional leader with a minimum of ten years of experience in a highly productive and progressive financial department.  This leader shall have strong business acumen in planning, finance, and budgeting, as well as knowledge of federal and state financial regulations.  This individual will also have the ability to analyze and interpret financial data and prepare financial reports, statements and/or projections, develop and implement strategic business and operating plans, provide audit process oversight and work as an effective team leader.  It is imperative that this individual fully support the mission of Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation.
 

Specific Requirements Include:

• A required Bachelor’s Degree; MBA and/or CPA and/or CFA is preferred, with a minimum of 8 years of experience in financial reporting, budgeting, auditing, fund accounting and management. 
• A personal commitment to the mission of Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation that also embraces its history, traditions and work.  Familiarity with Bickerdike’s community and/or housing development is strongly preferred.
• Past experience and proven leadership skills in team management, conflict resolution; mentoring and professional development.
• A problem solver with a demonstrated ability to lead in the investigation and resolution of financial problems.
• An approach to leadership that gathers information, consults others, analyzes options and offers fiscally viable opinions that reflect good judgment and investment in the long-term needs of the organization.
• Precision in managing detail, procedures, processes and policies.
• An exhaustive knowledge of the principles of accounting and business management, especially in a nonprofit setting.
• A “hands-on” knowledge of how to effectively work with and manage diversity in the workplace.
• Demonstrated ability to manage staff, projects, priorities and programs in a constantly changing environment.
• A positive attitude and the ability to be flexible in light of changing job situations/priorities and motivates staff to do the same.
• Excellent communications (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills, using diplomacy and good judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to set and achieve or exceed goals and meet deadlines.
• Valid Driver’s License, access to a car and proof of insurance for field work is required.

 
This position offers a competitive salary with strong benefits. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.
Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria.  Bickerdike is a drug free workplace.
 
 
To Apply
 
This search is being managed by Heather A. Eddy, CFRE, President and CEO of Alford Executive Search.  To apply, candidates must complete the online application at http://alfordexecutivesearch.applicantstack.com/x/openings and thereon submit their cover letter and resume.  No applications will be accepted via email. Questions may be addressed to Kelly Monahan at kmonahan@alfordexecutivesearch.com.
 
Alford Executive Search (www.alfordexecutivesearch.com) is a retained search firm dedicated to providing recruitment services of exceptional quality and strengthening the not-for-profit community through professional staffing solutions.