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OVERVIEW:
 Strong
in staff, programs, reputation, and infrastructure, ISTE now seeks its next
Chief Financial Officer to strengthen and enhance the financial backbone of the
organization. This is an excellent opportunity for an accomplished finance
executive with significant management experience who believes in the importance
of technology in education and is eager to apply his/her experiences to a
thriving non-profit organization.
Founded in 1979, ISTE’s vision for the future of
educational technology includes world-class technology-supported curricula,
digitally savvy educators, safety on the internet, technology rich learning
environments, and work with a broad array of partners. ISTE is a nonprofit
member organization representing more than 85,000 education leaders and emerging
leaders throughout the world including teachers, library media specialists,
technology coordinators, administrators and other key strategic decision
makers. Members are supported with information, networking opportunities, and
guidance as they face the challenge of transforming education. ISTE publishes
books and periodicals, offers professional development opportunities, conducts
educational research and evaluation, and is home to the National Educational
Computing Conference, the premier education technology conference and the
largest of its kind in the world. In addition, ISTE’s advocacy agenda is
designed to educate, inform and influence policy and budget decisions about the
importance of effectively integrating technology into the teaching and learning
process. ISTE is unique and exciting in that it has the characteristics of a
service-oriented professional society, the passion and commitment of a
non-profit organization, and the innovation and creativity of an entrepreneurial
company.
With a distinguished board of 17 members and an
international presence, ISTE is in an excellent position for continued growth.
An operational office in Eugene, Oregon employs 64 staff and is run by a Deputy
CEO, while a small Washington, DC office has five employees and is run by a CEO.
ISTE boasts of recently having convened major stakeholder groups to develop the
widely accepted National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for students,
teachers and administrators. A current major initiative calls for a systemic
national conversation on the future of educational technology. Embarking on the
next phase in this strategic growth, ISTE seeks a dynamic new Chief Financial
Officer who will join the senior leadership team in ISTE’s Eugene, Oregon
office. Nestled in the Willamette Valley between the Cascade Mountains and the
Oregon Coast Range, Eugene is known for its livability, pleasant climate,
cultural diversity, and quality of professional services.
Specifically, in the first
12-18 months, the Chief Financial Officer will be chiefly responsible to:
Provide Strategic Management Oversight
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Work with the CEO, Deputy CEO and Board of Directors to determine
the financial and strategic direction of ISTE’s $12 million budget including
crafting a solid Financial Plan linking the strategic mission and vision to
measurable financial goals.
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Participates in
ISTE’s strategic planning efforts, ensuring that the desired future growth
is achievable and that internal operations support attainment of goals.
Create and manage the operational processes, information systems, and
evaluation mechanisms that are key to the continued successful
implementation of the strategic plan.
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Regulate, supervise and implement a timely,
full, and accurate set of accounting books for the organization, reflecting
all its activities in a manner commensurate with relevant legislation and
regulation and subject to any internal guidelines.
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Direct, lead and manage all accounting,
audit, tax, budgeting, forecasting, purchasing, order processing, risk,
inventory control and financial administration functions of the
organization. Oversee the development of the
organization’s annual $12 million budget, the execution of the annual audit,
and the reserve and investment accounts.
Streamline Financial Processes
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Examine all
functions and current and future revenue streams of ISTE and quickly develop
long-term plans for financial sustainability, encompassing grant income,
fee-for-service work, training and technical assistance, and other
services. Propose and implement additional internal or affiliated
structures to embody the growing portfolio of ISTE work.
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Implement continuous financial audit and
control systems to monitor the performance of the organization, its flow of
funds, the adherence to the budget, the expenditures, the revenue, the cost
of goods sold, and other budgetary items to ensure that the organization’s
assets are properly safeguarded.
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Prepare and present the annual budget,
forecasts, financial statements including regularly updated cash flow
statements, finance and business plans, feasibility studies, investment
memoranda and all other financial and business documents.
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Oversee the refinement and development of
fiscal policies, procedures, and practices to enhance the organization’s
efficiency and effectiveness, and suggest policy changes consistent with the
organization’s fiscal initiatives.
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Collaborate and coordinate the activities of
outside suppliers of financial services hired or contracted by the
organization, including accountants, auditors, financial consultants,
brokers, banking systems, attorneys, and other financial vendors.
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Conduct tax planning and ensure compliance
with all federal, state, and local corporate, payroll, and other applicable
taxes.
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Determine depreciation
rates to apply to capitalized items and advises management on desirable
operational adjustments due to tax revisions. Conduct interest-rate and
debt management to ensure related costs are kept to a minimum, and ensure
ISTE’s credit score and credit worthiness are of the highest level.
Provide Leadership and Guidance
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Oversee the Information Technology function
of the business and the warehouse which includes all shipping, receiving,
mail services, and inventory control. Responsible for supervising,
training, and directing the staff to ensure timely and cost effective
shipping of orders.
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Directly supervise 8-10 employees within the
Fiscal Services Department, including the IT Director, and indirectly
supervise 5 employees within the Information Technology workgroup.
QUALIFICATIONS:
The Chief Financial Officer position will take
over the responsibility of managing the finances of the organization, including
all aspects of Fiscal, IT, warehouse, and facilities management. S/he will be
responsible for successfully managing the current ISTE books, but will also have
the opportunity to reconsider the way the current department is structured.
This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned manager to create and expand
systems and operations in a large nonprofit organization that makes a major
impact on our nation’s children, educators, and educational systems. This new
hire will demonstrate maturity, leadership, and a commitment to the mission.
Creativity in providing first-rate financial operations support to a large,
national non-profit will be critical.
While no one person will embody all of the
qualities enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the
following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:
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At
least ten years of progressively responsible financial and operations
management experience in a highly complex, dynamic, and fast-paced
environment with large capital and operating budgets, diverse funding
streams, substantial programs, exceptional intellectual demands and
increasing responsibilities.
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Expertise in a wide range of management processes, including strategic
planning, organizational development, and financial management. Bachelor’s
Degree in Accounting, Economics, or Finance is a must, MBA in Business
Accounting, certified public accountant (CPA), or certified management
accountant (CMA) accreditation is preferred.
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Strong acumen in investment fund management, risk management, and purchasing
and inventory management and an ability to provide
dependable strategic leadership, a consistent financial perspective, and
active contribution to critical management decisions.
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Strong technology skills including knowledge of automated financial and
accounting reporting systems, database, and spreadsheet software
applications. Ability to closely monitor revenue side of budget and compare
it to expenditures. Knowledge of federal and state financial regulations
and of contracting, negotiating, and change management.
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Ability to analyze financial data and prepare complex financial reports,
statements, and forecasts in a clear and easy to understand presentation.
Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, internal auditing and cost
control principles including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
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Ability to facilitate group decisions, develop teams, lead group
problem-solving, and act as resource for complex issues. Ability to collect
data, establish facts and draw valid conclusion.
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Enthusiasm for both the creation and the
hands-on management of an effective, responsive finance operation. Strong
leadership experience in budgeting, financial planning and analysis, a
foundation in nonprofit accounting, and proven management skills. A skill
set that includes both competence in project and organizational budgeting as
well as larger strategic and tactical thinking. The ability to take complex
economic models and budget forecasts and present them with graphics such
that they are quickly and easily digestible by all decision makers.
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A
proven track record introducing and managing change and improvement in an
organization of a similar scope and size, in an efficient but nurturing
manner. Outstanding strategic thinking, intellectual, management, and
interpersonal skills. Superb oral and written
communication skills and demonstrated ability to communicate clearly
and effectively and work cooperatively with all constituents including:
customers, staff, management, board members, other employees, contractors,
vendors, ISTE members, and public and private representatives.
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A
deep ethical rudder and the ability to maintain confidential data; a team
player with the ability to manage time effectively; to innovatively problem
solve, creatively prioritize and independently complete tasks.
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Flexibility, patience, resiliency, and
tenacity along with an abundance of common sense and good judgment. High
personal and professional standards and a reputation for honesty and
integrity. Equal parts humor, patience and a steadfast commitment to the
idea that excellence in technology and education is a global ideal.
The International Society for Technology in
Education seeks to create a staff that reflects the diversity of the movement it
serves.
TO APPLY
Applications are due by December 6, 2006, but
will be reviewed as received. Interviews will be offered and hiring decisions
may be made before the application deadline. Applications, which will not be
reviewed without a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications,
your resume (in Word format), and salary history, should be sent to:
iste-cfo@nonprofitprofessionals.com. In order to expedite the internal
sorting and reviewing process, please write your name (Last, First) as the only
contents in the subject line of your e-mail.
More information about The International Society
for Technology in Education may be found at:
http://www.iste.org
International Society for Technology in
Education is an equal opportunity employer. |
