Director, Finance & Administrative Services

Job Purpose

Responsible for the strategic direction of the Accounting & Finance and Supply Chain Services departments. Execute the mission and strategic plan of the Utility through the identification of critical issues, while remaining focused on the core values of the Utility. Provide leadership to these departments by developing department goals, establishing standards for employee performance and development, and budgeting for department needs, including:

• Accounting & Finance: direct all finance, general accounting, financial reporting, payroll, budgeting, financial forecasting, investment, debt management, internal controls, rate structure, and risk management activities.
• Supply Chain Services: direct supply chain activities, including coal and natural gas procurement, train management, and other procurement activities.

Primary Duties

Operations

1. Responsible for the direction of departments' functional accountabilities. Promote and support efforts for continuous improvement in those areas. Develop effective working relationships and partnerships with department managers and staff:
   1. Accounting: financial statements and reports, annual operating budgets and ten-year projections, investments, general accounting, payroll, internal controls and internal auditing
   2. Finance: bond, bank (including bank-qualified debt) and State Revolving Fund loans; investments
   3. Supply Chain Services: purchasing, inventory management, claims management, and public lettings including competitive bid processes
2. Coordinate development and tracking of the Utility's Key Performance Indicators.
3. Coordinate with the external auditor for the completion of the annual financial audit.
4. Direct administration of fuel supply and fuel transportation contracts. Work with natural gas procurement partner and local distribution company to coordinate supply for gas-fired units and develop appropriate fuel cost hedging strategies to stabilize fuel costs.
5. Coordinate with outside consultants and internal staff to optimize benefits and ensure compliance for projects eligible for grant funding or direct pay tax credits.
6. Lead and coordinate efforts to issue debt as appropriate to serve the Utility's capital investment needs and achieve financial targets.
7. Evaluate, recommend, and pursue appropriate investment activities for the Utility, including participation in MPW Pension Committee and work with pension administrator on annual reporting.

Communications and Leadership

1. Maintain relationships with auditors, bankers, financial advisor, bond rating agencies, bond insurers, and insurance advisor. Represent the Utility in exploring new financing or other relationships.
2. Prepare and present financial performance updates at regular Board meetings, routine employee informational meetings, and various customer engagement events.
3. Participate as a member of the strategic planning team to develop a long-range vision and plan for ensuring the future of the Utility. Identify Critical Issues for the Utility and work with departments to develop strategies to address them, reporting quarterly on the Critical Issues to the Board of Trustees.
4. Chair quarterly meetings of the Board Audit/Finance Committee. Identify appropriate agenda items and prepare/present meeting materials.
5. Administer policies and programs to achieve Utility goals and objectives.
6. Serve as an advisor to GM, directors, and Board of Trustees on financial issues.

Financial Management

1. Prepare and submit a budget to support departmental activities, ensuring budget performance and accountability.
2. Review each functional area's compliance with the budget on a monthly basis.
3. Plan, develop, organize, implement, direct, and evaluate the organization's fiscal function and performance, ensuring financial targets are attained.
4. Work with senior executives to establish financial and strategic goals and performance measures for the organization, including financing and investment strategies. Responsible for long-range financial planning, policies, and accounting procedures.
5. Spearhead Utility efforts in project investment and project financing of utility-scale infrastructure and capital requirements related to electric generation, transmission, and distribution, water production and distribution and delivery of telecommunications products and services.
6. Develop a reliable cash flow projection process and reporting mechanism that includes minimum cash thresholds to meet operating needs.
7. Participate in planning for future capital expenditures.
8. Oversee the Utility's Cost of Service and rate design studies for the Electric and Water utilities. Utilize results of studies to assist in appropriate rate design and rate adjustments. Review results of Cost of Service studies with Board's Audit/Finance Committee and present rate recommendation to the Board.
9. Participate in evaluating and recommending rate adjustments for the Communications Utility.
10. Coordinate and execute any necessary debt financing activities for the Utility. Manage outstanding debt and develop retirement strategies. Develop and oversee procedures associated with compliance of financing requirements.
11. Assist in administration of the steam sales contract and direct preparation of billings.

Organizational Effectiveness

1. Provide leadership, direction, expectations, and motivation for department staff that fosters an environment of strong teamwork and engagement at all levels.
2. Set goals, monitor work, and evaluate results to ensure that departmental and organizational objectives and operating requirements are met and are in line with the needs and mission of the organization.
3. Proactively identify department and individual employee development needs and implement plans to develop team members to achieve a high level of excellence. Establish a lifetime of learning culture that drives employees toward continual individual development throughout their careers.
4. Identify and prepare for succession planning needs within the department and develop employees as necessary to meet those needs. Assess, actively develop, and set goals with employees to assist in their preparation for future growth within the Utility.
5. Develop/maintain a culture of continuous improvement within the Utility. Utilize lean principles and other continuous improvement tools in an effort to maximize the efficiency of the Utility.
6. Track performance of department staff and provide necessary coaching, accountability, and performance documentation.
7. Participate as a member of the management team that negotiates the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Safety & Risk Management

1. Administer property, casualty, and cyber insurance program, maintaining appropriate insurance coverage. Work with insurance broker and insurers to optimize effectiveness of risk management efforts and cost of insurance.
2. Understand and mitigate key elements of the Utility's risk profile.
3. Serve as the Utility's Risk Manager.
4. Ensure compliance with all pertinent local, state, and federal regulations and Board policy regarding financial and accounting systems and procedures.
5. Oversee and direct audits, including to assist and provide all necessary information to auditors.
6. Develop/Maintain a culture of safety within the departments. Support the Utility's safety programs, ensure adequate training, and provide safe working conditions and practices.

Qualifications

Knowledge

1. Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. CPA certification and/or Master's degree in Business Administration preferred.
2. Minimum 8 years of financial management experience in progressively responsible positions, preferably in a utility environment.
3. Strong knowledge of FERC, GASB, and GAAP regulations.
4. Strong knowledge of municipal utility accounting preferred.
5. Strong knowledge of Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) markets, or similar electric market, preferred.
6. Strong knowledge of utility rate structures and cost-of-service methodologies preferred.
7. Strong knowledge of telecommunications financials preferred.
8. Strong knowledge of municipal bond financing preferred.
9. Strong knowledge of municipal investment vehicles preferred.

Skills

1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
2. Excellent interpersonal and listening skills with ability to build productive professional relationships and promote a team atmosphere.
3. Excellent financial analysis skills, including scenario development and comparison, sensitivity analysis, net present value analysis, etc.
4. Proficiency with use of Microsoft Office Word at an intermediate level and Excel at an advanced level.
5. Proficiency with Microsoft Powerpoint and strong public presentation skills.
6. Strong project management skills.
7. Problem identification, analysis, and solving.

Abilities

1. Ability to work as part of a team, as a team leader and a member of the senior leadership team.
2. Ability to think strategically but also focus on tactical and operational issues.
3. Ability to drive results and ensure work is accomplished properly, safely, and in a timely manner.

Other Position Requirements

1. As a municipal utility, it is important that MPW's leaders are true stakeholders in the community we serve. To this end, it is strongly encouraged that Directors live where served by an MPW utility service and be an MPW customer.
2. Must possess a valid driver's license.
3. Must be able to attend work on a regular basis.
4. Must be able to travel for work.
5. Must maintain a method of communication in order to be contacted by MPW outside normal work hours and respond, as needed, during emergencies.

Work Environment

1. Work environment is primarily in an office environment.
2. Must comply with all safety and site rules at all locations.