Vice President, Finance

Easton Utilities is currently seeking to fill the position of Vice President, Finance.

JOB OBJECTIVE: Directs and oversees all financial activities of the Commission, including the preparation of financial plans and reports, debt financing, and forecast management, while ensuring compliance with generally accepted accounting principles. Serves as a member of the executive leadership team. This role is also intended as a succession plan for the Chief Financial Officer, who is expected to retire within the next year, providing a structured transition for leadership continuity. This is a full-time, exempt position.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Must be an experienced leader and executive with appropriate industry financial experience, preferably in the utility field.
• Must be energetic, forward thinking and creative with high ethical standards and appropriate professional image.
• Must be a strategic visionary with sound technical skills, analytical ability and strong operational focus.
• Must be well organized, self-directed and politically savvy.
• Excellent communications skills necessary to relate to people at all levels of the organization.
• Must be a good negotiator with experience in contracts.
• Must have leadership skills to inspire and motivate others.
• Must possess strong management skills including staffing, planning, decision making, facilitating and process improvement.
• Must be a good educator and make self-available to staff for training and provide regular performance feedback to develop subordinates.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and possess the ability to work with lean and limited staff and be willing to do some detail work.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: Master’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting or equivalent; or ten years related experience in a senior level finance or accounting position required. CPA Preferred.

MAJOR JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, direct and evaluate the Commission’s financial programs and supporting information systems.
• Responsible for providing support to leadership in formal rate case proceedings in coordination with the EU Commission, Town Council, and the Maryland Public Service Commission. May include testifying on behalf of the company before various regulatory bodies.
• Participate in the development of the Commission’s operational plans and programs as a strategic partner.
• Evaluate and advise on the impact of long-range planning, introduction of new programs/strategies and regulatory action.
• Develop credibility for the finance group by providing timely and accurate analysis of forecasts, financial reports and financial trends in order to assist the Commissioners and CEO in performing their responsibilities.
• Enhance and/or develop, implement and enforce policies and procedures of the organization by way of systems that will improve the overall operation and effectiveness of the Commission.
• Establish and maintain appropriate internal control safeguards.
• Provide technical financial advice and knowledge to others within the financial discipline.
• Participate in continual improvement of the forecasting process through education of department managers on financial issues impacting their forecasts.
• Provide strategic financial input and leadership on decision-making issues affecting the organization; i.e., evaluation of potential alliances and/or acquisitions and pension funds and investments.
• Oversee the handling of bank and investment relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to optimize the Commission’s cash position.
• Develop a reliable cash flow projection process and reporting mechanism that includes a minimum cash threshold to meet operating needs.
• Serve on the Energy Risk Management Oversight Committee and carry out the responsibilities and duties of the Independent Risk Management Function.
• Be an advisor from the financial perspective on any contracts into which the Commission may enter.
• Foster a success-oriented, accountable environment within the organization.
• Represent the Commission externally to financial community, major customers, government agencies, and the public.
• Oversee insurance contracts/renewals the Commission.
• Coordinate with Electric and Gas Department personnel on the timing and purchase of energy contracts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Regular, reliable attendance is a requirement of this job.