Director of Finance-North and Northwest Region

Description

The Director Finance reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine (NM), adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Director Finance will oversee the financial operations, financial analysis, and the maintenance of internal financial controls for her/his area of responsibility and ensure compliance with system-wide financial and accounting policies and controls. Develop and execute financial strategies, systems and processes that help to optimize current and future performance. Assist in the alignment of limited capital resources with strategic initiatives and in the optimization of finance unit opportunities. Implement the system’s expense control methods at their finance unit and contribute to NM’s optimal performance and strategic positioning efforts.

Responsibilities

• Meet finance unit objectives by overseeing completion of the full range of unit assignments.
• Review, edit, and enhance work prepared by members of the finance team.
• Oversee the financial performance and reporting function of the assigned finance unit. Prepare and review reports on performance, analyze variances and, present data and/or make recommendations on actions that will ensure financial goals are met.
• Develop, in collaboration with system leadership, short- and long-range, strategic financial plans, including capital budgets and capital management in accordance with the annual and long-range strategic planning of the system. Ensure the completion of the annual operating budget and monitor actual performance in comparison to budget.
• Assist with repositioning efforts (integration of other entities, process improvement work) and facilitate other system initiatives as they might apply to the finance unit by involving the appropriate individuals in these efforts and by leading and/or participating in meetings to identify issues, brainstorm ideas, and create and implement action plans.
• Supervise, investigate, analyze and present recommendations with respect to cost and revenue initiatives, including processes, re-engineering and detailed reviews.
• Maintain quality service standards as well as analyzing and resolving quality and customer service problems, identifying trends, and recommending and implementing system improvements.
• Meet with the appropriate operating unit CFOs to ensure all involved understand and are on-board with results, issues, challenges, action plans, etc.
• Serve as liaison between a specific finance unit and auditors to ensure audits, quarterly reviews and other reporting are completed in a timely manner.
• Serve as a resource/liaison for operating unit CFOs, as well as departments and functions that directly affect the financial performance of an operating unit, by providing guidance on policies and procedures, input on financial statement preparation, consultation on specific finance-related issues or day-to-day operational issues, notification to appropriate personnel regarding material issues impacting net reimbursement, etc.
• Prepare and present materials for meetings with operating units, or as needed for Board-level committees.
• Research and understand changes in the healthcare regulatory environment in order to work with operating unit finance to determine appropriate actions, as needed. Research and interpret changes in accounting policy, applying observations and recommendations to operational issues.
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, adopting and implementing industry best practices, and participating in professional societies.
• Protect operations by keeping financial and patient information confidential.
• Support Northwestern Medicine’s finance operations as an integrated team leader.
  
  

Qualifications

Required:

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business
• 7 years progressive financial leadership experience as a finance director, controller, similar senior level finance position, or similar progression of management responsibilities
• Excellent oral and written communication, analytical, collaboration, and facilitation skills
• Demonstrated willingness to share information
• Demonstrated commitment to following GAAP and NM system policies in all financial decisions
• Ability to summarize complex issues into key elements
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, preferably PeopleSoft
• Experience with a healthcare revenue cycle system, preferably EPIC
• Leadership and flexibility managing relationships in large corporate environment
  
  

Preferred

• Master’s degree in accounting, Finance, or Business
• CPA with proof of maintaining education requirements
• Fellow certification (FHFMA) in Healthcare Financial Management Association
• Progressive financial leadership experience in healthcare
  
  

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

If we offer you a job, we will perform a background check that includes a review of any criminal convictions. A conviction does not disqualify you from employment at Northwestern Medicine. We consider this on a case-by-case basis and follow all state and federal guidelines.