Chief Financial Officer

Executive Brief: Chief Financial Officer (CFO) - Oxford Company

Conclusion: This is a rare opportunity for a visionary, entrepreneurial CFO to join Oxford Company during a pivotal moment in its history. The chosen candidate will play a vital role in shaping the company's future success and driving value for investors and stakeholders alike. If you're a strategic finance leader with a passion for real estate and a track record of success, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey at Oxford Company.

About Oxford Company: Oxford Company is a leading investment real estate firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Since its establishment in 1998, Oxford has specialized in the acquisition, development, management, and sale of investment properties in the region. With a new focus on mixed-use development, Oxford is at the forefront of transforming Ann Arbor's real estate landscape. The company currently has $500MM in assets under management (AUM) with an additional $500MM pipeline over the next five years.

Position Description:

General: The CFO is accountable for the strategic financial leadership and vision of the organization and is the guardian of the financial well-being of the business. The CFO will partner with the CEO on how to grow the business and optimize the company’s assets, capital structure, and investments, focusing on outcomes that drive economic value for employees and stakeholders. The CFO will assist Oxford’s Chief Accounting Officer with accounting & tax policies and appropriate controls.

Specific Accountabilities:

Organizational Leadership:

• Provides leadership to the finance functions including developing a high-performing team.
• Provides advice to the CEO, Leadership Team (OLT), and Board of Advisors.
• Develops, communicates, and champions a shared vision and philosophy for the finance team. Encourages and rewards innovation, curiosity, and strategic thinking.
• Leads the finance team to successfully achieve the mission and annual plans of the firm.
• Contributes to the firm’s strategic planning and decision-making and leads key strategic initiatives, supporting increased revenue growth and asset value creation.
• Seeks opportunities for continual improvement in the provision of financial services.

Financial Strategy:

• Identifies and evaluates business opportunities including acquisitions, dispositions, refinancing, partnerships, and redevelopment.
• Builds the bridge between the financial and strategic objectives of the company to the Leadership Team.
• Transforms the mindset and perception of finance to that of a strategic business partner.

Corporate Finance:

• In concert with the CEO, the CFO develops a strategy for communicating with the financial and investor communities. Works with the CEO and prepares for investor presentations.
• Lead debt and equity raises to fuel growth strategy. Manages relationships with bankers and investors. Strategizes use of various debt structures to keep borrowing costs down while expanding available cash and debt.
• Finds opportunities to enhance the company’s cash and working capital position.
• Ensures prudent balance sheet management and is opportunistic about creating value through changes in the Company’s capital structure.

Accounting Leadership:

• Assists with the continued accurate and timely reporting of financial results.

Candidate Profile:

• Experience: A progressive, business-oriented CFO/SVP/VP Finance with very strong corporate finance and capital markets experience. Understands how to source, structure, and negotiate complex financing arrangements and how to build credibility and trust with institutional investors. Specific real estate experience required.
• Financial Expertise: Strong financing, tax, treasury, and investment expertise. Has a superior level of overall financial literacy in the nuances of presenting and negotiating financial concepts and legal agreements. Demonstrates a high-level understanding of financial strategies and structures.
• Strategic: A highly strategic business leader who thinks in broad business terms and makes decisions within the framework of the organization’s strategic intent. Considers future impact when weighing decisions and understands the factors influencing strategy.
• Business Acumen: Understands the corporate strategy and makes decisions and recommendations that deliver value and drive investor value. Able to apply this business acumen and creativity to identify opportunities in the market. Provides superior analysis and recommendations on a broad range of business, financial, strategic, and operational issues. A critical thinker and problem solver who is solutions-driven when looking at transactions and financing structures. Quickly learns the market and commercial environment and is opportunistic about continually driving value from the company’s assets and relationships. A strong negotiator.
• Leadership: A natural, highly collaborative leader who supports a culture of growth, respect, entrepreneurialism, and accountability. Committed to creating a workplace that attracts, develops, and retains high-potential talent. Leads organizational change and innovation that supports growth and financial performance. Serves as a role model for leadership behavior.
• Relationship Skills: A track record of establishing and maintaining productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders including investors, bankers, strategic partners, and service providers. Proven ability to challenge the status quo. Devotes appropriate time and energy to establishing and maintaining networks. Internally, can engage people across the organization to foster buy-in to new ideas and concepts; externally, is an effective and credible representative of the organization.
• Communication: An authentic and articulate communicator with high levels of emotional intelligence. Demonstrates an ability to adjust their communication style to suit different audiences. Ensures open, honest, and consistent communication of relevant information to the team and stakeholders. Able to present and explain complex financial information in a clear and concise manner and based on fact, which, in turn, supports informed decision-making.
• Focus & Values: Highly adaptable and entrepreneurial. Brings convictions around their ideas and not afraid to put forward their opinions but also flexible enough to adapt when the situation changes, or a decision has been made. A self-starter who can prioritize effectively, multitask, and meet an array of deliverables and deadlines. Committed to the highest standard of corporate governance. Works with the highest ethical standards and demonstrates an uncompromising sense of integrity. Is genuine, honest, humble, and respectful.
• Education: A degree in commerce/business/finance or a related field Postgraduate degree (MBA, CFA, or CBV) or professional accounting designation (CPA) is a definite asset.