Chief Financial Officer

Job Description

Job Title : Chief Financial Officer

Department : Finance

Reports To : President & CEO

Classification : Regular Full-Time

FLSA Status : Salary Exempt

Work Location : Colchester, Vermont Eligible for hybrid work (i.e. 3 days in office / 2 days remote). T his position is not fully remote.

Cellular Phone Reimbursement Eligible : Yes

Prepared Date : January 2025

Application Process : Please submit a cover letter and resume with your application, submissions missing a cover letter will be considered as incomplete.

Summary

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) works closely with the President & CEO to safeguard and grow Vermont Public’s financial resources, ensure its long-term sustainability, and support the organization’s strategic goals and mission. Reporting to the CEO, the CFO collaborates across departments and with key external stakeholders (ex. board members, auditors, donors) to align financial strategy with organizational priorities. The CFO leads Vermont Public’s financial planning and analysis, oversees risk management in finance-related areas, ensures compliance with regulatory standards, and maintains direct responsibilities to Vermont Public’s board of trustees. By providing clear financial insights and fostering a culture of transparency, innovation, and accountability, the CFO enables the organization to invest in impactful programming, reach new and diverse audiences, and maintain financial health.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

Sets and executes the organizational financial strategy by developing and implementing long-range financial plans in collaboration with the CEO and Leadership Team, aligning the financial roadmap with the mission and strategic objectives of Vermont Public.

Leads financial planning & analysis by overseeing budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling to provide actionable insights for effective resource management. Evaluates long-term economic trends to identify their impact on growth, sales, and market opportunities.

Oversees risk management frameworks to uphold accountability, transparency, and adherence to regulatory standards. Develops strategies and controls that protect Vermont Public’s long-term sustainability.

Identifies and mitigates financial risks, including cash management, revenue shortfalls, cost overruns, and monitors changes in the external environment.

Provides timely, data-driven financial insights and recommendations to the CEO, Board of Directors, and Leadership Team, ensuring informed decision-making and prudent resource allocation.

Financial Operations & Excellence

Oversees daily financial functions including accounting, accounts payable / receivable, payroll, grants management, financial reporting, and compliance, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.

Leads the development and implementation of standardized financial processes and systems partnering with the Leadership Team to streamline financial processes, optimize systems, and enhance reporting procedures, reducing inefficiencies and supporting broader operational goals.

Identifies, deploys, and maintains financial technology solutions, systems and tools in coordination with IT and other relevant teams to enhance financial oversight, reporting, and efficiency.

Ensures robust internal controls, compliance with regulations (e.g., GAAP), and adherence to organizational policies. Maintains thorough internal controls and compliance measures, including audits and financial policies.

Cross-functional Collaboration

Collaborates with the Leadership Team and Budget Managers to develop their budgets and financial goals & KPIs, ensuring these plans align with the organizational strategy.

Provides interdepartmental support delivering : training and guidance to non-financial teams on budgeting, expense management, and resource stewardship, reinforcing a culture of shared responsibility for financial health.

Promotes transparency communicating financial results and insights across departments through regular updates, fostering an understanding of financial objectives and constraints.

Works closely with the CEO, COO, and other senior leaders to support mission driven initiative and major projects—such as content expansion or audience growth—and provides financial expertise to guide decisions and maximize impact.

Champions inclusion modeling inclusive leadership by ensuring financial policies and investments reflect Vermont Public’s core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Team Leadership & Development

Provides direction and management to the finance and accounting team, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

Mentors and develops finance and accounting staff, building a high-performing department that emphasizes collaboration, continuous learning, and professional growth.

Sets clear goals, expectations, and standards of accountability within the finance team to ensure operational excellence and ongoing improvement.

Community & Stakeholder Relations

Builds and maintains strong relationships with external financial partners, including banks, auditors, tax advisors, and regulators, to secure favorable terms and ensure compliance.

Collaborates with the CEO and Board Finance Committee Chair to prepare and present timely, accurate financial reports to the Board of Directors, Finance Committee, and other relevant governance bodies.

Represents Vermont Public’s financial vision and mission at community events, forums, and media appearances as needed, reinforcing trust and credibility.

EXCELLENCE IN THIS ORGANIZATION

A high level of commitment and dedication to the mission of the organization and public media.

Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with co-workers and audience, supporting and enhancing a culture of belonging.

Preserving confidentiality appropriately.

Serving as an excellent ambassador for the organization, both formally and informally. Helping audience and potential audience members, donors, and potential donors connect with the organization.

Facilitating excellent communications across departments, among employees, and with the public. Fostering open and candid relationships with Vermont Public audience and donors. Managing conflict constructively.

Demonstrating a commitment to the continuous improvement of the organization’s ability to fulfill its mission and vision.

Demonstrating and encouraging creativity and enthusiasm for this work.

Expressing consistent, high-performance expectations for themselves, their department, the leadership, and the organization itself.

Developing a broad understanding of the organization’s departments, programs, and services to assist donors, collaborate effectively with peers, ensure respectful communication and teamwork among departments.

Supervisory Responsibilities :

Controller

Director of External Reporting and Compliance

Finance & Strategy department

Staff Accountant

Senior Accounts Payable Specialist

Senior Accountant

Account Receivable Analyst

Position Requirements

Education and Experience

Master’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance with 10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, 8 years of demonstrated leadership experience. Or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation is preferred.

Demonstrated experience managing multiple corporate functions inside a complex, socially responsible environment.

Expertise in non-profit financial management and accounting operations, , budgeting, forecasting, performance monitoring, financial analysis, and compliance (GAAP).

Experience with, capital deployment and expenditures, investment / endowment management, treasury and cash management, financing structures, and insurance.

Solid understanding of private and government grant accounting.

Demonstrated ability to think strategically about resource allocation, risk management, and growth opportunities, aligning financial outcomes with overarching organizational objectives

Proficiency in financial systems, dashboards, data visualization techniques, database management, and accounting software.

Excellent interpersonal skills with strong customer service orientation.

Demonstrated ability to create high performing teams.

Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Strong oral and written communication skills to convey complex financial information clearly and effectively across various audiences.

Working Conditions

Work is normally performed in a climate-controlled office environment with moderate noise levels (computers, telephones, etc.). No known environmental hazards are encountered in the normal performance of job duties.

Physical Demands

Work involves standing and walking for brief periods, bending, and filing, but most duties are from a seated position. There is potential for eyestrain from reading detailed materials on a computer screen. Deadlines, workloads during peak periods, and changing priorities may cause increased stress levels. Work requires finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination to operate computer keyboards at a moderate skill level.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Please note : This is not an all-encompassing statement of this position’s responsibilities. While it attempts to be comprehensive, new responsibilities may be assigned to this position at any time.

Vermont Public is a proud equal-opportunity employer. We work diligently to recruit a broad pool of candidates and to hire and promote qualified individuals whose personal experiences, characteristics, and talents reasonably reflect the diversity of the communities served by Vermont Public. Our equal employment opportunities apply to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. We encourage applications from women, minority groups, veterans, and people with disabilities.

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