Posted on January 24, 2013

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Chief Financial Officer

Founded in 1996, The New York Restoration Project (NYRP) carries out Founder Bette Midler’s dream of a cleaner, greener New York City. Known as the “conservancy of forgotten places,” NYRP restores, revitalizes and develops under-resourced parks and community gardens throughout the five boroughs, working to ensure that every New York City resident, family and neighborhood has access to vibrant, green spaces. By providing enriching educational and community programming, NYRP works to instill both individual and civic respect for nature and responsibility for contributing to New York City’s environmental sustainability. Over the past 17 years, NYRP has become respected as one of the lead partners in New York City’s greening efforts. Since 2005, NYRP’s budget has grown from $5M to $10M. The organization is New York City’s key partner in the MillionTreesNYC project. In addition, it has continued to refurbish community gardens in underserved neighborhoods and rehabilitate city parks in Northern Manhattan. Under the leadership of Executive Director, Amy Freitag, NYRP has the opportunity to build on the relationships developed through MillionTreesNYC, expanding its work and increasing its impact on the quality of life in New York City and beyond.

Position Summary:

As a member of the executive leadership team, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for financial planning and modeling processes, and serves as a primary advisor to the Executive Director and to the Board of Directors on financial and business matters. S/he will be responsible for overseeing the fiscal and fiduciary responsibilities for the organization. This includes responsibility for year-end financial activities, executive management reporting, developing and administering the annual budget, financial modeling, treasury responsibilities, audits and risk management activities. The CFO provides overall direction and management to the accounting, risk management, finance, purchasing and facilities functions to ensure that business and financial objectives are achieved, consistent with the policies and procedures, and within ethical guidelines of the organization. This position provides guidance on all business transactions and contractual negotiations that invo lves NYRP and two subsidiary entities, the New York Garden Trust and the Peter J. Sharp Boathouse, Inc. The CFO is also responsible for the management of NYRP’s for profit entity, New York Restoration Enterprises, which operates the New Leaf Restaurant and Bar in Fort Tryon Park.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop strategic business plans and financial forecasts relating to financial management;
• Develop/maintain organization’s financial management policies, ensuring compliance with applicable law and company policy;
• Responsible for accurate financial reporting, including financial statements, and state and federal reporting obligations;
• Responsible for supporting operational and managerial accounting and cost accounting;
• Plans, develops, directs and evaluates the organization’s fiscal function and performance, including management of the forecast and budget processes;
• Provide financial leadership and advice on decisions and issues, as well as on the impact of long-range planning, new programs/strategies, and regulatory action;
• Direct and manage the financial planning & reporting, accounting, taxes, budgeting, procurement, leasing, investment, internal auditing, insurance, and records management of the organization;
• Manage and coordinate legal negotiations related to all aspects of NYRP operations including the administration of the New York Restoration Garden Trust that holds title to 52 properties located throughout the five boroughs of New York City and the Peter J. Sharp Boathouse, Inc. the corporation that holds title to the facility located on the Harlem River;
• Direct and manage the staff and consultants that operate the New Leaf Restaurant and Bar and assist with long term strategic planning to maximize the value of this for-profit enterprise as an income stream to NYRP.

Strategy

• Assess organizational performance against both the annual budget and the company's long-term strategy. Develop tools and systems to provide critical financial and operational information and make actionable recommendations on both strategy and operations;
• Serve as strategic business partner to the Executive Director, not only on financial matters, but also provide objective counsel more broadly across key strategic areas. Provide support, guidance and assistance for organizational growth;
• Assist in establishing yearly objectives and meeting agendas, and selecting and engaging outside consultants (including auditors, investment advisors, insurance brokers, government contract experts, and financial systems providers);
• Oversee long-term budgetary planning and costs management aligned with the company's strategic plan, especially as the organization considers sponsorships, potential funding sources, and collaborations with external organizations;
• Collaborate cross-functionally with each member of executive leadership team to achieve organization objectives;
• Guide analysts and consultants to design new models, architectures and approaches on strategic areas including pricing, consortia, and new business;
• Assess the ongoing performance of New York Restoration Enterprises (New Leaf Restaurant and Bar) and make recommendations for future operations.
• Assess the ongoing capital needs and operations of the Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse and make recommendations for future disposition of the asset.

Financial and Operational Management:

• Oversee accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems, ensuring compliance with appropriate Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and state and federal regulatory requirements.
• Manage cash flow and forecasting. Develop a reliable cash flow projection process and reporting mechanism that includes minimum cash threshold to meet operating needs. Lead banking relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance liquidity.
• Oversee operational planning including budgeting and the implementation of budgets and forecasts so as to monitor progress and present financial metrics both internally and externally.
• Lead selected operational areas including purchasing, permissions, facilities and real estate.
• Recommend and implement financial policies, negotiate major contracts and oversee/manage all budget, treasury, payroll, accounting, grant and contracts management and procurement.

Required Qualifications:

The CFO will be a seasoned, influential leader with broad accounting, finance and treasury experience, of which, ideally, at least 2 years were in a nonprofit environment, and which should be supplemented by experience gathering and evaluating financial information and making actionable recommendations to senior leadership. Previous experience as CFO is preferable, ideally with growing organizations of $5M-$30M revenue. S/he will have experience managing the finance function (accounting, financial planning and analysis, budgeting, control, and reporting) as well as operational teams.

The CFO will also have the following experience and attributes:

• An MBA or a CPA is preferred.
• Proven track record of team management , and upgrading capability as organization grows
• Demonstrated expertise and experience with tactical management across projects, platforms, and funding sources.
• Knowledge of applicable regulations as well as operations of funding agencies.
• Experience with complex financial management systems.
• Demonstrable passion for the company's mission; a hands-on manager with high degree of integrity and a strong sense of ethics.
• Extensive experience with management across multiple business segments, including supporting revenue diversification and guiding analysts to develop meaningful project-level financial reporting
• Nonprofit experience is strongly preferred.
• Superior analytical skills and experience interpreting a strategic vision into an operational model. Ability to synthesize complex information.
• Deep understanding of and experience with corporate and nonprofit financial audits.
• An effective communicator at all levels in the organization, with strong oral and written skills and a willingness to share information.
• A collaborative and flexible style, with a strong service mentality.
• Creativity, with experience funding activities in ways that both cover costs and generate operating margins.
• A demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities and high level financial issues on behalf of the organization, i.e. including the development of business plans, financial forecasts, growth projections and feasibility studies and have strong project management skills.
• Interest and experience with restaurant management a plus but not required.

Application Instructions

Interested individuals are encouraged to send a cover letter and resume by email to HR@nyrp.org or standard mail to 254 W. 31st Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10001.