Chief Financial and Administrative Officer

Description

FFA is a non-profit, dynamic youth organization that is growing the next generation of leaders who will change the world. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. Current student membership, which includes students in 7th through 12th grade, is approximately 1.05 million students in more than 9,000 schools across the United States. The consolidated annual budget for National FFA is approximately $80,000,000 with a staff headcount of approximately 115. The Chief Financial and Administrative Officer (CFAO) serves the National FFA Organization and the National FFA Foundation and, in partnership with the CEO, the Board of Directors, and the Board of Trustees, is responsible for the short- and long-term financial success of both organizations. Together, the CFAO and CEO will drive toward the achievement of the mission, vision, and strategic plan of the National FFA Organization and National FFA Foundation while ensuring the accountability of both organizations to their diverse constituents.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Keep the CEO and both boards apprised of all issues that may have an impact on the financial health, operational effectiveness, and stability of both organizations in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Provide financial reporting and business operations advice, consultation, information, and analysis to the CEO and boards.
• Assist the CEO in implementing strategic plans and objectives for both organizations and enable both boards to fulfill their governance and fiduciary obligations.
• Exercises chief administrative authority for assigned operational functions and makes day-to-day business and administrative decisions in alignment with Board policy and CEO direction.
• Serve as the primary staff contact for the Joint Finance Committee, including but not limited to their role overseeing annual audits, tax, investment management, capital structure, and other financial matters.
• Support, promote and protect the FFA brand and related intellectual property.
• Work closely with FFA leadership to ensure that member safety and security responsibilities are fulfilled through operational risk management, compliance oversight, and organizational preparedness.
• Supervise the Financial Services, Information Technology, Merchandise & Membership Services, and Human Resources departments and directly assist the FFA’s CEO, Chief Program Officer (CPO) and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)/Foundation President on all strategic and tactical matters as they relate to budget management, cost-benefit analysis, forecasting needs, business operations and resource allocation.
• Serve on the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) led by the CEO and composed of the Chief Marketing Officer/Foundation President, and the Chief Program Officer.
• Serve on the Senior Management Team (SMT) led by the CEO and composed of the National FFA Organization ELT and selected directors of the organization and Foundation.
• Support Board governance, with decision-ready materials, financial reporting, committee support, and meeting cadence management.
• Assist in performing all tasks necessary to achieve the organization's mission and help execute staff development, growth and succession plans.
• Ensure the financial strength and viability of the organization with sound fiscal policies and in-depth knowledge of financial KPIs, risk management methods and forecasting for financial success. Ensure integration of financial, HR, merchandising, and membership strategies to support long-term sustainability and mission delivery.
• Lead enterprise-wide risk management efforts across operational, financial, compliance, technology, and reputational risk areas.
• Oversee FFA’s accounting team, including management and coordination of all accounting activities and comprehensive financial reporting for the Organization and Foundation, the boards, and external audiences.
• Oversee the Director of Information Technology and Facilities and the IT team to ensure organizational technology, data security, and facility needs are met.
• Provide leadership for enterprise technology strategy, data governance, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Oversee the Merchandising and Membership functions, ensuring alignment with brand strategy, revenue goals, member engagement, and operational efficiency. Support the development of merchandising strategies, including product selection, pricing, promotional planning, and supplier relations. Accountable for merchandising and membership performance, including revenue growth, member experience, operational effectiveness, and brand alignment.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of Human Resources, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and compliance with employment laws and policies.
• Lead organizational culture, workforce planning, succession planning, leadership development, and talent strategy.
• Identify and develop talent -- given the close working relationship with the CEO, boards, and the CEO’s direct reports, this role is key in helping to develop talent at the senior levels of the organization.
• Participate in developing new business, specifically: assisting the CEO and senior management in identifying new funding opportunities, revenue enhancements, drafting prospective programmatic budgets, and determining the cost-effectiveness of prospective and existing mission delivery services.
• Provide financial and operational oversight of FFA Ventures, LLC and advises on growth strategy, investment decisions, and business performance expectations.
• Lead the annual operating and capital budget process for each organization.
• Provide financial modeling and long-range forecasting to support organizational planning as required.
• Work with the ELT to ensure programmatic success and compliance with all contractual and programmatic requirements. This includes: 1) interpreting programmatic rules and regulations to ensure compliance with all federal, state, local, and contractual statutes and guidelines; 2) ensuring internal adherence to all financial procedures and requirements mandated in policies of the National FFA Board of Directors and National FFA Board of Trustees; and 3) providing detailed financial analysis as needed.
• Develop and maintain systems of internal controls to safeguard the organization’s and foundation’s financial assets.
• Attend and participate in board and subcommittee meetings as needed.
• Serve as FFA’s primary contact for banking, insurance/risk management, audit, tax, and investment advisory services.
• Work closely with the CEO and executive team to engage outside legal counsel as needed.
• Demonstrate and deliver a high degree of knowledge and confidence in the organization’s operations and financial standing with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Serve as a member of FFA’s 403b plan investment committee and oversee administration, fiduciary responsibility, and financial reporting for the plan.
• In partnership with the Director of Human Resources, investigate and implement cost-effective benefit plans and other fringe benefits to attract and retain high-quality employees.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

Job Knowledge

• Foster and cultivate business opportunities and partnerships.
• Excellence in organizational management: attract top talent, coach and develop staff, manage high-performance teams, set strategic objectives, and manage budgets effectively.
• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to business planning.

Work Product

• Deliver high-quality financial reporting and strategic analysis to leadership, staff and the boards.
• Develop and implement strategic plans with measurable outcomes.
• Ensure favorable budget outcomes through effective planning and execution.

Customer Focus

• Recognize and be responsive to the needs of all clients, including sponsor organizations and boards.
• Passionate, mission-driven, and idealistic approach to serving stakeholders.

Dependability

• Self-directed with a strong sense of integrity and positive attitude.
• Ability to learn quickly in a complex environment
• Demonstrates commitment to organizational goals and continuous improvement.

Teamwork

• Supervise staff with regular progress reviews and improvement plans.
• Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people.

Communication

• Communicate persuasively and effectively in both written and verbal form.
• Strong interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills.

Belonging

• Fosters a welcoming, supportive, and growth-oriented environment for all FFA colleagues, students, teachers, and stakeholders.
• Prioritizes staff and member well-being.
• Actively challenges prejudice and promotes inclusivity, dignity, and respect for all identities.
• Demonstrates kindness, accountability, and care for others.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree (in accounting/finance) required.
• Advanced degree and/or CPA strongly preferred.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 10 years of broad financial management experience
• Knowledge of not-for-profit accounting accordance with GAAP
• Knowledge of organizational development, human resources and program operations.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, Workday Adaptive, and fundraising software.
• Nonprofit management experience required, including governance support, regulatory compliance, and financial stewardship within a 501(c)(3) organization.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Sedentary work. May lift up to 15 pounds occasionally, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Employees are required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, and extensive reading.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Indoor. Hybrid working location

TRAVEL

5%

OVERNIGHT TRAVEL

5%

FFA VALUES

Integrity: “Upfront and Honest Always” – Do what is right, all the time. Choose Courage over Comfort. Be open and Truthful

Respect: “We Before Me” – Be Considerate and Courteous. Respect differences in all interactions. Encourage and recognize others.

Accountability: “Do It, Own It”—Take Initiative, do what you say you will do, and Own Your Mistakes.