Chief Financial Officer

Overview

The national offices of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation (“A Corp”) “PC(USA)” , based in Louisville Kentucky, serve with mid-councils, congregations, worshipping communities, and partner organizations to carry forth the mission of Jesus Christ. Approximately 400 individuals, diverse in race, age, gender, sexual orientation, faith, skills, and more, come together as colleagues to work for a world where justice reigns, peace prevails, and God’s love extends to all people. This community comprises the staff of national entities: the Interim Unified Agency, the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, Presbyterian Women, Investment and Loan Program, and the Administrative Services Group.

Basic Commitment: This position calls for a commitment to the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as noted in its theological confessions, the Book of Order , and the actions of the General Assembly.

The Opportunity

The Chief Financial Officer joins the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation (“A Corp”) in a leadership role grounded in faithful stewardship, strategic partnership, and the ministry of administration.

Founded in 1799, A Corp carries out this ministry through the work of the Administrative Services Group (ASG), a ministry of the General Assembly that helps mission and ministry flourish. Through collaborative partnership and stewardship of the church’s diverse resources, ASG supports mission and ministry now and into the future by providing strategic insight, responsive services, and operational leadership across the organization.

ASG provides a broad range of administrative and support services including finance and accounting, treasury, legal and risk management, human resources, internal audit, information technology, facilities and building services, printing and distribution, research services, translation and interpretation, and mail services. Through the management of both physical and virtual infrastructure, ASG enables ministry partners to remain focused on their core mission and ecclesial responsibilities. ASG currently provides administrative services to Presbyterian Life & Witness, Presbyterian Women, the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program, and selected support to the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation.

Reporting to the President and serving as an integral member of the senior leadership team, the Chief Financial Officer provides strategic financial leadership for A Corp and supports the broader work of the General Assembly and its related ministries and agencies. The CFO helps advance a culture of accountability, transparency, collaboration, and responsive service by providing thoughtful financial leadership, strategic insight, and operational support.

The CFO oversees the financial operations of the organization, including accounting, treasury, budgeting, financial reporting, external audit coordination, and related administrative functions. The role partners closely with organizational leadership in stewarding resources, supporting long-term sustainability, strengthening operational effectiveness, and ensuring appropriate financial accountability, compliance, and risk management practices across the organization.

The Chief Financial Officer is a member of the Administrative Services Group, the staff of A Corp. A Corp is governed by a seventeen-member Board of Directors elected by the General Assembly, including representatives from General Assembly agencies and committees, seven at-large directors, and the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly and Executive Director of Presbyterian Life & Witness, who serves as an ex officio member.

KEY ROLES

1. Executive Management in the A Corporation

• Serve as an officer of the organization and member of the Administrative Services Group Leadership Team (ASGLT) that participates in key decisions pertaining to strategic initiatives and operational execution.
• Along with senior colleagues, foster an ASG culture of partnership and collaboration, results, innovation, and open, effective, and transparent communication.
• Represent the A Corporation externally, as necessary, with auditors and financial institutions.
• Ensure the A Corporation Board members clearly understand the organization’s financial health and sustainability.
• Identify and deconstruct financial policies, systems and attitudes that perpetuate white privilege and racism within A Corporation.

1. Executive Management with the General Assembly, Ministry Partners, Special Committees, and other Agencies

• In collaboration with the A Corporation Board and the President, serve as the primary staff resource to the General Assembly on financial matters.
• In collaboration with the President, serve as liaison to ministry partners and as a staff resource to General Assembly special committees.
• Maintain an active relationship with counterparts in other agencies, particularly the Presbyterian Foundation and the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program.

1. Strategic Alignment

• Align the A Corporation with General Assembly direction and with donor and endowment fund restrictions.
• Collaborate on the creation of a unified budget.
• Develop tools and systems to provide financial information to the President and make actionable recommendations on strategy and operations.
• Guide cross-functional strategy among ministry partners to track, allocate, and analyze revenue/expense processes for accurate reporting and projections.
• Maintain clear and proactive lines of communication, keeping the President and the ASGLT informed of issues related to cash flow, budget performance, forecasting, and operations.

4. Governance

• In collaboration with the President, serve as the liaison to the Finance, Operating, and Budget Committee of the A Corporation Board, and support the Audit, Legal, and Risk Management Committee as needed.
• Assist the A Corporation Board in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibility; provide required reports and data and attend Board meetings.

1. Financial Management

• In collaboration with the Controller and other finance staff, oversee financial activities including budgeting, reporting, forecasting, treasury management, accounts payable, purchasing, and payroll reconciliation.
• Develop, document, and improve all finance and accounting policies, procedures, and systems to ensure accountability, effectiveness, and adequate internal controls are in compliance with governmental, regulatory, legal, and GAAP regulations.
• Deliver comprehensive, timely, and accurate analysis and interpretation of all financial information to assist the President and the A Corporation Board in performing their responsibilities.
• Provide executive oversight for the annual financial audit of A Corporation. Serve as the accountable executive sponsor management oversight of the audit process.
• Evaluate ASG departments for cost-effectiveness and make suggestions for improvements.

1. Innovation and Alternative Revenue Development

• In collaboration with the President and ministry partners, explore, evaluate, an implement innovative and sustainable non-donor revenue opportunities that support the mission and ministry of the General Assembly.
• Work in a connectional and collaborative manner with Stewardship and Funds Development to ensure efforts are complementary, clearly differentiated from fundraising and donor development activities, and aligned with existing giving strategies.
• Provide strategic insight through the identification and assessment of opportunities that extend beyond traditional funding models, grounded in faithful stewardship, aligned with General Assembly priorities, and evaluated to ensure appropriate compliance, risk mitigation, and the preservation of the A Corporation’s charitable religious purpose.

1. Team Management

• Mentor and develop the finance and accounting team of 17 employees.
• Work with supervisors in the finance and accounting department to set clear objectives that accomplish goals, promote a culture of service, and provide information and support to ministry partners.
• Recruit, maintain, and develop staff consistent with business needs.
• Actively demonstrate a posture of cultural humility and anti-racism.

The Candidate

The successful candidate has unquestioned integrity; a long-term perspective; a strong sense of accountability; a practical ability to get things done; a fair and thoughtful approach to management and an ability to operate at a very detailed level while keeping in mind the “big picture” and political dynamics and context.

Background

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or related field; Master’s degree in a related field.
• CPA preferred.
• 10 to 15 years of progressively responsible experience within a financial and operational environment.
• Experience working in a faith-based, non-profit environment.
• Membership in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is highly desired.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ethics and Professionalism

• Demonstrated commitment to leading with integrity and the ability to drive a positive “tone at the top.”
• Treats people fairly and with respect, listens, keeps commitments, inspires the trust of others, works with integrity, and upholds Presbyterian values and ethos.
• Have a deep understanding and commitment to cultural and racial inclusiveness. Values diverse groups, ethnicities, genders, communities, cultural constituencies and points of view.
• Has an aptitude for Governance, Risk, Control.
• Demonstrated ability to use risk management for the best interests of the organization and manage risk appropriately.
• Good sense of humor.
• Commitment to transparent communications with staff and with ministry partners.

Leadership and Management Skills

• Ability to apply appropriate leadership strategies to effectively deliver business objectives while acting proactively and thinking strategically in anticipating organizational needs, recognizing the broader environment and contextual dynamics.
• Strong sense of initiative, independence, closure, and ability to navigate multiple priorities tempered with patience for process.
• High drive for collaboration and understanding that collaboration takes dedication and time.
• Keen awareness of how one’s actions are perceived both internally within the organization and to external-facing partners.
• Ability to process criticism and maintain integrity when working with internal and external partners and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate complex financial data and concepts in a concise manner (written and oral presentations) to a variety of audiences (internal ministry partners, third parties, and the Church at large) as well as excellent listening and comprehension skills.
• Ability to display an executive presence and effective in leading, motivating, and managing people to optimize performance, effectiveness, and collaboration.
• Demonstrated and proven commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Approach to Ministry Partner Relationship Management

• Positively develops relationships with stakeholders and communicates and gains commitments from internal and external stakeholders; uses emerging technologies effectively to collaborate and communicate.
• Aligns ASG objectives with stakeholder needs, manages expectations, and applies professional and ethical judgement when engaging with stakeholders.
• Ability to build constructive and effective relationships with a broad and diverse group of internal and external stakeholders.

Strategy & Innovation

• Ability to evaluate, justify, and implement suitable strategic options to deliver business objectives, with the flexibility to respond to the organization’s needs.
• Gets projects and initiatives to the finish line using a collaborative approach.
• Highly operational orientation and the business acumen to evaluate financial and business indicators and translate that into action.
• Demonstrated ability to think broadly and strategically, including the ability to translate long term goals and objectives into short term tactical plans and operational activities.
• Ability to foster an environment of creativity and innovation, focusing on empowerment and support of staff.

The Location and Work Environment

This position works in Louisville, Kentucky, in the building located at 100 Witherspoon Street.

To Apply

Click here to apply for the Chief Financial Officer position or visit, click “Careers” then “Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation Opportunities.”

PCUSA Commitment:

Our faith in God inspires our commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and is grounded in scripture, the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and actions of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates from Presbyterian communities in the global south and other historic Presbyterian Communities of Color, preferably with theological training and fluency in languages other than English, are encouraged to apply.

Individuals living with disability encouraged to apply.