The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) is the largest public transit agency in Iowa, serving 18 cities in and around Polk County to varying degrees. Those include Alleman, Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Des Moines, Elkhart, Granger, Grimes, Johnston, Mitchellville, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Runnells, Urbandale, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights.  DART will be a leader in improving Central Iowa citizens’ quality of life by placing the customer first while providing safe, innovative and efficient public transportation service to the region.

What do we offer?

•Health Insurance
•Dental Coverage
•Vision Care
•Group Life Insurance
•Deferred Compensation Plan
•I.P.E.R.S. Retirement System
•Long Term Disability
•Short Term Disability
•Flexible Benefit Plans
•Paid Time Off (PTO)
•Tuition Assistance
•Holidays

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the leadership of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer is a key leader who provides advice and support to the CEO, drives strategies, and provides leadership by committing to action the business goals of DART.  In conjunction with the other members of the Executive Leadership Team, the CFO is charged with the development and execution of the organizational goals, objectives and daily functions to ensure attainment of DART’s mission and vision.  The CFO role at DART is a unique opportunity for a visionary finance leader, who is curious, collaborative, and agile, to challenge the status quo to drive efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Provides leadership to the departments assigned to the Finance Division (Accounting/Finance, Grants, Risk Management, Procurement, Inventory, Information Technology and Business Analytics) and across the organization, applying strategic thinking and results orientation to ensure the business objectives are achieved.

• Partners with executive leadership to guide, implement, and manage the necessary cost control, process redesign as well as financial management and technology strategies to support the economic growth and financial well-being of the organization in order to provide high quality public transit service. Works to identify financial trends, KPIs and other financial models to stay ahead of trends.
• Develops and maintains the long-term financial plan for the organization; ensures alignment of agency resources and spending; provides guidance to the organization in pursuing opportunities for grant funding and other revenues. Ensures that DART's finances are effectively and efficiently managed with sufficient controls through systems and procedures to mitigate fraud, abuse, and/or waste.
• Responsible for the preparation of all financial statements according to GAAP accounting principles; oversight for or assistance with response to federal, state, and local audits; development of annual capital and operating budgets; and presentation of financial results to the CEO, Commission, and DART management.
• Manages capital assets; reviews appropriate categorization and funding of assets; monitors removal of assets and reconciliation of financial records to physical inventory
• Creates and promotes a positive work environment. Proactively lead, mentor and develop teams; assign work activities and coordinate schedules, projects, and programs; review and evaluate work and provide constructive feedback/appropriate action plan; coach, develop and motivate staff; participate in workforce planning and succession management.
• Actively leads and manages change as the organization evolves; act as a change agent by communicating the need for change; model and enforce DART values
• Works in collaboration with peer Executive Leadership Team members to advance DART initiatives, strategies and goals; positively and proactively participate in cross functional decisions that enable all team members to be successful; demonstrate joint ownership of decisions that ensures an exceptional rider and community experience.
• Ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with Federal Transit Administration, state, and other regulatory and grant conditions/requirements through the implementation of internal controls, policies, business processes, effective use of financial systems, and collaboration with other departments.
• Provides communication and guidance to the CEO, other Executive Leadership Team members, and Commission on trends, issues and activities that impact DART’s financial position. At the request of the CEO, interact with the Commission to support policy setting and decision making on areas of responsibility.
• Plans, directs, and manages the external relations functions with banks, advisors, auditors and other financial institutions as necessary. Negotiate, execute and monitor financial transactions, including lease agreements, lines of credit and debt issuance.  Analyze and place significant financial investments for maximum return consistent with DART policies; works closely with investment firm to effectively invest and administer cash.
• Oversees the identification, development, maintenance and monitoring of technology focused business strategies and solutions to support the delivery of service and the organization as a whole.
• Oversees the procurement department that procures goods and services needed to support our operations and development functions.
• Represents DART as the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) liaison officer, to include overseeing annual goals, ensure contractor compliance/good faith efforts, advise the CEO on DBE matters, and acts as liaison to the Uniform Certification Process in Iowa.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration
• Master’s degree in any of the above-mentioned disciplines is preferred
• 7 plus years of professional experience in finance, with progressively responsible executive experience in managing overall financial affairs of a major public or private entity
• Certified Public Accountant license desirable

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting and cost control principles including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
• Knowledge of the principles, techniques and processes of government at the local, regional, state and federal levels
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of accounting, auditing and public finance, including budget preparation and control (capital and operating budgets); systems management; procurement and contracts; financial administration; planning and forecasting; and operational and cost accounting
• Advanced principles and practices of information technology programs
• Advanced principles and practices of public agency development procurement programs
• Knowledge of personal computers and current office software programs for word processing, presentations, email, spreadsheets and databases at the advanced level of proficiency

Skills or Ability to:

• Ability to empower, motivate, train, delegate responsibility and lead a diverse work staff; manage and direct subordinates in tasks involving day-to-day responsibilities as well as long term projects
• Ability to manage Finance department staffing, including recruitment, supervision, scheduling, development, evaluation, and disciplinary actions
• Ability to manage financial activities to support innovative, high-performance operations
• Ability to analyze financial data and prepare financial reports, statements and projections
• Ability to analyze and evaluate complex financial and fiscal problems information and recommend effective solutions
• Ability to communicate complex concepts in a clear and concise manner both orally and in writing
• Ability to work in an environment requiring strong discipline and attention to detail
• Ability to understand, interpret and analyze complex legal and technical information, including state and federal laws and regulations
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with DART staff, CEO, Commission members, outside auditors and other governmental regulatory agencies

Competency to:

• Act as a Champion for Change
• Assemble Talent
• Leverage Opportunities
• Manage Political Situations
• Manage Resources
• Set a Strategic Vision

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

This position has supervisory responsibility over staff in the finance department which consists of:

• IT Manager
• Finance Manager
• Procurement Manager