Chief Financial Officer

POSITION TITLE:

Chief Financial Officer

POSITION STATUS:

Exempt, Full-time Regular, Benefits Eligible

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:

Diocesan Bishop

(Regular) WORK SCHEDULE:

M-Th, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 12 noon (33.5 hours/wk)

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Diocese of Lafayette is an ecclesiastical office mandated by the universal law of the Church, and the essential canonical qualifications and duties are established in the 1983 Code of Canon Law. The CFO serves by Canonical appointment, pursuant to Canon 494, made by the Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette, in consultation with the Diocesan Finance Board and the College of Consultors. This appointment has a term of five (5) years and can be extended for additional five (5) year terms after the initial period. The CFO serves as the financial administrator of the Diocese and assists the Diocesan Bishop with compliance to Canon Law, Book V: The Temporal Goods of the Church.

The person in this position is responsible for administering the assets of the Diocese under the authority of the Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette and to render an annual accounting of the financial status of the Diocese, including but not limited to the receipts and disbursements and the assets and liabilities in accordance with the norms of canons 1282 – 1289 and for all of the pastoral services of the Diocese. For the Bishop and in accordance with canon 1278, the CFO is to exercise careful supervision of the administrative responsibilities incumbent upon local pastors and administrators of the parishes, the principals of schools, and directors of other institutions of the Diocese subject to the Bishop. The CFO is to exhibit pastoral sense and professional guidance in the supervisory role and responsibilities outlined in canon 1276, namely to urge the observance of all laws of the Church, both universal and diocesan, and all applicable civil laws, by those whose responsibility it is to administer ecclesiastical goods. This task is to be accomplished in a pastoral manner, offering assistance and guidance where needed and appropriate, and candid correction where necessary.

This individual is called to provide a Christian, compassionate, and professional personality in all aspects of day-to-day operations, with complete confidentiality and must be a team player who will share and participate in the vision and goals of the Bishop and of the Diocese. The CFO follows the established working hours of the Diocese of Lafayette Central Office and shall follow all diocesan and office policies, procedures, and regulations.

The person in this position is required to take an Oath of Office and an Oath of Confidentiality.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Analyze and make recommendations pertaining to all major financial matters, decisions, and questions facing the Diocese and its parishes, schools and other affiliated entities.

Implement and evaluate financial policies and practices of the Diocese to ensure that financial goals and objectives are met and are in accordance with canon law and civil and government regulations.

Direct the financial management, facilitation, and operation of all Diocesan Trusts, Funds, and Corporations, including but not limited to the General Fund, Cooperative Deposit & Loan Fund, Healthcare Fund, Property/Liability Insurance Fund, Priests’ Welfare Trust, Continuum of Care Fund and Catholic Foundation.

Oversee all financial and related functions of the offices in the Secretariat of Financial Affairs, including the offices of Accounting, Affordable Housing, Building and Renovations, Facilities Management, Finance, Information Technology, Parish and School Finance, Risk Management, and Stewardship and Development.

Oversee the preparation and monitoring of the annual budget, make recommendations as to available resources and financial limitations, and implement sound internal accounting controls.

Administer the financial management, facilitation, and operation of all offices, programs, and services of the Diocesan Central Office under authority of the Diocesan Bishop and in accordance with the budget determined by the Diocesan Finance Board.

Oversee, monitor, and manage all investments of the Diocese, including the acquisition and disposal of real property, stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments, and develop and maintain liaison relationships with investment managers and bank custodians.

Oversee the financial aspects of diocesan lay employee benefits programs, including its health and related insurance offerings and retirement plans.

Supervise the planning and completion of the diocesan annual audit process of Trusts, Funds, and Corporations as needed in conjunction with the Financial Controller and an outside accounting firm.

Oversee internal audit program for all parishes, schools, and when necessary, other affiliated entities

Engage and interact with legal counsel on issues pertaining to diocesan financial and administrative affairs and represent the Diocese regarding financial matters with government agencies.

Protect the assets and employees of the diocese by negotiating, directly or indirectly through consultants or partners, the placement and management of sufficient property and liability insurance.

Manage application process and administer awards for all grants associated with diocesan activities.

Review and negotiate contracts, trusts, deeds, acts, and other legal documents for diocesan entities.

Serve as staff to, and work in collaboration with, the Diocesan Finance Board and other consultative bodies established by the Diocesan Bishop.

QUALIFICATONS:

§ Practicing Catholic in good standing and in full communion with the Church, modeling a Catholic lifestyle.

§ Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality.

§ Proven expertise in financial affairs.

§ Impeccable integrity, honesty, and commitment to excellence.

§ Resourceful, cost-conscious, responsive and overall sound decision-making skills.

§ Creative and quick intellect, coupled with strong business judgment.

§ High energy level, flexible personality, and ability to work well with a wide range of styles and personalities, both internally and externally.

§ Intelligent forward thinker who is team-oriented, proactive, and a collaborative business partner.

§ Ability to easily synthesize and communicate complex financial concepts to diverse individuals and groups through presentation skills and written communications.

§ Able to engage in open and thoughtful discussion and consultation with key members of diocesan staff, committees and other consultative bodies and to conduct and facilitate productive meetings.

§ Excellent supervisory, organizational, leadership and communication skills with ability to manage, inspire and motivate professional and support staff.

§ Ability to work collaboratively and compassionately with other Central Office Directors and staff members, as well as clergy, lay personnel and volunteers throughout the Diocese.

§ Ability to take initiative and to see projects through to completion.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

· Proficient in current computer system(s), including but not limited to Word, Excel, Outlook and related financial software programs as needed for ongoing operations.

· Minimum of Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Finance, Accounting, or related field.

· Minimum of seven years of executive level experience in financial management or related work experience, preferably in a non-profit/religious environment.

· Maintain up-to-date personal certification for diocesan Safe Environment program.

JOB CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

(The following are representative of the physical capabilities that must be met by an employee and the working conditions that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

While performing the duties of this job, employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, sit for long periods of time, and handle and perform repetitive motions of the hands/wrists.

Specific seeing abilities include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Must be able to push, pull, lift, and carry items up to 10 pounds.

Work is performed in an office setting.

§ May be called upon to work beyond the regular work schedule on weekends, evenings or holidays.

I understand that the above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work required of this position. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Persons with disabilities may receive reasonable accommodations for performing the essential duties. Duties and responsibilities are subject to change as the needs and requirements of the office change, as determined by the Diocesan Bishop, in consultation with the Director of Human Resources.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k)

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Schedule:

Monday to Friday

Work setting:

In-person

Office

Work Location: In person

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