Vice President, Finance

New York is leading the nation in the fight on global climate change and the transition to a clean energy-powered economy. The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) has created the most aggressive climate change goals in the nation and requires an ambitious agenda that blends proven catalysts with innovative approaches while operating across a broader energy arena that is rapidly evolving. New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a driving force in realizing this agenda. NYSERDA works with stakeholders that span residents, business owners, developers, community leaders, local government officials, universities, utilities, investors, entrepreneurs, and more, to develop, invest, and foster conditions that:

Attract the private sector capital investment needed to expand New York’s clean energy economy.
Overcome barriers to using clean energy at a large-scale in New York.
Enable New York’s communities and residents to benefit equitably from energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Job Overview

The Vice President, Finance & Controller (VP F&C) reports to the CFO and part of a broader unit that oversees financial, facilities, human resources, and risk management functions. The VP F&C will play an essential role leading a roughly 15-person team and collaborating with colleagues throughout NYSERDA and NYS government on initiatives to advance our mission and improve outcomes. This position presents a unique opportunity to take a well-run team into NYSERDA’s next chapter, leveraging new technology and funding while forging the strong inter-governmental relationships necessary to achieve Climate Act goals.

The VP F&C will provide leadership and oversight of key financial functions, ensuring sound accounting and reporting; financial planning and liquidity management; effective internal controls; and fiscal stewardship, transparency, and accountability. The VP will strategically assess opportunities, challenges, and emerging developments, coaching the team and collaborating with colleagues to update processes, systems, and skillsets. This position is responsible for oversight of the Finance department and for building relationships entity-wide and beyond to foster compliance and improve budgeting, forecasting, and ROI analysis.

For this role, NYSERDA seeks a highly self-motivated and team-oriented individual with a track record of delivering quality outcomes on tight schedules. The successful individual will have a strong understanding of financial and accounting practices in a governmental or similar role; demonstrated success blending strategy-setting with day-to-day management of a high-volume operations/analysis function; and experience forging productive relationships with a broad range of stakeholders at all levels. This position will be presented with several key opportunities to update and elevate processes; proven change management experience will be a plus. Relocation assistance is available for the eligible candidate per NYSERDA’s relocation policy.

Primary Responsibilities
Lead the Finance Department, ensuring effective oversight and accountability of department functions and internal controls. Coach team members to foster engagement, ensure professional development, and align goals with NYSERDA top priorities. Coordinate with decentralized accounting teams to ensure sufficient staffing, skillsets, and compliance.
Forge strong relationships across NYSERDA, partnering on solutions and building buy-in for practices that foster compliance. Increase organizational financial literacy and business acumen to improve budgeting, forecasting, and impact analysis. Serve as a trusted resource while heightening application of fiscal controls and financial best practice.
Oversee the preparation of financial statements, Board reports, and internal management reports, ensuring timely, accurate and actionable financial and operational information, and complying with relevant accounting standards.
Partner with the CFO to manage auditor relationships and serve as primary contact for the external financial audit.
Oversee preparation of budget and financial plans, coordinating entity-wide to deliver budgets that are realistic and well-matched to organizational goals. Work in concert with NYSERDA’s performance management team to proactively identify and align expenditures and outcomes for reporting to key stakeholders. Produce financial forecasts to support decision making and cash/investment management decisions.
Lead the Finance Department in reviewing and providing critical inputs into the development of funding requests submitted to entities such as the Public Service Commission and NYS Division of Budget and for state/federal grant applications. Partner with program teams to develop realistic, defensible funding requests, and track spending to support required reporting and other useful impact analysis and management accounting.
Manage cash flow and invest cash balances to address liquidity needs, preserve capital, maximize returns, and support ESG goals. Coordinate periodic review and updates to investment policies and investment advisory services.
Oversee transaction accounting functions including payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, asset tracking, and trust accounting. Ensure legal and tax compliance, stewardship of funds, timely processing, and reliable outputs.
Ensure that accounting and finance functions are well-supported with up-to-date technology, and that supporting data structures are designed to flexibly support current and future analysis and reporting needs. Generate financial reports that provide relevant and timely financial data to meet key stakeholder needs and inform organizational decision-making.
Instill operational effectiveness. Keep policies current and well-socialized to foster compliance, periodically improve operating practices and department skillsets, communicate updates timely, and ensure accurate record-keeping.
Assist the CFO in managing organizational risks. Coordinate entity-wide risk/controls self-assessments. Ensure adequate credit risk assessment processes for lending activities. Proactively assess and mitigate long-range financial risks.
Perform all managerial and supervisory responsibilities with demonstrated experience fostering respect, diversity, equity, and inclusion across the workforce.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree
CPA, CFA, or CMA designation
10 years of experience in accounting or financial management with at least 5 years in a team management role
Familiarity with accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and the application thereof for governmental entities and/or non-profits
Demonstrated leadership and relationship-building, developing productive relationships in and outside one’s employer
Demonstrated ability to successfully influence and manage transformative change in an organization’s financial functions and supporting systems
Advanced understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and analysis best practices, including common methods to estimate and manage costs and assess ROI
Familiarity with risk and controls assessment practices overall and the application thereof
Ability to make decisions, at times with partial information, and apply sound judgment
Ability to communicate persuasively, concisely, and unambiguously in speech and in writing
Strong presentation and interpersonal skills that resonate with audiences of different backgrounds
Skill in balancing multiple diverse departmental activities and deadlines simultaneously
Demonstrated abilities for problem-solving, resourcefulness, adaptability, and pragmatic solutions
Ability and willingness to travel across New York State on an occasional basis
Preferred Qualifications
Accounting, Finance, or other Business degree
MBA or advanced degree in Finance or Accounting or significant post-graduate work in relevant field of study
Experience in government accounting, non-profit, or similar organization

Please submit two files, one for your cover letter and another for a resume.

NYSERDA is exclusively working with a recruitment partner who will be responsible for the initial screening of the resumes for this position.

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