Deputy CEO, Chief Finance & Business Officer

Salary range is $140k to $450k, with a midpoint of $295k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance discount.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under the general direction of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Deputy CEO, Finance and Business Officer (DCEO), serves as an executive leader and key strategic partner to the CEO and CEO direct reports by leading the Agency's Finance and Business Administration (FBA) department. This role sets and executes the financial and administrative strategy for the Agency as a whole, ensuring that all Agency departments have the support they need while ensuring good financial stewardship for the Agency in the long term. The DCEO oversees all FBA departments, which includes Finance, Accounting, PCA (Procurement, Contracts, and Agreements), IT, and Administration Services. The individual in this role also serves as a member of the Agency's Executive Cabinet, supporting the CEO and collaborating with the other DCEOs and Chief Officers to achieve the Agency's mission and vision in alignment with its values.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. The selected candidate may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Provides vision and leadership for developing and implementing the Agency's long-term financial and administrative services strategies in alignment with the Agency's overall mission and goals.
• Leads the Agency in fostering good financial stewardship and fiscal discipline, while ensuring that any financial decisions made today have positive impacts for the long-term financial health of the Agency.
• Serves as a member of the Agency Cabinet and collaborates and meets on a regular basis with Agency DCEOs.
• Represents the Agency on financial and business administration matters to external stakeholders, including but not limited to the Board of Directors, the Finance and Audit Committee, and the general public.
• Directs and manages all activities including highly complex technical activities of the Finance and Business Administration, composed of Finance, Accounting, Purchasing, Technology Services, Administrative Services; works closely with division heads to accomplish department goals.
• Develops, maintains and provides leadership in the development of the Agency's long-term financial plan; recommends the long-term affordability model and ensures effective alignment of Agency resources and spending to achieve the Agency's mission and strategic business plan.
• Plans, directs, and manages the external relations functions with banks, advisors, financial auditors and other financial institutions as necessary; negotiates, executes and monitors financial transactions, including debt sales, lease agreements, sale of notes, lines of credit and letters of credit; reviews and coordinates Agency financial audit programs, including financial statement, NTD, A-133, subarea equity, SAO financial compliance and performance audits; signs disclosure and audit statements on behalf of Agency; and manages Staff Audit and Reporting subcommittee.
• Develops, administers, maintains, and oversees the annual budgets; makes recommendations
• and forecasts for future funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; reviews
• and approves department expenditures and implements adjustments.
• Makes decisions and plans that have significant long-term (24-48 months) impact to the FBA Department. Has predominant authority to make decisions on behalf of the Department.
• Establishes innovative strategies by which the Agency acquires, manages, and preserves the financial, capital, human resources, and other assets to accomplish the business strategy to achieve the Agency's mission.
• Makes decisions/judgments on problems and opportunities are strategic, often unprecedented, and impact broad segments of the organization.
• Is accountable for the FBA Department performance against the long- and short-term financial and operating targets.
• Oversees all personnel actions at the Department level.
• Is accountable for Department-wide workforce and staffing plans to ensure availability of human capital necessary to meet department and enterprise strategic goals.
• Is accountable for Department-wide leadership succession planning and talent pipeline development.
• Supports CEO in making strategic long-term financial and administrative decisions for the Agency and in developing overall Agency-wide strategy.
• Builds strong peer level cross-organization networks and productive partnerships outside of the Agency.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the Agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or closely related field; master's degree in a related field preferred. Twelve years of finance and/or business management experience, including managing operations, programs, and services in finance, accounting, grant management, budget management, risk management, and/or treasury; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Ten years of leadership experience in progressively senior roles, in addition to executive-level experience at a private or public sector organization with diverse staff, supervisory, budgetary, and management responsibility over multiple departments and functional areas. Previous experience within the transit industry is preferred but not required.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience in the management of operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive finance and business administration department, which may include budget, accounting, treasury, grants management, risk management services, procurement, IT, and other functional areas.
• Deep expertise in managing core administrative functions to support and provide internal customer service to an organization.
• Experience in driving financial and administrative services strategy to ensure efficient business processes and outcomes.
• Ability to apply principles of fiscal discipline and financial stewardship to long-term Agency vision and strategy.
• Understanding of municipal market and debt issuance, as well as other types of financial securities and mechanisms.
• Expertise in financial reporting and information services, such as general ledger and ERP (enterprise resource planning).
• Excellent project management skills to deploy effectively and manage a variety of resources dedicated to and affected by financial and administrative services.
• Critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and functions.
• Ability to coach, mentor, and amplify the diverse voices of employees and lead an inclusive team environment.
• Project management and delivery skills.
• Resiliency and ability to operate in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to facilitate progressive organizational change and development within an organization.
• Ability to lead self and others to produce high-quality work.
• Ability to translate complex information to distilled, simplified communications for audiences with diverse levels of technical expertise to understand and navigate new and complex concepts.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse external stakeholders, including a Finance and Audit committee, board, other constituents, and the public.
• Communication techniques and strategies to facilitate problem solving and initiate change.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience working within the transit industry or other public sector.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office environment.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.