The new CFO of PPIC will be joining at an exciting inflection point in PPIC’s 30-year trajectory. The opportunities ahead include contributing to the strategic direction alongside the new President & CEO, Tani Cantil-Sakauye, retired Chief Justice of California, and Martin Hoshino, Chief Operating Officer. This new leadership team brings new vision, goals, and statewide presence for PPIC. This is an opportunity to contribute to the evolution and enhancement of a highly respected and well-resourced organization, grounded by a dedicated staff of research experts, committed to delivering independent, objective, nonpartisan research to California policy and business decision makers.

As such, the financial and administrative leadership of the Institute must be open, flexible, and adaptive while also bringing subject matter expertise in finance and accounting, and investment management, specifically, facilities and IT management, generally. The CFO has a very broad array of responsibilities, requiring the skills of sophisticated multi-tasking, as well as an appetite for and comfort level with a plethora of new and evolving responsibilities. This position is not only a financial and administrative problem solver; s/he brings an appetite for new challenges and the ability to be flexible and creative when rising to the occasion of meeting them.

This position is one of being a thought partner and collaborator with all staff, but particularly with the President & CEO and COO, where a mutually trusting and respectful relationship is strongly desired. S/he is a trusted advisor to all staff, offering counsel and advice, and serving as a resource to engender success.

THE POSITION

The Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) leads the Institute’s Finance activities and oversees the IT, facilities. The CFO reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer and is an integral part of the organization’s executive management team. Elected annually by the Board of Directors to be the Chief Financial Officer for the institute, the CFO serves as a corporate officer, and develops and implements policies for the financial administration of the Institute. The CFO provides the strategic vision and leadership to the “mission support” functions of the institute, including finance, information technology, and facilities administration. Currently, PPIC has a hybrid work environment; it is essential that the CFO is based in California and within commuting distance to the San Francisco or the Sacramento office.

This is an exciting opportunity for a financial professional who is attracted to and energized by working for an organization with a strong reputation doing impactful work, while fulfilling a role with broad and diverse responsibilities. The successful candidate will have a strong finance and accounting background as well as bring the breadth of experience and intellectual curiosity and problem solving orientation to successfully manage disparate aspects of PPIC’s administrative needs.

PPIC values the wide variety of backgrounds and experiences of our staff, and key elements in the consideration of qualified candidates include excellence; diversity of talents, backgrounds, and viewpoints; and a strong fit with the institute’s mission, values, and goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership

• As a member of the executive team, provide strategic input and leadership on decision-making affecting the organization, and share responsibility for overall policy development and management of the Institute.
• Provide support to the President & CEO and the board of directors to facilitate the development of long-term Institute goals and objectives.
• Work closely with the President & CEO, Chief Operating Officer and the Board to build and strengthen the financial health of the organization.
• Maintain and communicate through words and actions commitment to the mission of the institute, as well as commitment to develop and sustain effective working relationships with internal and external constituencies, and commitment to work collegially in a culturally diverse environment.
• The CFO manages a team that includes the controller, director of information technology, and facilities manager.

Finance

• Serve as advisor to the President & CEO on financial matters.
• Manage and oversee the endowment portfolio to ensure investments are in accordance with the institute’s investment policy and with sound principles of endowment management. This includes coordinating banking, investment advisor and portfolio manager relationships and applying sound cash management strategies to meet operating needs while also preserving the endowment.
• With the Controller, ensure the finance and accounting needs of the Institute are clearly articulated so that financial expertise and support structure is provided in a timely manner and serves the needs of the organization efficiently and effectively.
• Provide general oversight of all accounting responsibilities, including: payroll and benefits, accounts payable and receivable, grants and contributions, budgets, accounting systems, financial and internal controls, and financial and tax reporting.
• Responsible for preparing and managing the Institute’s annual budget, which includes program operations and building. Approve budgets for research project proposals to grant funders and review grant proposals
• Oversee the management of the institute-owned building, including managing the outside building manager and broker, analyze building profitability, approving building budget, review and approve leases, overseeing construction and tenant improvement projects, and ensure debt covenants associated with the outstanding bonds used to purchase building are in compliance.
• Prepare and present financial and budget memos and reports to the Board on the overall financial condition of the Institute and progress of the annual budget. Coordinate all activities for the Investment and Audit Committee meetings, including: setting the agendas, preplanning meetings with investment and audit chairs, investment advisor, external auditors and drafting reports and memos
• With other the corporate officers, including the corporate secretary and president, responsible for ensuring all laws regarding corporate governance are complied with. Plan and prepare the meeting agendas, reports and materials for the quarterly board meetings.

Information Technology

• Ensure that the information technology needs of the Institute are clearly articulated so that the optimal infrastructure, including staffing expertise and support are provided in a timely and efficient manner.
• Ensuring that the Institute’s IT support structure serves the needs of the organization efficiently and effectively.
• With the Director of IT, manage the development, implementation and maintenance of all of the Institute’s information systems, including ensuring the stability and security of the communication and hardware infrastructure.

Facilities

• Ensure that the facilities’ needs of the Institute are clearly articulated so that the facilities expertise and support is provided in a timely and efficient manner.
• Ensuring that the Institute’s administrative support structure serves the needs of the organization efficiently and effectively, and that the work environment is comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, safe, and aligned with the Institute’s mission.
• With the Facilities Manager, manage all facility related activities for both the San Francisco and Sacramento Center locations, including coordinating internal use of facilities, offices, furniture and equipment, and other facility-related requests.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

Education:

• An undergraduate degree is required. A graduate degree in Accounting or Financial Management is preferred, as is a CPA license and prior audit experience.

Experience:

• 10 years in a senior financial management role, ideally in a policy research, foundation, or nonprofit environment, that included budget management, design and implementation of financial controls and systems, and oversight of one or two non-finance organizational functions, i.e., IT, Facilities.
• Experience being a member of an executive team , presenting at Board of Directors meetings, and directing the efforts of the Investment and Audit Committees;
• Experience working with a board of directors ;
• Experience in grant management and familiarity with contracting issues ;
• The intelligence, energy, intellectual range and care in judgment that are necessary to be an effective adviser to the President & CEO and the Board on individual decisions and on the overall quality of Institute operations;
• Familiarity with policy research enterprise operations ;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and manage in a team‐oriented, collegial, and high-performing office environment.

COMPETENCIES / ATTRIBUTES

The successful professional will have:

• The highest level of professionalism, stewardship and integrity in executing the CFO role;
• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to make well-reasoned decisions as part of an Executive Team and in the best interests of the organization for the present and future;
• Outstanding management skills , able to motivate people and hold them accountable;
• Technical knowledge to lead the financial function of a complex organization;
• Demonstrated ability to combine macro strategic, policy and planning perspective with attention to details, controls and other micro concerns ;
• Ability to think strategically and proactively and work in a multi-task environment ;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; promptly provides feedback to staff for professional development;
• Excellent oral, and written communication skills ; proactively communicates with the CEO, COO and board members when appropriate;
• Well-developed organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to prioritize work effectively and adjust to multiple demands;
• Understands performance metrics and professional development ;
• Computer/software literacy with financial accounting systems ; and
• Excellent computer skills including word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a working knowledge of information technology, both existing and emerging.

The successful CFO professional will be:

• A strategic thinker and an operational builder; capable of both big picture thinking and directing tactical implementation; able to “connect the dots” of disparate areas of PPIC’s business;
• A seasoned financial leader able to meet the demands of an organization with a complex underlying financial and operational structure (including investment management, financial accounting systems, GAAP principles);
• Outstanding communication skills and have experience proactively communicating with CEO and board members as appropriate;
• A careful “disrupter” who is willing to challenge the status quo but is also grounded in reality;
• Highly motivated, with the ability to partner effectively , and build internal teams;
• A team player who is willing to pitch in as needed to help support the Institute’s work;
• Calm and unflappable in times of stress and pressure;
• Respectful of PPIC’s history and track record while engendering future success via creativity and innovation ;
• Able to make difficult decisions while being open to and able to deal successfully with nuance and complexity ; and
• Possessing humility and a sense of humor .

It is not necessary to meet all the criteria above to apply and be considered for this critical executive position.

COMPENSATION

An annual salary ranging from $255,000 to $303,000 will be offered, commensurate with experience, plus a comprehensive benefits package.

To initiate consideration for this opportunity, please submit a resume and cover letter , speaking to your qualifications as per this Position Specification, to the Carlson Beck representatives below.

As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, PPIC is committed to excellence through diversity. PPIC encourages women and members of minority groups to apply.

For additional information on this opportunity, please contact:

Sally Carlson Heidi Holzhauer

Managing Partner Partner

415.433.2299 direct 707.963.1250 direct

415.203.5259 mobile 415.298.6659 mobile

sally@carlsonbeck.com heidi@carlsonbeck.com