Chief Financial Officer

Essential Duties

• Financial Responsibilities:
  • Serve as a strategic leader in the organization, providing the CEO and Board of Commissioners with forward-looking financial insights to guide organizational strategy, capital planning, and long-term sustainability.
  • Direct the annual planning and budgeting process.
  • Ensure that Strategic Plan and organizational goals are reflected in comprehensive budget approved by the Board of Commissioners and shared with appropriate government agencies as necessary.
  • Establish and maintain a system of internal controls to safeguard the Commission’s assets and maintain the integrity of the Commission’s operations and transactions.
  • Oversee and prepare financial analysis needed by organization to understand trends, performance and stewardship of organizational resources and facilities.
  • Develop advanced financial modeling and scenario planning capabilities to support real-time decision-making and organizational agility.
  • Oversee and, as necessary, prepare a perpetual forecast with regular updates. Share with team to ensure optimal management of resources.
  • Cook up financial strategy related to major capital assets, including funding models, public-private partnerships, and long-term asset optimization with key partners (governments, facilities manager, kitchen manager CEO, bank, etc.).
  • Ensure proper leadership and oversight are in place to manage vendor/service contracts for compliance and MBE/WBE participation, informing appropriate personnel of compliance results, termination/renewal dates, insurance and other contractual requirements.
  • Ensure robust financial controls and approval frameworks are implemented and consistently executed.
  • Ensure proper review and approval of financial transactions and financial recordkeeping.
  • Ensure Finance team meet goals and timelines for full and efficient monthly financial closing process.
  • Ensure timely delivery of financial reports to Commission, committees and staff, as necessary.
  • Promptly provide necessary support and guidance for sales agreements and facility contracts, where necessary.
  • Review and monitor purchasing activities of department heads.
  • Monitor hotel tax collections and collection efforts in partnership with appropriate governmental agencies.
  • Initiate and supervise hotel tax return audits.
  • Invest the organization’s funds in a manner consistent with the Explore St. Louis investment policy.
  • Maintain banking relationships, monitor bank transactions and bank reconciliations.
  • Ensure adequate protection for ESL assets.
  • Monitor changes to Hotel Occupancy Tax regulations and advise management, as appropriate.
  • Attain an unqualified audit report with no management letter findings from the annual audit.
  • Maintain a cooperative relationship with external auditors and ensure Finance team is prepared for audits of financial records and processes, including sales audit and financial statement audit.
  • Supervise the maintenance of all financial records.
  • Direct the periodic review of these records to assure completeness and auditability.
  • Prepare reports for regulatory agencies and taxing authorities.
  • Aid department heads with interpretation and management of financial budget and resources as needed.
  • Develop and oversee internal audit processes.
  • Work to ensure that organization meets all finance and administrative requirements required by Destinations International Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP).
  • Conduct special projects for CEO and/or Board of Commissioners as necessary.
  • Establish or recommend major economic objectives and policies for the organization to management personnel.
  • Oversee planning, monitoring and management of the organization’s Information Technology operations.
  • This includes monitoring usage, trends and organizational needs for equipment, software and technology applications.
  • Oversee organization’s risk management practices, including:
  • advising management regarding insurance coverage for protection against property losses and potential liabilities;
  • placing property and liability insurance for America’s Center and Explore St. Louis, manage insurance broker relationship;
  • representing the organization in all facility insurance claims;
  • ensure the organization maintains adequate records, including an inventory system, and maintain oversight of the inventory process to ensure accurate recordkeeping.
  • Cook up coordination with partners (including Facility Operator) to ensure adherence to relevant purchasing and administrative policies and financial targets are met or exceeded.
  • Serve as liaison with key City, County and State agencies as assigned by the CEO.
  • Contribute meaningfully as a leader within the Executive Leadership Team.
  • Must be able to work a flexible schedule as needed to include evenings, weekends and holidays. Supervise and oversee all Finance, IT and Resource Center staff. Build and develop a high-performing finance and administrative team.
  • Direct and supervise maintenance of event analysis and report system databases for the facility.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in senior financial leadership roles with extensive supervisory responsibilities in diverse organizational settings.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a well-developed team.
• Deep understanding of financial concepts such as profit & loss analysis, revenue cycle management, market analysis, fiscal management, and strategic planning.
• Strong technical accounting skills including expertise in GAAP and governmental accounting practices.
• Expertise with implementation and enforcement of strict internal controls, accurate reporting, and secure data management.
• Comprehensive knowledge in budget planning and business strategies.
• Demonstrated proficiency with financial software systems and advanced financial modeling tools.
• Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data for strategic decision-making.
• Experience managing risk assessments related to compliance and implementing internal controls.
• Resilience and excellent negotiation skills combined with business development acumen.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams effectively while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong knowledge of tax accounting principles.
• Outstanding communication skills for preparing comprehensive financial reports and presenting findings to senior leadership and stakeholders.

Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting; MBA/CPA or CMA certification.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills plus effective decision-making ability is critical.
• Knowledge of the hospitality / convention industry is ideal.