Chief Financial Officer, Aircraft Owners - Frederick, United States - Korn Ferry Executive Search

Description

THE COMPANY

Incorporated in 1939, The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to general aviation. Based in Frederick, Maryland, and Washington, DC, AOPA is the world's largest community of pilots, strongest voice for freedom to fly, and largest brand in aviation with more than 600,000 customers every month, and affiliates in 75 countries around the world.

The AOPA team exists to protect and to grow the incredible privilege that we call general aviation. Whether it is through educating the public about the fun and the utility that aircraft can provide, preparing resources and training material to enhance the skills of pilots everywhere, or advocating for aviation within government agencies-it is AOPA's job to maintain the strength and vitality of the flying community. AOPA's products and services span the broadest-reaching media platforms, aviation technology and products that pilots use to travel the country and the world.

AOPA's Mission

AOPA's mission is to ensure that the sky remains within reach of everyone who dreams of becoming a pilot. Specifically, AOPA:

• Advocates on behalf of members.
• Educates pilots, nonpilots, and policy makers.
• Supports activities that ensure the long-term health of General Aviation.
• Fights to keep General Aviation accessible to all.
• Secures sufficient resources to ensure success of the organization.

AOPA's Vision

AOPA is the beacon for those who cherish the freedom to fly. It demonstrates what is possible when a determined organization listens to its members, collaborates with its colleagues, finds solutions with its partners in government, and focuses its resources-all to secure the future of General Aviation. AOPA's success is proof that the public good can be served while individual freedoms are preserved.

AOPA's Values

As members of a vibrant and diverse community, AOPA commits to the following defining values:

• Initiative - Getting things started and getting things done-the ability to identify and follow-through on an idea, task, plan, or action.
• Teamwork - Working together to reach a common goal.
• Service - Commitment to using all of our skills, experience and resources for the benefit of our members, the GA community, and the AOPA team.
• Integrity - Commitment to ethical principles.
• Excellence - An environment that fosters pride and success in what we do for our members and general aviation.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Position: Chief Financial Officer

Location: Frederick, MD

Reporting Relationship: Position reports to Mark Baker, President & CEO

Website:

The Opportunity

Reporting to the CEO and working closely with the COO, the CFO plays a critical role in developing and implementing the strategies for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the AOPA Foundation, and the other related entities of AOPA. As a member of the executive team, the CFO, along with the CEO, will provide enterprise development strategies focused on stabilizing and sustaining the financial strength of the Association, and will act as an advisor to division heads, evaluating and assisting them with their financial plans and economic models. The CFO will be responsible for overseeing all fiscal and fiduciary responsibilities for the organization(s), human resources, information & technology, project management, and aircraft financing. The CFO will be responsible for reporting the financial results of the organizations to the management team as well as the Board of Trustees and will also interact with the finance and audit committees of the Board of Trustees.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The CFO will be responsible for the following key responsibilities:

• Serve as Business partner to the CEO, COO and Division / Department heads - assessing organizational performance against budget, prior periods, and strategies. Develop tools, systems, and reports to provide critical financial and operational performance information to the Board of Trustees, CEO, COO, and management team. Make actionable recommendations on both strategy and operations. Engage with the Senior Management team and Board of Trustees regarding issues, trends, and changes in the operating models. Assist in establishing yearly objectives and meeting agendas, and selecting and engaging outside consultants (auditors, advisors). Oversee long-term budgetary planning and cost management in line with AOPA objectives and strategies.
• Works with AOPA leadership team members to facilitate day to day planning, decision making, communication, project development, implementation and tracking of key AOPA strategies and initiatives. Partners with the SVP of Finance & Accounting in the facilitation and development of AOPA's strategic plan and annual operating budget.
• Serves as the chief human resources officer for the organization. Oversee the development, implementation and administration of compensation and benefit programs that are competitive, cost effective, compliant with regulatory requirements, and serve as effective attraction, retention, and engagement tools. Drive organizational development and improvement of overall organizational capacity and capabilities through the design and implementation of leadership and staff training and development programs and talent management strategies. Serves as the liaison to the Board's Organization, Compensation & People committee.
• Oversee and manage activities of the Finance area including budgeting, planning, business intelligence, data analytics, reporting, payroll, employee benefits, general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash, fund accounting, purchasing, investments, contracts, corporate insurance, fixed assets, internal controls, corporate policies, and all other areas involving finance. Senior management responsibility for the annual financial audit and any governmental and AOPA magazine circulation audits. Additionally, coordinate the association's research efforts and in conjunction with the business units develop business plans geared towards the accomplishment of AOPA's strategies and objectives.
• Directs, coaches, motivates the executives charged with running the day-to-day operations of the AOPA Aviation Finance Company (AAF), Information & Technology, Project Management Office, Human Resources/Office Services/Facilities, and Finance and Accounting.
• Lead the talent and performance management processes in assigned area of responsibility that measure and evaluate progress and performance against organizational goals. Ensure key employee goals are integrated with AOPA goals and work with Human Resources to implement strategies to continuously grow individual and organizational capabilities. In coordination with the executive team, design and foster a culture that supports a success strategy and anticipates the needs and values that will enable the association to continue a tradition of success and high member value.

THE CANDIDATE:

The Chief Financial Officer will be a strategic and innovative leader who will build on the organization's strong legacy, while advancing priority objectives for continued growth. The ideal candidate will have a broad understanding of business operations as well as demonstrated strength in leadership, communications, business analysis and judgment.

The successful candidate will contribute to and support AOPA's mission, growth and long-term financial stability. In addition to strong financial acumen, the ideal candidate will be energized by AOPA's mission and the opportunity to be actively involved in day-to-day operations and strategy, as well as being a liaison and spokesperson with key internal and external stakeholders.

Experience and professional qualifications required for the role:

• A minimum of 15+ years of experience leading finance and accounting functions. Aviation sector experience highly preferred but not required. Leadership experience within a similarly complex association or non-profit organization also considered an asset. Candidates from both the private and nonprofit sectors will be considered.
• Previous experience managing enabling functions outside of finance such as human resources and information technology is highly desirable.
• Experience leading large- scale system implementations/transformations
• Possesses a broad business perspective; able to effectively partner with the CEO and other members of senior management to drive initiatives and support achievement of the organization's mission.
• Fluent in all financial domains including US GAAP, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, internal controls, treasury, strategy, and risk management. Must possess a strong understanding of the balance sheet and financial performance to develop and maintain trust with senior management, key internal and external stakeholders, the Board, and across all key business areas.
• Proven experience in budgeting, strategic forecasting, and planning, and in overseeing financial, accounting, compliance, and risk management of a complex organization.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify issues and extract meaningful insights, used to better understand and improve business performance. A solid grasp of data analysis and performance metrics.
• Strategic thinker with demonstrated consensus-building skills, and an ability to convey confidence within the organization and with external constituencies. Demonstrated ability to think proactively and creatively and improves performance by identifying key strategic opportunities.
• Demonstrated capability in multiple project management and data analysis.
• Knowledge of aircraft or asset financing highly valuable.
• Demonstrated understanding of organizational operations and management structure.
• Proven excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• A reputation for integrity and building trust among key stakeholders including previous interaction with boards.
• Demonstrated people management and leadership skills with a track record of mentoring, coaching and teaching. Ability to provide constructive and positive feedback, while motivating and holding the team accountable for team performance.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree required, MBA and/or CPA preferred.

Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis.