Job Description

ABOUT US

NCRR is a 176-year- old private railroad company and corridor owner with a contract operator. 100% of NCRR stock is owned by the State of North Carolina. The company was chartered in 1849 to build and operate a railroad to accelerate the economic growth of the State.

NCRR’s operates as a private for-profit business managing its rail assets and real estate, engaging and growing rail-adjacent businesses such as flagging, safety training, and engineering services. Because its shareholder is the State of North Carolina, the company delivers shareholder benefit by developing public-private partnerships to enhance freight and passenger rail infrastructure as well as developing and funding programs to reduce site development risk for companies looking to expand or relocate in North Carolina. NCRR collaborates with government and industry stakeholders to invest in growth and consult with communities, particularly in rural areas, on rail solutions for economic development. We transform our trusted expertise and unique assets into economic advantages for North Carolina.

THE ROLE

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is central to optimizing and growing NCRR’s revenue, contribution and portfolio of assets, and to planning, leading and executing the enhancement and development of the key systems and processes supporting the continued success of the company. NCRR seeks an experienced finance executive with excellent critical thinking capabilities, a strong business acumen and a passion for ensuring team success. This individual will demonstrate the imagination, drive and leadership skills to enact the vision of the CEO, evolve the strategy, and execute to make NCRR’s growth systematic, repeatable and sustainable.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the CEO, the CFO will have oversight and leadership across the financial spectrum of the Company and will play a key role in shaping and executing strategic and operational decisions.

As a member of the Executive Team, the CFO is a critical organizational leader, advancing the priorities of the CEO and Board of Directors. The CFO will collaborate closely with the Executive Team and demonstrate a high level of engagement across the company, supporting an innovative, thoughtful, collaborative culture driving growth at NCRR.

The CFO is responsible for oversight of all financial accounting, FP&A, financial systems infrastructure, and information technology.

The CFO will engage with executive team members to create operating and financial plans and to measure performance against those plans. The CFO will prepare monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports and will lead the preparation of quarterly Board of Directors and Audit & Finance Committee reports.

Key Responsibilities:

• Direct and oversee all aspects of the finance and accounting functions of the company, including financial planning, reporting, budgeting, treasury, tax, internal audit, investments, risk management and insurance.
• Support the CEO and executive team in the continuing development, implementation, and execution of NCRR’s strategic plan. Identify and analyze opportunities for business expansion, process improvements, and cost efficiencies to drive growth and profitability.
• Ensure the timely and accurate reporting of financial information and performance, in compliance with established accounting standards, and provide consistent and transparent financial reporting and analysis to management, NCRR’s Board of Directors and the Audit Committee.
• Optimize the balance sheet through appropriate capital planning and cash management. Manage investment portfolio performance and explore new investment opportunities. Evaluate potential returns and risks and provide recommendations.
• Advise on deal structuring, financing, and investment strategies, in line with board directed risk appetite and management and shareholder return objectives. Establish and maintain strong relationships with bankers, investment advisors, and other financial stakeholders.
• Promote a metric driven approach to managing the business, including monthly business reviews, KPI’s, external benchmarking and financial and non-financial measures to allow for effective, transparent operational leadership.
• Oversee the strategic planning and budgeting process. Create and establish yearly financial objectives that align with the company’s plan for growth and expansion. Recommend resource allocation strategies to include balancing capital and people resources to support strategic initiatives and maximize shareholder value.
• Attract, develop and maintain a best-in-class finance and accounting team while fostering an entrepreneurial culture and reinforcing NCRR core values Promote a high level of financial discipline and rigor, provide analytical tools, and encourage creative entrepreneurial thinking to build solutions and help achieve targets.
• Oversee and support the Information Technology Department. Assess, identify, acquire and implement systems and software as appropriate to provide critical financial and operational information and functionality. Evaluate departments and make suggestions for automating processes and increasing working efficiency.
• Select and engage consultants, auditors and other advisors as needed to support compliance and business planning. Serve as key point of contact for external auditors; Manage preparation and support of all external audits.
• Cultivate and maintain an unimpeachable level of trust and credibility with the CEO, Board of Directors, Executive Team and company employees.
• Set clear expectations and targets that drive through all levels of the organization.

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will have relevant finance experience in a mid-market entrepreneurial business. Candidates should bring a minimum of 14+ years of progressive experience in a finance and accounting function, management experience, project management expertise and experience in an enterprise leadership role in a growth company.

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in accounting or finance
• MBA strongly preferred
• CPA preferred
• Public accounting experience desired
• 5 years minimum experience as a CFO in a medium or large company
• 15+ years total accounting or finance experience
• Knowledge and understanding of GAAP
• Background coordinating with IT staff to manage and/or upgrade accounting systems. Systems implementation experience strongly preferred.
• “Hands On” ERP systems experience preferred
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, confidence and executive presence – ability to energize team members and colleagues
• Excellent analytical, reasoning and problem-solving skills
• Significant experience working with external auditors, internal controls and compliance-related issues.

Leadership Characteristics

• Strategic Agility – able to initiate and drive change and have the flexibility to adapt to a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment
• High integrity and ethical standards. Accountable to self and colleagues. Honest and fair
• Hard worker with extraordinary work ethic
• High intellectual bandwidth
• Willing to listen to others and embrace a hands-on approach to learning.
• Significant enthusiasm for the role and the company with a bias for action. Proactive in identifying risks and opportunities with a sense of urgency. Decisive and willing to execute.
• Resilient and tough. Demands high standards and does not accept mediocrity from self or others.

COMPENSATION

A competitive compensation package will be provided to attract an outstanding candidate, including bonus, 401k, medical benefits and Railroad Retirement system benefits.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs