University Research Park (URP) is seeking a CFO as a critical leadership and professional position in an ambitious organization that couples private sector nimbleness with the spirit of a public service-oriented non-profit. The CFO leads the accounting and finance operation for University Research Park, Inc.
The finance and accounting team is the backbone of the organization and touches all aspects including real estate development, property management, leasing and rent collection, finance and debt, insurance, and operations. The CFO leads a team of three other professionals whose specific duties include:
Strategic Leadership and Planning
- Serve as a member of the URP management team who reports directly to and works closely with the Managing Director and Associate Director. - Work closely with the Managing Director and other senior leaders on management, operations, strategy, development, leasing, and property management.
- Lead strategy and management decisions including reviewing leases, contracts, and development concepts for financial and operational implications.
- Develop URP’s annual revenue forecast and budget (with input from other units).
- Support the Finance & Investment Committee in overseeing URP’s investment portfolio.
Real Estate Financial Management
- Lead and support efforts to evaluate and secure debt (typically via mortgages) and ensure compliance with loan documents.
- Support real estate development by working internally with URP staff on securing development loans, grants, and equity and working externally with contractors, owner’s representatives, title companies, etc. on reviewing and processing draw requests.
- Utilize property management accounting software and identify opportunities to improve workflow by implementing new software or tools.
- Estimate and administer CAM for a portfolio of buildings typically leased with triple-net (NNN) leases.
- Analyze and interpret leases to assess financial implications, while advocating to ensure URP recovers owed costs and administers operations fairly and equitably for tenants.
- Responsible for collecting rents, estimating and collecting expenses, managing security deposits, and reconciling expenses annually.
Financial Compliance and Audit Oversight
- Responsible for planning and collaborating with URP’s external auditors to complete the annual audit and ensure compliance with accounting standards and relevant regulations.
- Monitor and renew corporate or non-profit filings (such as those related to sales tax exemption, LLCs, or property tax exemptions, for example) and pay required government fees or taxes including property taxes and UBIT.
- Oversee the preparation of tax returns and UBIT payments.
- Ensure that proper risk mitigation strategies are implemented, with a particular focus on adequate insurance coverage.
- Develop and maintain policies and inventories of personal property and fixed assets.
- Manage working capital and liquidity while overseeing the payment and documentation of invoices, taxes, and debt service.
- Work hands-on with the team to perform accounting tasks and prepare financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports.
- Provide URP management and board with regular financial reporting.
Stakeholder Engagement and Representation
- Communicate with tenants - especially accounting, finance, or facility teams - to ensure smooth relationships and troubleshoot problems on financial issues including leasehold/capital improvements, CAM, rent, and insurance.
- Coordinate with UW-Madison and other vendors on IT and HR services as well as working with UW entities as tenants in leased space.
Staff Supervision and Management
- Lead the accounting and finance operations team, serving as the organization's backbone and engaging with all key areas, including real estate development, property management, leasing and rent collection, finance and debt management, insurance, and overall operations.
Specific Qualifications
- Proven experience in a senior-level role, demonstrating advanced expertise and leadership capabilities.
- Accounting background with knowledge of general ledger accounting and familiarity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) relevant to business operations.
- Real estate experience is highly desirable, particularly familiar with leasing, property management, and real estate finance.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented accounting skills with an executive-level ability to clarify complex real-estate issues to inform and guide strategic and operational decisions.
- Demonstrated judgment, experience, and initiative to work independently, as well as the communication and leadership skills to manage a small team and collaborate effectively within a larger group.
- Experience collaborating with external audit firms during audits.
- Background in public accounting, ideally with a CPA credential.
- Familiarity with SKYLINE property management software is desired.
Application & Selection Process
University Research Park has exclusively retained The QTI Group to lead the search for a Chief Financial Officer. The QTI group is a comprehensive human resources advisory services firm founded in 1957. QTI Is headquartered in Madison, WI.
Target Start Date: May 1, 2025.
Compensation: We offer a competitive salary range of $160,000-$190,000/year based on experience and contributions.
For more information, please contact:
Brooke Hintze, MSE, CDR
Executive Search Consultant
[email protected]
608.257.1057
Apply Online: https://jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/university-research-park-chief-financial-officer-madison-wisconsin-united-states
Application Deadline: To ensure full consideration, please apply by February 23, 2025. This position will remain open until filled.