Job Abstract

Everyone says they want to change the world. We’re looking for people who actually will.

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building legal organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith. Please visit www.adflegal.org/about-us/careers to view our Statement of Faith and Doctrinal Distinctives. 

SVP of Finance

Alliance Defending Freedom is looking for a highly skilled SVP of Finance to join us in our Scottsdale, AZ or Lansdowne, VA office.  As the Senior Vice President of Finance, you are a vital part of Alliance Defending Freedom. In this highly visible role, you will report to the CEO and will closely partner with the Executive Vice President in furthering our legal objectives through the execution of a comprehensive and strategic enterprise-wide finance and accounting organization which includes primarily accounting, budgeting, FP&A investment management, risk management, and regular financial and operational reviews. You will directly oversee ADF’s Finance and Facilities functions.

Your Essential Responsibilities:

In this position, you will:

• Oversee the Finance and Facilities & Security Services teams in the effective stewardship and utilization of ADF’s financial and physical assets for the benefit of the ministry, ADF Team Members, and guests.
• Drive innovation and strategic planning to support the execution of the ministry’s long-term plan and organizational objectives.
• Develop comprehensive financial growth initiatives in collaboration with the Senior Vice President of Development.
• Function as a strategic advisor to the CEO and executive leadership team to identify opportunities and mitigate potential challenges to ADF’s objectives and strategic plan.
• Provide enterprise-wide analytical support for projects and initiatives, such as real estate decisions and other expansion opportunities.
• Utilize extensive professional experience and insight to incorporate innovative ideas, best practices, and systemic changes to elevate ADF.
• Lead automation and enhancement processes to support reduced cost and additional scale, including layering in tools and technologies to make reporting and analysis more efficient and support a rapid growth environment.
• Promote teamwork and cross-team communication and efficiency, establish priorities, engage in problem-solving to eliminate bottlenecks and problem areas, and continuously elevate and accelerate the performance of all teams.
• Allocate resources wisely to maximize the achievement of ADF and its legal objectives.
• Oversee the Finance Team and all finance functions, including the following:
• Ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and appropriate regulatory and audit requirements for all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems.
• Satisfy reporting requirements with all stakeholders and external authorities on a timely basis. This includes monthly reporting packages, quarterly and annual reports, fundraising proposals, audited financial statements, and annual Form 990.
• Establish and maintain internal control safeguards and oversee all audit activities. Prepare financial statements, analyses, and supporting work papers for reporting to senior management.
• Administration of payroll, quarterly and annual payroll tax filings, and 401(k). 
• Develop financial business plans and forecast and manage cash flow accordingly.
• Provide reliable cash flow projections and reporting mechanisms that include minimum cash thresholds to meet operating and capital structure needs.
• Optimize the handling of banking relationships and establish appropriate strategies to enhance cash and investment positions.
• Oversee budgeting and the implementation of budgets so as to monitor progress and present financial metrics.
• Preparation of financial statements, projections, pricing and valuation models, and company presentations.
• Establish and provide appropriate metrics, dashboards, and reports to convey the work accomplished by the Finance team and how it relates to the key legal objectives and strategic plan.
• Oversee the Facilities & Security Services Team and facilities functions, including establishing multi-year plans and strategies to support capital expenditures and property expansion projects; master space planning and usage; architectural and interior design; construction management; tenant leasing; the acquisition and divestiture of assets; and the provision of world-class employee services that enhance and define ADF’s culture and promote ADF’s core values. Provide appropriate metrics, dashboards, and reports to convey the work accomplished by the Facilities and Security teams and how it relates to the key legal objectives and strategic plan.

As a senior vice president of the organization, you will:

• Set aside the time to pray and think.
• Prepare for the future of ADF by developing a succession plan.
• Act as a servant leader by training, encouraging, coaching, and developing your Team Members.
• Foster a spirit of trust and of innovation on your teams.
• Build, develop, and mentor a direct team of finance leaders to ensure effectiveness in work allocation, training, problem resolution, performance evaluation, and the building of an effective Finance team.
• Lead and manage people well, including providing appropriate training, opportunities for team members to grow and advance, and an understanding of roles and responsibilities; fostering team cohesion, clear internal communication, and the core conviction that all ADF teams must support one another; and ensuring Team Members have an understanding of ADF’s legal issues and how to communicate about those issues.
• Support, highlight, and make stars out of high-performing team members.
• Approve PTO requests, timecards, and expense reports.

Key Attributes

• Strategic Orientation – Continuously develop a thoughtful and well-articulated roadmap of the future structure, people, processes and systems to support the future mission work of ADF creating an environment for its abundant success and flourishing.
• Technical Proficiency – Strong technical abilities in and knowledge of accounting, financial reporting, analytical skills, finance/treasury, IRS and regulatory compliance, etc.
• Business Acumen – Ability to understand and utilize knowledge of the organization’s mission, business strategies, and operating processes to assist the executive management team with achievement of key goals and objectives (understanding how an organization runs and generates revenue; working with executive management team on ideas, opportunities, and strategies to improve the organization and its business processes); ability to balance between strategic planning and tactical execution.
• People-driven Skills – Building strong relationships, communicating effectively (writing, speaking and listening), delegating appropriately, developing people, and creating a high-performing team.
• Intellectual Curiosity – Ability to utilize analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving skills to see beyond the numbers and understand their impact on the business (“the big picture”). Ability to take initiative and readily identify problems and propose solutions. Ability to take action and effectively execute material change based on one’s own observations and best judgment.
• Fiduciary Mindset – Ability to interface with diverse stakeholders and represent their best interests. Provide “independent” perspective to the organization’s leadership and Board of Directors as necessary and as requested.
• Success / Results Driven Mentality – Strong entrepreneurial spirit, high professional ambition, and a willingness to “do whatever it takes” to support the team and the company’s mission and success.
• Meticulous Attention to Detail – Strong ability to deliver accurate reports, analysis, and other work product, free of errors and discrepancies and supported by readily available documentation and detail, as needed and requested.
• Project Management – Ability to organize/prioritize actions needed to drive a desired outcome while leading people with the change of processes or systems.
• Leadership Team - As a true business partner to the CEO and leadership team, assess organizational performance against both the annual budget and Alliance Defending Freedom’s long-term strategy.

Other Responsibilities (Non-Essential):

• You will be asked to perform related duties or special projects as assigned.

Skills you need to succeed: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting required. 
• Master’s degree or CPA required.
• 15+ years of relevant experience with 7+ years minimum in a corporate leadership role managing finance and accounting professionals and staff.   
• Demonstrable history of outstanding communication skills.
• Experience as a senior leader for an organization that has grown dramatically and has successfully “scaled” resources to accommodate growth.
• Experience with international accounting teams, real estate, and investments, as well as managing strategic relationships with financial institutions and vendor partners.
• Not for profit experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of enterprise financial systems.
• Travel required (15%)

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN ORGANIZATION WITH A COMPETITIVE

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PACKAGE, TOO? 

We have it! Alliance Defending Freedom offers team members a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes major medical insurance, dental care, medical and dependent care reimbursement, paid disability, long-term care insurance, and life insurance. We also offer a 401(k) plan with a generous company match. Work and life balance is important to the well-being of our team members. You will receive paid time off (PTO) that starts accruing from your hire date and 11 paid holidays per year.