Chief Financial Officer

Korn/Ferry International - Columbus, OH

Full-time - Senior

Columbus, OH

251-500 employees

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS Ohio) will play a pivotal role in the organization, serving as a key member of the Executive Team. The CFO will partner closely with the Executive Director, Lynn Hoover, and the leadership team to drive strategic direction and sustainable growth, supporting STRS Ohio's mission to provide a solid financial foundation for Ohio's public educators. This position involves active communication with the STRS Ohio Retirement Board and collaboration with the Retirement Board's Audit Committee. The CFO will oversee a comprehensive range of responsibilities, including financial, accounting, and actuarial analysis and reporting, budgeting, employer education and reporting, as well as investment operations and performance. Additionally, the CFO will manage the facility team, ensuring that all operations align with the organization's strategic goals. In this role, the CFO will serve as the strategic finance leader and business partner for STRS Ohio, providing oversight and performing risk management and annual sensitivity analyses to ensure the fiduciary success of the organization. The CFO will prepare and present accurate and timely financial statements, reports, and analyses to the Executive Team, Board of Directors, and external stakeholders. This includes managing relationships with financial institutions, external auditors, and other stakeholders, as well as overseeing the production of financial statements and regulatory documents. The CFO will also lead, attract, manage, motivate, develop, and retain a high-performing finance team, ensuring that the team is equipped to support the organizational strategy and succession planning. Moreover, the CFO will ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and reporting requirements related to financial, actuarial, administrative, tax, and investment performance. This includes monitoring and assessing internal controls and procedures to safeguard organizational assets and mitigate financial risks. The CFO will advise management and the Retirement Board on financial matters, present fiscal budgets, and prepare necessary materials for Board meetings. The role may also involve acting as the Executive Director as needed and performing other tasks as assigned. The ideal candidate will possess a strong balance of operational finance management and strategic financial leadership, with a commitment to the mission of STRS Ohio and the highest ethical standards.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the strategic finance leader and business partner for STRS Ohio.
• Provide strategic financial oversight, perform risk management, and annual sensitivity analyses.
• Prepare and present accurate and timely financial statements, reports, and analyses to the Executive Team and Board of Directors.
• Manage and develop the annual operating and capital budgets in alignment with long-term strategic plans.
• Manage relationships and communications with financial institutions, external auditors, and other stakeholders.
• Oversee the production of financial statements, tax documents, and other financial regulatory documents.
• Lead, attract, manage, motivate, develop, and retain a high-performing finance team.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and reporting requirements.
• Advise management and the Retirement Board regarding financial matters.
• Present and report on fiscal budgets to the Retirement Board and other groups as needed.
• Prepare materials for Retirement Board and committee meetings as requested.
• Oversee that procedures for employer reporting to STRS Ohio are established and maintained.

Requirements

• 10-15 years of progressive technical, operational, and strategic financial management experience.
• Experience leading an enterprise-wide finance function or serving as a senior finance business leader/partner.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, effective at all organizational levels.
• Demonstrated balance of hands-on operational finance management and strategic financial leadership.
• Excellent attention to detail, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proven ability to attract, motivate, mentor, and develop high-performing talent.
• Demonstrated engagement with organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field; CPA required; master's degree preferred.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working closely with an organization's leadership in identifying risks and developing strategy.
• Demonstrated listening skills, empathy, and the ability to lead through influence.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Comprehensive benefits package including on-site parking
• Educational assistance
• Subsidized medical insurance
• Fully paid dental and life insurance
• Vacation and sick leave
• Retirement benefits
• On-site fitness center