Chief Financial Officer

Location:  Austin Transit Partnership (ATP), Austin, TX Download:  Chief Financial Officer - Austin Transit Partnership - Brochure

About Austin Transit Partnership (ATP)

The Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) is a local government corporation created as a requirement of the City of Austin November 2020 Proposition A tax rate election. ATP is the independent entity responsible for implementing Project Connect, a community effort that expands transit options throughout the Austin area, with new light rail and enhanced services across Austin.

In 2020, Austin voters approved a transformative investment in Austin’s future – a future that is more equitable and sustainable. ATP was created to help deliver reliable mobility options that offer connectivity, affordability, and expandability as key tenets to its project delivery. The recently approved Austin Light Rail Implementation Plan will deliver Austin’s first light rail project, an on-street, two-line project that will connect the community to key destinations, jobs and – most importantly – each other. Looking to Austin’s future, it will also connect with the existing and future transit network to ensure light rail serves Austinites now and as our city grows.

Board of Directors 

ATP’s Board of Directors provides strategic oversight of the program and convenes publicly enabling the community, industry experts and other partners to remain informed. ATP’s Board includes representation from the Austin City Council and CapMetro Board of Directors as well as community members with a wide-range of expertise that is important to facilitate the Board’s oversight role. 

Austin Light Rail Implementation Plan 

Austin Light Rail, running from 38th Street to Oltorf to Yellow Jacket with additional priority extensions, was approved by the ATP Board of Directors, the Austin City Council and the CapMetro Board of Directors in June 2023. Certain foundational documents, including the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA), define ATP’s responsibilities as well as its partners identifying ATP’s responsibility for the overall implementation of Austin Light Rail, including planning, design, contracting, acquisition, construction, and financing of the project. ATP will serve as the direct grant recipient for federal funding through competitive grant applications to include the New Starts Capital Investment Grants and other federal competitive grant opportunities applicable to the implementation of Austin Light Rail. 

ATP is responsible for establishing all financing programs and securing and approving all financing structures necessary to finance and fund operations and maintenance of Austin Light Rail. This includes the issuance of short-term and long-term notes and bonds, any loans secured under federal programs as well as necessary debt and operating reserve requirements. 

Learn more about ATP at https://atptx.org. 

The Position 

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) position is an outstanding career opportunity to join a high-performing, public sector and start up organization specifically created to deliver Austin Light Rail and oversee Project Connect. The CFO serves as ATP’s chief financial strategist and is responsible for the financial development and management of ATP’s operating budget, financial and fiscal programs, and on-going debt management program. The Chief Financial Officer plays a strategic role in positioning the organization to fund construction and implementation of important elements of Austin’s transportation system. 

The CFO is responsible for overseeing ATP’s all financial activities including accounting, finance and debt issuance and management, forecasting, strategic planning, job costing, deal analysis and negotiations, partnership compliance, certain operational procurement functions, and financial risk management. As a key member of ATP’s executive leadership team, the CFO advises on long term financial and business planning that will inform ATP’s mission, values, and strategic plan. The CFO reports to the Executive Director and manages a team of approximately 10 ATP employees with expertise in financial systems, accounting, budgeting, debt management, and financial policies. The position also oversees contractors that serve as financial advisors and integrated members of ATP’s financial team. 

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities: 

  •      Directs the development and implementation of timely division goals, policies, and financial objectives necessary to implement Austin Light Rail; brings a technical and managerial competency in accounting and control, auditing, budgeting and forecasting, financial analysis and planning, debt issuance and management, and risk analysis and management; manages the allocation of resources to meet ATP’s business needs; oversees the operation of division functions, activities and programs; sets objectives and manages the performance of staff and contractors engaged in financial activities related to ATP.
  •      Leads the development and continuous evaluation of short and long-term strategic financial objectives and is responsible for all strategic and tactical matters related to budget management, cost benefit analysis, forecasting needs, and securing of new funding, to include federal funding through competitive grant opportunities.
  •      Identifies, develops, and executes analysis of organizational initiatives related to ATP’s financial positioning; utilizes forward-looking models and market-based analyses to provide financial insight into ATP’s plans and operating budget; evaluates and advises on the impact of long-range planning, introduction of new programs/strategies and regulatory action as needed.
  •      Directs, plans, and implements policies and objectives to increase productivity; analyzes operations to evaluate performance of ATP in meeting objectives to determine areas of potential cost reduction, outsourcing opportunities, program improvement and policy development or change and works with ATP’s partners accordingly.
  •      Establishes strong professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Regularly interfaces with stakeholders to better understand financial issues impacting current and future organizational initiatives and to provide regular updates. Works collaboratively with a wide range of governmental agencies, Technical Advisory Committees (TACs), consultants, and ATP team members. Represents ATP before boards, committees, and representatives from other stakeholder agencies as needed.
  •      Focuses on building a high-performing organization that integrates and prioritizes financial, organizational development, and customer experience in all aspects of ATP’s delivery of financial services. 

Ideal Candidate 

Strategic Leader: The ideal candidate will have a proven record of converting financial strategy into effective execution. The CFO will also be a collaborative leader with the ability to manage staff in a manner that fosters teamwork. 

Problem Solver: The ideal candidate will have knowledge of data analysis and forecasting methods to influence operational decision making that yields the greatest value for the organization and supports the Austin Light Rail Implementation Plan and ATP’s overall role related to Project Connect. The Chief Financial Officer will exercise a high degree of initiative and independent judgement while exhibiting integrity, confidentiality, collaboration, and advanced business skills. 

Relationship Builder: The ideal candidate will have the ability to build and sustain excellent relationships at multiple levels internally and externally with various stakeholders. An excellent communicator, the Chief Financial Officer will have the ability to effectively motivate, manage and coach while fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and partnership across ATP and with government agencies. The CFO will approach this position with an enthusiastic style that welcomes input and encourages teamwork and diversity, contributing to ATP’s overall success. 

Financial Acumen: The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of finance and business concepts and practices; extensive knowledge of information systems, finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control principles including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) as well as knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems.  The Chief Financial Officer will be an excellent communicator with the ability to convey complex fiscal ideas verbally and in writing to multiple levels of the organization and external stakeholders. The CFO will address time-sensitive and urgent matters related to complex financial and operational issues and must adhere to the highest ethical and moral standards with a priority to transparency.

Education and Experience 

Qualified applicants will have a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in business or public administration, finance, accounting, or related field, including ten (10) years of progressively responsible and experience in managing complex financial operations, including experience developing and maintaining internal financial controls, preparing budgets, analyzing organization-wide financial matters, writing financial reports, presenting to governing boards and community groups. Professional experience should include a minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience. 

Certifications 

Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy or Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO) is strongly preferred. 

Salary 

The Austin Transit Partnership offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and extensive benefits. Relocation assistance will be available for a successful out of area candidate. 

How to Apply

Interested applicants should forward a cover letter and resume for consideration to: 

resumes@affionpublic.com
Reference: ATPCFO 

Affion Public
PO Box 794
Hershey, PA 17033
888.321.4922
www.affionpublic.com 

*The deadline to receive resumes is November 14, 2023* 

The Austin Transit Partnership is committed to building a workplace where inclusion is not only valued but prioritized. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating a welcoming and diverse environment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, pregnancy, age, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. ATP makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and organization needs at the time.

Posted: 07/17/2023