Job Description

Do you thrive on analyzing complex financial data, leading teams, and guiding key decisions that positively impact higher education in Alaska? Do you enjoy turning challenges into actionable solutions, collaborating with boards and executives, and have a desire to make a real difference in the financial future of ACPE and ASLC? If so, this is your opportunity to lead.

The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) is seeking a strategic and experienced financial leader to serve as Chief Finance Officer for both ACPE and the Alaska Student Loan Corporation (ASLC). Reporting to the Executive Director, this position leads the Finance Division and oversees critical financial functions including accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, contracting, and investment performance evaluation.

The Chief Finance Officer plays a key leadership role in managing the Corporation’s banking and financing activities, coordinating complex financing initiatives, and providing financial expertise to the Commission and ASLC Board in support of the organizations’ missions and long-term financial stability.

Benefits of joining our team, our mission, organization and culture:

ACPE is Alaska’s postsecondary education agency, dedicated to providing sustainable solutions for college, career, and technical training. As the State’s trusted postsecondary education agency; our purpose is to serve Alaskans with integrity in everything we do. Our Finance Team manages accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, and investment oversight to support the missions of ACPE and ASLC. We strive to be a reliable, strategic partner that State leadership and education stakeholders can trust for sound financial guidance.

At ACPE, we value continuous learning and growth. We provide training and support of the upward mobility for our employees. We seek engaged candidates who are eager to expand their knowledge and skills, and we’re willing to invest in training for the right individuals. You will have significant autonomy in your work, while being part of a collaborative, strategic team that supports one another. Our core values – service, quality, innovation, empowerment, and accountability - guide everything we do.

Our Juneau office is conveniently located in the Vintage Business Park area of Mendenhall Valley, near the bus line, with ample parking available. Positions with the Commission are eligible for all State of Alaska health care, leave, and retirement benefits. For more information about ACPE, our mission, and services, visit: http://acpe.alaska.gov

What will you do:

• Lead the Finance Division, including supervising professional, technical, and support staff; establishing priorities; evaluating performance, and supporting staff development.
• Provide strategic financial leadership to the Corporation; including identifying opportunities for revenue growth, cost minimalization, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Lead the preparation of ASLC Financial Statement reports and annual audit.
• Manage cashflow and liquidity.
• Develop, implement, and direct accounting policies, procedures, and financial controls to ensure compliance with GASB, GAAP, bond documents, and other legal or regulatory requirements.
• Propose annual interest rates for ASLC loan products based on analysis of internal finances, economic and market conditions, management goals, and mitigation of financial and operational risks.
• Develop and maintain financial forecasts, models, and projections to support management objectives, in consideration of legislative, regulatory, or policy changes.
• Assess and recommend strategic opportunities for increased revenue, investment policy amendments, monitoring national models of non-profit state education lenders.
• Plan, develop, and oversee operating and capital budgets for ACPE and ASLC, coordinating with other state departments as needed.
• Assist in the development and implementation of new or amended education loan programs.
• Coordinate Corporation financing activities, which include, but are not limited to: collaboration with financial advisors and legal counsel, investment proceeds outcomes, and debt issuance.
• Serve as the primary financial liaison with state agencies, financial institutions, and other external financial stakeholders.
• Testify before legislative committees on financial and budget matters as requested or in the absence of the Executive Director.
• Serve on agency senior management teams and participate in agency-wide strategic planning initiatives in coordination with senior management to support continued advancement and evolution of ACPE and ASLC.
• Serve in acting status in the absence of Executive Director when needed.

The ideal candidate will possess some or all of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Financial Statement preparation including Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Statement of Cashflows, footnotes and Management Discussion and Analysis.
• Financial analysis techniques and applications.
• Accounting & Budgeting theories and practice.
• Finance and investment concepts.
• Investment management.
• Procurement management.
• Cashflow and liquidity management.
• Personnel management/Management theories, principles, and techniques.
• Board (FASB) rulings and pronouncements.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and Financial Accounting Standards.

Skills in:

• Interpret and comply with state statutes, regulations, rules, procedures and practices.
• Interpret and comply with federal Internal Revenue Service regulations.
• Applying accounting and management theories, practices and techniques.
• Gathering facts and information; conducting research and analysis; developing recommendations.
• Writing business correspondence, testimony, executive summaries, reports, requests for proposals and contracts.
• Negotiating and administering contracts.
• Strategic planning and goal setting.
• Evaluating program effectiveness.
• Strong interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with co-workers, supervisors, the general public, etc.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, including the ability to articulate complex financial information to the Corporation Board of Directors, the Commission, the Legislature, and with the Governor’s Office in a manner that is clear, concise, informative and professional.
• Basic office equipment, computers, word processing, and spreadsheet software.

Ability to:

• Manage an array of different technologies used by ACPE and its staff.
• Multi-task and successfully meet strategic priorities and deadlines.
• Clearly and effectively communicate with managers and staff regarding project status and initiatives, as well as, security restrictions and reasoning.
• Anticipate, monitor and meet the needs of customers responding in an effective, appropriate manner.

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited college with major course emphasis in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Banking, Economics, or closely related field, which must include the completion of the intermediate accounting series and at least one theory related course; AND at least seven years of professional experience in financial management or accounting, including three years of supervisory experience.

Substitutions: Graduate study in an appropriate field may be substituted for two years of the required professional work experience.

Preference:

Preference given to applicants who hold a CPA designation or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or closely related field.

Other Information:

This is a fully exempt job class under AS 39.25.110(11).

Additional Required Information

COVER LETTER Highlight your knowledge, skills and abilities as they relate to the key responsibilities and desired traits in the job description above. If you do not address these you may not advance to the next step of the selection process. Please attach the cover letter to your application before submitting it online.

EDUCATION If postsecondary education is being used to meet minimum qualifications, you must complete the Education and Training section of the application and attach your transcripts to your application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of credit hours earned in the Degrees Obtained field.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

INTERVIEW Applicants invited for an interview will be required to provide the following at time of interview: List of three (3) professional references including current daytime phone numbers. Copies of your two (2) most recent performance evaluations. Letters of reference may be substituted for evaluations.

THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLY

This recruitment is open to Alaska Residents only. Applicants must meet Alaska Residency Requirements to be considered for employment at this time.

Special Notice: Please Read Carefully

An applicant’s response to the minimum qualification question must be supported by the job application. This position is in the exempt service; therefore, it is not covered by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement. As a result, ACPE may choose to fill this position as soon as a qualified applicant is identified. While ACPE is in the Department of Education and Early Development for administrative support services only, the Commission and its staff are not subject to the direction of the Commissioner of Education and Early Development nor the State Board of Education. Applicants who have any type of educational loan with the Commission must be current in payments to be considered for employment. A routine background check will be conducted on those applicants interviewed and under serious consideration for the position.

EEO Statement

The State of Alaska complies with Title 1 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or 465-4095 in Juneau or 907-465-3412(TTY) or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal-opportunity employer.

Benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work. For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees please refer to the State of Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits website.

Insurance Benefits

Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental. The following employee groups are under Alaska Care Benefits administered by the State: See Alaska Care Help for additional information.

Retirement Benefits

Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) – Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees) Employer contribution into a defined benefit of defined contribution program (current employees) Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity in lien of contributions to Social Security Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program NOTE: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan, and The Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options See Division of Retirement and Benefits: Retiree for additional information.

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served Twelve paid holidays a year.

Contact Information

WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are located in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to recruitment.services@alaska.gov. For applicant password assistance please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/js_lostpswd.cfm?&topheader=alaska. For specific information about this position, please contact the hiring manager at the following: Kerry Thomas, Executive Director Kerry.Thomas@alaska.gov