Chief Financial Officer

The Planning Office for Urban Affairs (POUA, the Planning Office) was created by the Archdiocese of Boston in 1969 as a nonprofit organization, to serve as a catalyst for social justice through its work in housing development, neighborhood revitalization, and affordable housing advocacy. Today, 55 years and 3,000 units of housing later, the Planning Office remains firmly rooted in its mission to create vibrant communities, and work for social justice on behalf of all those who are housing deprived.

POUA currently owns and operates 26 properties, with a total of 1,040 rental units, and 68,199 square feet of commercial office, retail and community space. Currently POUA has two multi-family residential developments under construction with total development budgets of over $125 million and more than 10 other projects in various stages of development. Over the past several years, POUA have completed or made significant progress on key developments in multiple neighborhoods of Boston, as well Brockton, Wayland and other cities and towns in Massachusetts.

Our developments focus on the creation of strong communities where people of economic, racial and ethnic diversity can live with dignity and respect. They are designed to respond to the needs of both our residents and the particular communities in which we build. In some cases, we have redeveloped former church-related properties; in other cases, we have responded to requests from communities, service agencies, or local governments. POUA’s development work includes affordable and mixed- income rental housing, affordable homeownership housing, and housing for vulnerable and at-risk populations. In undertaking this work, POUA has formed partnerships with a variety of other groups, such as the Greater Haverhill Foundation, St. Francis House, Caribbean Integration Community Development, St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children, and Catholic Charities.

The Planning Office is led by a team of experienced affordable housing leaders, who participate in and lead local and national advocacy efforts to increase affordable housing resources, avoid foreclosures, and address homelessness. The CFO will join a team of nine people at the Planning Office. They will report directly to the President. They will collaborate closely with the Asset Manager, Accounting Manager and others on the staff.

Reports to: President

Status: Full-time, exempt

Location: Boston, Massachusetts (Hybrid Schedule)

Organizational Strategy & Results:

• Together with the President, develops the strategy to ensure that the organization has the financial resources needed to achieve its current and future goals, while mitigating financial and operational risk.

• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with key financial partners including funders, investors, partners, government agencies, consultants, and vendors.

   

Financial Management & Reporting:

• Oversees organizational budgeting, accounting and cash management to ensure accurate reporting, interpretation and analysis of financial results in conjunction with forecasts and long range plans
• Manages and supports the preparation of the annual consolidated corporate audit and tax returns
• Oversees the annual corporate consolidated financial statements.
• Oversees and reviews property audits and tax returns prepared by professional services firm.
• Establishes and maintains controls to safeguard assets; documents and recommends improvements to internal financial policies and procedures
• Oversee the development and completion of timely financial statements and reports on transactions and/or information requests.
• Manages and monitors the organization’s cash flow and real estate development capital needs.
• Optimizes the investment of available cash in accordance with the Company’s Investment Policy.
• Supervises the Accounting Manager on day to day operations that includes, but is not limited to, month/year end close, accounts receivable & payable, financial reports, payroll, invoicing, cash receipts and disbursements.
• Maintains various liability and insurance policies.

Real Estate Development & Asset Management:

• Works collaboratively with the Asset Manager and Real Estate staff to review potential acquisitions, debt, equity and public subsidy proposals and partnership/operating agreements.
• Reviews key legal agreements, including mortgages, loan documents, subordination agreement and guarantees as part of a financing and construction loan closing that may involve Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Historic Tax Credits, New Markets Tax Credits, bond financing, public subsidies and contracts, and/or private debt.
• Works with the Asset Manager to monitor the financial performance of the existing portfolio, including current year performance, budgeting, and capital needs, to identify candidates for disposition, recapitalization, or refinancing.
• Works with the Asset Manager to ensure compliance and manage relationships with investors and lenders for POUA’s affordable housing and commercial portfolio.

Qualifications:

• At least 10 years of demonstrated relevant finance and accounting experience, with at least five years’ experience in a senior or executive level capacity, with both technical and management proficiency in operations of a real estate development organization.
• BA or MBA in Finance or Accounting required, other additional relevant advanced degree and/or certification, such as a CFA or CPA, CPA preferred.
• Knowledge and experience with real estate accounting and finance, preferably in affordable multi-family housing and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit portfolios.
• Use of collaborative and facilitative approach and the flexibility to work with broad range of cultures, personalities, and work styles.
• Commitment to community development, helping low income communities and strong work ethic and understanding of nonprofit business models.
• Professional demeanor and willingness to cooperatively participate on a team in a mission-based organization.
• Ability to demonstrate the greatest level of flexibility in an environment with frequently changing priorities required to meet the needs of POUA’s internal and external customers.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare clear, accurate, well-organized written and financial reports and to communicate verbally in an effective and concise manner.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, accounting software programs, and network administration.
• Supervisory experience required.

Compensation:

Competitive Salary. Excellent benefits package that includes medical, dental, 14 paid holidays, PTO (4 weeks) & sick leave, life insurance, 4% match contribution to 401(k), and bonus potential. POUA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.