CFO or VP of Finance
About Ava Community Energy
Ava Community Energy (Ava), Formerly East Bay Community Energy, is a Joint Powers Authority comprising Alameda County and its incorporated areas, and the cities of Lathrop, Stockton, and Tracy. Ava’s charter is to provide its customers with low carbon, cost-effective electricity that integrates innovative energy products and maximizes local benefits through the development of local solutions, ranging from increasing access to rooftop solar to supporting the adoption of electric vehicles.
Culture and Commitment to Diversity
Ava believes in a vibrant culture that supports and nurtures a workplace that offers every individual the opportunity to attain professional goals and contribute to accomplishing our mission. We foster a culture of open communication, responsibility, curiosity, accountability, and teamwork. We want creative problem solvers that are excited to work in an entrepreneurial environment and grow our organization!
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce that is reflective of our service area’s rich culture and communities. We welcome a diversity of experiences, perspectives, and skills.
We strongly encourage people of all characteristics to apply and prohibit unlawful discrimination and harassment of any type based on age, religion, color, gender identity or expression, race, ancestry, or national origin, religion or creed, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or characteristics, and those with a disability as protected by federal, state and local laws.
Position Summary
Ava Community Energy is seeking a full-time Chief Financial Officer (CFO) or VP of Finance reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The ideal candidate will play a pivotal role in managing our agency’s structured finance, financial operations and controls, and providing leadership in the overall growth, management, and strategic planning of the agency's financial health. This position has direct responsibility for planning, implementing, and managing all aspects of Avaʼs Finance department, including structured finance, debt/credit management, financial planning & analysis, budgeting, accounting & controls, and treasury management.
Position Details
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Finance and Accounting
Management of a team with at least six staff members
Serve as Treasurer to Ava Community Energy, overseeing management of the balance sheet and disbursement of funds
Oversight of FP&A, accounting & controls, and credit & banking relationships
Oversight of the structured finance team, including complex commercial partnerships and capital raise efforts
Responsible for evaluating existing accounting controls, providing strategic oversight of accounting decisions, and overseeing the annual audit process
Oversight of investment policy and management of 3rd party investment manager
Support asset ownership strategic decision-making and own the financing initiatives associated with ownership
Responsible for reviewing and signing off on monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
Ensure timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial trends and forecasts, and monthly financial statements/reports.
Oversee and ensure adequate controls for AP/invoice processes and directly review and approve cash disbursements
Evaluate our working capital needs and stress test Ava’s balance sheet
Cultivate and maintain credit relationships to ensure adequate credit facility, currently sized at $200MM
Evaluate debt-related conflicts in existing credit agreements and optimize credit rating decisions
Prepare presentations and financial metrics for review by credit rating agencies and other financial stakeholders as may be requested/warranted
Manage relationships with Avaʼs 3rd party accounting and audit firms
Oversee the annual financial audit
Policies, Procedures, and Compliance
Ensure policies and procedures are developed and implemented for each functional area
Monitor and ensure effective internal controls are in place to safeguard assets and ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations
Participate in energy, credit, and enterprise risk management oversight and activities
Identify, develop, and implement best practice improvements to processes and procedures to achieve meaningful results, greater productivity, efficiency, and consistency
Leadership
Collaborate with the CEO and key stakeholders in managing and optimizing Ava revenue streams and implementing appropriate finance and fiscal spending policies
Participate in the development and implementation of organization-wide policies and programs that will contribute to its overall success
Work closely with and present robust financial information and data to the Board of Directors, supporting strategic and informed decision-making
Collaborate with Human Resources and leadership in strategic planning related to staffing and employee development
Other duties as assigned
Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, or equivalent
MBA, CFA, or CPA certifications are desirable but not required
Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience, including increasing responsibilities in the finance function
Extensive experience managing people and complex processes
Thorough knowledge of accounting and financial procedures and understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
Knowledge of and experience with public agencies, energy, electricity rates, and rate setting/forecasting are highly desired
Experience in managing debt and project financing activities
Ability to establish and cultivate strong relationships with internal and external parties
Experience and comfort presenting to the board of directors and senior leadership
Track record of developing, reviewing, and revamping, as necessary, organization policies and procedures related to internal controls and external compliance
Previous experience working with outside auditors and implementing financial controls
The intelligence, energy, intellectual range, and care in judgment that are necessary to be an effective adviser to the CEO and the Board on individual decisions and on the overall quality of Ava Community Energy operations
Ability to work from Ava’s headquarters in Oakland, near BART. Ava's team has a hybrid approach inclusive of in-office and remote work. Ava staff is expected to go into the office on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the first Wednesday of the month. Remote work will be considered for this position, with a minimum office attendance requirement (monthly)
Compensation and Benefits
The annual salary for this position is between $298,531 and $367,819, with a total annual compensation of up to $343,310 or $422,993 based on performance.
Ava offers a generous benefits package which includes:
Zero cost Individual, family, and domestic partner health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
Life and AD&D, EAP, STD, and LTD
Retirement with Employer Matching
Social Security deferment plan
Paid Time Off and Holidays
Commuter Benefits
Fertility & Adoption Benefits
Pet Insurance
Mental Health Support
Flexible Spending Accounts (health and dependent care accounts)
Paid Volunteer Days
And More!
Location and Working Conditions
This position will be based in Ava headquarters in Oakland, near BART. Ava's team has a hybrid approach inclusive of in-office and remote work. This role is expected to go into the office Tuesdays, Thursdays and the first Wednesday of the month. Remote work will be considered for this position, with a minimum office attendance requirement (monthly). We are not providing sponsorships currently.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Ava is dedicated to reasonably accommodate an applicant for known physical or mental disabilities so that the applicant may participate in the application process. We will engage in a timely, good-faith interactive process with any employee with a known physical or mental disability to identify potential reasonable accommodations, if any, to enable the employee to perform the essential functions of their position.
General office environment is primarily sedentary work which requires the following physical activities: standing, sitting, walking, reaching, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, repetitive motions, talking, hearing and visual acuity.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
The noise level is usually moderate.
This role will be expected to travel to and attend meetings, including board meetings, that may be held offsite.
Licenses/Certificates
CPA certification is a plus
Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class “C” California driver's license and a safe driving record or the ability to provide alternate transportation.
Working at Ava Community Energy
Ava is committed to complying with applicable laws, including the Americans with Disability Act and Fair Employment and Housing Act, ensuring equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with a disability. Ava prohibits unlawful discrimination based on age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), genetic information or characteristics, gender identity, gender expression, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, or on any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local laws. Ava strives to maintain a COVID-free workplace, being fully vaccinated is a condition of employment (exemptions will be evaluated by legal counsel).
The information contained herein has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. The information also does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract, and these provisions are subject to change.